SPEED MATTERS Basic Photography Class Mass Communication Department Ateneo de Davao University Bong S. Eliab
Jan 11, 2015
SPEED MATTERS Basic Photography Class
Mass Communication Department Ateneo de Davao University
Bong S. Eliab
What is a shutter speed?
§ shutter speed is the time for which the shutter is held open during the taking of a photograph to allow light to reach the film (on analog cameras) or image sensor (on digital cameras)
Regulates Light
§ In combination with variation of the lens aperture, the shutter speed regulates how much light the camera will record.
Shutter Speed & Aperture § For a given exposure, a
fast shutter speed demands a larger aperture or more light to avoid under-exposure, just as a slow shutter speed is offset by a very small aperture to avoid over-exposure.
§ Long shutter speeds are often used in low light conditions, such as at night.
Shutter Speed and Aperture
Iris Shutter Mechanism
Plate Mechanism
dSLRs Mechanism
Where to find the shutter speed dials
dSLRs LCD Display
Freeze Action vs. Capture Motion
§ Two main issues:
§ Freeze the subject or the camera movement, or both;
§ Capture the subject’s motion, or camera shake, or both.
Speed Difference § Shot at 1/15th of a
second using a tripod (see how the water makes long soft streaks)
§ Shot at 1/250th (even at this slow speed already it freezes the drops in the air)
Freezing Movement
§ High shutter speeds 'freeze' the subject’s movement as the subject has little time to move during the exposure.
Blue Eagle Gym © Circa 1992
Capturing Moving Colors
A photo of dark street at night (exposure time 20 seconds)
Panning/ Slow Shutter Speed
Slow shutter speed combined with panning the camera can achieve a motion blur for moving objects.
Camera Shake
§ Slow shutter speed can result in 'camera shake', caused by the photographer’s inability to hold the camera still.
§ Generally, shooting at less than 1/60th of a second may result in camera shake. To avoid this, a tripod can be used.
Handheld Rule and Blur
To avoid motion blurring, the shutter speed (in sec. ) should equal the reciprocal of the chosen focal length (in mm), i.e. 1/60sec for 60mm.
Bulb Shutter Speed
Remote Controls
Shutter Speed Speed Remarks
1 1 second, very slow, tripod needed
2 1/2th of a second, tripod needed
4 1/4th of a second, tripod needed
8 1/8th of a second, tripod needed
15 1/15 of a second, tripod/very steady hand needed
30 1/30th of a second, tripod /very steady hand needed
60 Slowest shutter speed that can be handheld with 50 mm lens
Shutter Speed
Speed Remarks 125 1/125, generally handheld
250 1/250
500 1/500
1000 Very fast, freezes all movement
Shutter Speed Combinations
Motion Effect
Nude Photo Exercise © Circa 2005
Sinugba sa Dagat
Sparks coming from coals (exposure time 15 seconds)
JP Laurel Hub 24 hrs
Richard Amora © Davao City 2007
Rorschach Smoke Test
ISO 100, 1/60 sec, f/8
Silky Waterfall
Davao’s Octane Bar
Bong S. Eliab © Davao City 2006
Hinubog Driving
Manila © Circa 2005
Boracay’s Dancing Candle
Bong S. Eliab © Boracay 2007
Sound of Boracay Light
Bong S. Eliab © Boracay 2007