Shutter speed in photography is one of the essential concepts to understand, forming, along with aperture and ISO, the foundation of the Exposure Triangle.
In combination with the aperture, shutter speed regulates the correct amount of light needed to achieve a well-exposed photograph.
Among the three elements of the exposure triangle, shutter speed has the greatest impact on the final result. Adjusting the shutter speed can lead to completely different outcomes.
In addition to its key role in exposure, shutter speed influences motion, a crucial element for capturing the desired image.
In this guide, we will explore how to manage shutter speed in photography, how the final result changes when using a slow or fast shutter speed, common mistakes to avoid, and the best shutter speeds for the most popular photography genres.
What is shutter speed in photography?
Remember, Shutter Speed, along with Aperture and ISO, forms the photographic exposure triangle. Together, these three settings determine the final exposure (EV) of a photograph.
In digital cameras, the sensor is covered by a thin “curtain” that controls the amount of light passing through the lens. This “curtain” is called the shutter.
Shutter speed in photography refers to the time the camera’s shutter stays open, allowing light to hit the sensor. The longer the shutter speed, the more light reaches the sensor.
The key factor that determines the shutter speed is motion. Depending on whether you want your subject to appear sharp and still or to show motion blur, you adjust the shutter speed accordingly.
Photography Tip: One of the best photography tips for beginners is to learn about shutter speed through practical exercises. Experiment with this setting in manual mode and observe how different adjustments affect the final photo.
Understanding the shutter speed values
Shutter speed is measured in seconds or fractions of a second. Most digital cameras allow you to choose an exposure time ranging from 1/4000 of a second to 30 seconds.
Common preset values like 100, 500, or 1000 correspond to shutter speeds of 1/100, 1/500, and 1/1000 of a second, respectively.
In addition to these preset times, cameras also offer “Bulb” or “Time” modes for long exposure photography. In these cases, the shutter speed value is displayed with a second symbol, such as 5”, 20”, or 50”, meaning 5 seconds, 20 seconds, and 50 seconds. Modern mirrorless cameras can even exceed 30 seconds directly from the camera without needing a remote shutter release.
Shutter speed in photography is measured in seconds and fractions of a second, following a sequence like this:
…2″, 1″, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250…
As you move from left to right, the shutter speed becomes faster. For example, 1/2 second means half a second, while 1/1000 means 1/1000th of a second.
The difference between two consecutive shutter speeds is called an exposure stop. Increasing or decreasing by one stop doubles or halves the total exposure time.
For instance, a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second is very fast, freezing the action but letting in less light (< EV, darker image). Here, the shutter is open for just 1/1000th of a second, capturing light only during that brief interval.
On the other hand, a shutter speed of 1” (1 second) is much slower, which can create motion blur while capturing more light (> EV, brighter image). In this case, the shutter remains open for a full second, collecting light over that period.
To summarize with a practical example:
If you’re photographing flowing water and want to capture its motion, use a slower shutter speed (e.g., 1”, 2”). If you want to freeze the flow and make it look sharp, use a faster shutter speed (e.g., 1/125, 1/250).
How shutter speed and exposure are related in photography?
As we’ve seen, using a slower shutter speed (keeping the shutter open longer, allowing more light to pass through) results in a brighter, more exposed photograph (higher exposure).
On the other hand, using a faster shutter speed (keeping the shutter open for a shorter time, allowing less light to pass through) results in a darker, less exposed photograph (lower exposure).
Therefore, the first effect of shutter speed on photography is its impact on exposure.
To balance the exposure triangle and achieve proper exposure, adjustments must be made to the other two components: aperture and ISO.
When to use a fast shutter speed?
Using a fast shutter speed: when and why
A fast shutter speed is used when you need to freeze the motion of your subject, capturing it sharply in the final image. A fast shutter speed lets us freeze the action, allowing us to take sharp photos of subjects moving quickly. A fast shutter speed is great for photographing sports events, action shots, moving animals, and anything that’s moving fast.
Photography Tip: Keep in mind that with a fast shutter speed, less light reaches the sensor. To get a properly exposed image, you’ll need to either increase the ISO or open the aperture. This helps balance the exposure triangle and achieve the correct exposure (EV).
When to use a slow shutter speed?
Long exposure photography
You can use a slow shutter speed (long exposure) to capture more light when needed or to create creative motion effects as desired.
Long exposure refers to photos taken with shutter speeds slower than about 1/10 of a second. In these situations, always use a tripod to avoid blurry photos.
Photography Tip and Tricks: In a still daytime landscape with no moving subjects, if you need to increase the exposure value (EV) to capture more light, consider using a slower shutter speed (e.g., going from 1/120 of a second to 1/15 of a second). This way, you maintain the same depth of field since you haven’t changed the aperture (f), and you’ll keep digital noise low because the ISO remains at a low value (e.g., ISO 100).
As you can see, longer shutter speeds are ideal for capturing non-moving subjects like natural landscapes or stationary objects.
Shutter speed in night photography and astrophotography
Another scenario where you can use a slow shutter speed is night photography and astrophotography, capturing the Milky Way, the Northern Lights, stars, the Moon, and more.
In these cases, you’re shooting in low-light conditions, and by setting a long shutter speed (long exposure), you can compensate for the darkness of the sky and achieve a well-exposed photograph.
Dive deeper into the world of +++ Long Exposure Photography +++ and unlock your creative potential!
Shutter speed and motion
Shutter speed isn’t just about controlling exposure, it’s also the key to capturing motion in your photography.
Using a slower shutter speed allows you to create a sense of motion in your subject. Movement in photography is an essential element; it can convey the idea that the subject is moving, blur parts of the image for artistic purposes, or even remove moving elements and distractions from the frame.
Long exposures can also produce stunning creative effects. For example, photographing moving light sources can result in striking light trails, such as the headlights of cars on a winding road.
One popular effect in landscape photography is the “silk effect.” This technique uses long shutter speeds (often achieved with ND filters) to make water in rivers, oceans, or lakes appear soft and flowing, adding a sense of motion to the scene.
By adjusting your shutter speed, either slower or faster, you can capture a scene as static or dynamic, a concept in photography often referred to as motion.
Photography Tip: When taking long exposure shots, ensure your camera remains perfectly still. Use a sturdy tripod, a remote shutter release, or set your camera’s timer to avoid any contact with the camera that could cause vibrations. This will help prevent blurriness and keep your images sharp.
Shutter speed and camera shake
Safe shutter speeds: How to avoid blurry photos
When taking long exposure shots, it’s essential to avoid camera shake or movement that could ruin the sharpness of your image. The shutter speed, combined with the focal length, determines whether you can shoot handheld or if you’ll need a tripod. The longer the focal length, the faster the shutter speed needs to be to prevent blur.
The general rule for handheld shooting is that your shutter speed should not be slower than the reciprocal of your focal length:
- with a 50mm lens, use at least 1/50 of a second
- with a 100mm lens, use at least 1/100 of a second
- with a 500mm lens, use at least 1/500 of a second
These guidelines are for full-frame cameras. If you’re using a smaller sensor, remember to account for the crop factor and adjust your shutter speed accordingly.
However, several factors can influence this rule. For example:
- Sensor density: Cameras with higher megapixel sensors are more prone to micro-blur
- Environmental conditions: Wind or vibrations during shooting can affect sharpness
Photography Tip: For maximum sharpness and image quality, always use a sturdy tripod and set a shutter release timer or use a remote shutter release to eliminate camera shake.
What is the best shutter speed in photography?
Choosing the right shutter speed: It depends on your vision
I’m sorry to say, but there isn’t a “best” shutter speed, it all depends on what you want to photograph, the lighting conditions, and the creative result you’re aiming for. There’s no right or wrong value, only your vision of the scene in front of you.
That said, here are some general guidelines to help you get started:
Wildlife and Sports Photography: Use fast shutter speeds to freeze the motion of your subject and keep it sharp.
Night and Astro Photography: Choose slow shutter speeds (long exposure) to let more light reach the sensor and achieve proper exposure in low-light conditions.
Motion Effects in Photography: The shutter speed depends on the speed of the elements you want to blur. For example, to capture the flow of water in a fast-moving waterfall, a shutter speed of around 1” might work best. Instead, if you want to create the motion effect of clouds, which move much more slowly, you’ll need a shutter speed of 1 minute or longer.
Photography Tip: Always balance the exposure triangle (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO) to achieve the correct exposure (EV). And remember, the best way to ensure your photo is properly exposed is to always check the histogram!
How to adjust the shutter speed in your camera (M or S mode)
To set the shutter speed on a camera, you can use one of the following methods:
- Manual Mode (M): In manual mode, you can manually adjust the shutter speed after setting the ISO and aperture to achieve your desired exposure. This mode gives you full control, requiring you to adjust both the aperture and shutter speed.
- Shutter Speed Priority (S Mode): In Shutter Speed Priority mode, you manually set the shutter speed while the camera automatically calculates the aperture and ISO (if set to Auto ISO). If ISO is set manually, the camera will adjust only the aperture based on your chosen shutter speed.
For those using Aperture Priority (A Mode), the process is reversed: you choose the aperture value, and the camera determines the appropriate shutter speed to balance the exposure triangle.
Photography Tips and Tricks: When photographing a daytime landscape without wanting to create motion effects, it’s best to keep your camera in Aperture Priority mode (A mode). This allows you to select the aperture and control the depth of field based on how you want to compose the scene. Always set the ISO manually to the lowest native value your camera allows (usually ISO 50 or ISO 100). By doing this, you can quickly adjust the exposure using the exposure compensation dial. The camera will automatically change the shutter speed to balance the exposure triangle, ensuring proper exposure.
For example:
- If the highlights in your image are overexposed (blown out), decrease the exposure compensation by 1 or 2 stops (-1, -2, etc.).
- If the shadows are too dark (underexposed), increase the exposure compensation by 1 or 2 stops or whatever adjustment is needed to achieve a balanced exposure.
In night photography or when you want to take long exposures, you should always shoot in M mode (Manual mode).
Shutter speed photography examples
Slow shutter speed examples
Best Shutter Speed for Milky Way Photography (Long Exposure Photography)
120 sec, f2.8, ISO 1200 (tracked)
Best Shutter Speed for Northern Lights Photography (Long Exposure Photography)
3 sec, f2.8, ISO 5000
Best Shutter Speed for Landscape Photography (Capturing the Motion with ND filters)
40 sec, f11, ISO 100 + 10-Stop ND filter
Fast shutter speed examples
Best Shutter Speed for Aerial Photography
1/2000 sec, f2.8, ISO 400
Best Shutter Speed for Wildlife and Bird Photography
1/4000 sec, f4, ISO 1600
Best Shutter Speed for Sport Photography
1/2000 sec, f5, ISO 200
Best Shutter Speed for Portail Photography
1/1600 sec, f5, ISO 200
Conclusion
Shutter speed in photography mainly affects two things: exposure and movement.
The best way to truly understand how shutter speed works is to experiment in different lighting conditions and try to create motion effects. For example, try changing the shutter speed in front of a flowing river and see how the final result changes. Another experiment you can do is photograph a person running with both fast and slow shutter speeds. You can also do this at night, set your camera to “M mode” (manual), change only the shutter speed, shoot at 1″ and then try 30″ (without changing aperture and ISO), and notice how the brightness in the photo changes. Then, play with the other two elements of the exposure triangle (aperture and ISO) to find the right exposure.
After reading the theory and seeing examples of shutter speeds, the best way to understand how shutter speed works in photography is to put all this knowledge into practice. Experiment with different shutter speeds and creatively use movement to take your photography to the next level.
