SHUTTER SPEED

Shutter speed — how to depict motion deliberately

Shutter speed determines whether movement is frozen, natural or deliberately blurred. The appropriate value depends on subject speed, direction of movement, focal length, stabilisation and whether you are shooting handheld or on a tripod. Treat the values given as starting points.

Fast shutter speeds: 1/500 s and faster

These are useful for sports, children, birds and dynamic movement. 1/1000 s can freeze a quick gesture or a bird in flight, but very fast sideways movement may require an even faster shutter speed. The cost is less light, so you often need to open the aperture or raise ISO.

Medium shutter speeds: around 1/250–1/60 s

This range suits calmer reportage, portraits and everyday scenes. For handheld shooting, the approximate reciprocal focal length rule is useful: for 50 mm, start at around 1/50 s, and for 200 mm, at around 1/200 s. Stabilisation may allow slower speeds with a stationary subject, but it will not freeze a person’s or vehicle’s movement.

Long exposures: 1 s and longer

Use these when you want to show flowing water, light trails, moving clouds or a night-time atmosphere. A stable tripod and a self-timer or remote release are essential. On a tripod, switch off stabilisation if the camera or lens design requires it, and make sure the ground is stable.

Deliberate blur

Blur is not a mistake if it is intentional. Try panning: follow a moving subject with the camera and start at 1/30–1/60 s. The background will gain dynamism while the subject may remain relatively clear. Take a series of shots — success here depends on movement and practice.

Before pressing the shutter

• decide whether sharpness, movement or a trail matters most,
• check the photograph magnified, not only in a small preview,
• change the shutter speed by one or two stops and compare the results.