What should be the shutter speed? Short and long exposure in photography

27.07.2019 Design and interior

In this article, how to use a camera to ‘stop time’ on pictures.

When photographing moving objects, it is possible to ‘stop’ them with the help of a photograph and see all the dynamics of movement at ‘stop pause’. Such pictures almost always look very interesting and unusual, since in real time the human eye does not see what can be seen in the freeze frame.

Colored in warm yellow shades. Damn the heel of the photograph on the left. For such a highly geometric composition, this is a pretty big mistake, and you need to be careful. The second is included and divided directly in accordance with the textbook on composition. It also has a wonderful bright atmosphere with fog and clear and vibrant colors. However, the light of the setting sun is also present in the image. Exposure is usually in hundredths or tenths of a second. And those who have already photographed the stars know that the stars of such long stars, as they are in the picture, can be formed in tens of minutes.

The easiest way to get ‘freeze’ or ‘ stops‘Movements in photographs are use short   shutter. Short means that the subject is fixed for one short moment. The easiest way to achieve a short one is to shoot in priority mode. This mode is usually referred to as ‘S’ or ‘TV’. For the maximum effect of stopping time, just select the minimum possible exposure. For modern SLR cameras, this is usually 1/4000 s or 1/8000 s. In this mode, the time in fractions of a second is set, during which the image will be fixed.

Just a very beautiful "artificial" landscape. Carousels and other exhibition venues are one of the most popular historical themes with long expositions. The left, more realistic, has a kinetic element only on the left. Difficultly we see the interconnection of two forms: a circle on the left and a rectangle on the right. A clearly wilder pattern of red, white and green lines offers a second shot.

If the static and thus realistic bottom of the photo is not an ordinary viewer, he does not even know what photography is. The only funny picture made on this issue is the act. A narrow vertical streak of light gradually illuminated the same model, shifted in the composition on the sides. This luminographic trick allows you to propagate the same person or object in a photograph. Absolutely balanced symmetrical composition using the odd count rule.


Such a simple method works very well when there is a lot of light and / or when it is possible to use a fast lens. For example, in the image above, ISO 100 and F / 1.8 were enough to get a short shutter speed of 1/800 second and freeze the moth's flight. But most often, it’s not enough light, then the lens doesn’t have high light. Therefore, to achieve the effect of stopping time, you should increase the ISO values.

Where the middle figure is also emphasized by stronger lighting and eye contact of the model. As a winner, I finally chose this frantic, delicately colored landscape photograph. Compositionally flawless image with a dominant tree and a bridge in the upper right third. Ideal is a large number of small orange and yellow colored Valerian. Just a beautiful romantic autumn with a light morning fog in the background. And, like the author’s previous photo, he’ll probably be a computer collage of several shots.


The movement was stopped in this case by increasing the ISO sensitivity to 1250. A ‘dark’ lens with F / 5.6 was used.

It’s easier to freeze motion if the camera has an automatic ISO control in shutter priority mode. For example, on all modern Nikon central control centers, you can set the function for the modes. In shutter priority mode, the camera will select the minimum ISO sensitivity to provide the desired exposure for a short one. For example, in the photo below, I shot in this mode.

Although this time is not so difficult. And especially realistic. However, this waste water requires at least 60 seconds. But for a long time the movement will be blurred on the leaves on the trees, as well as on some branches. Thus, a winning photograph is not so much the difference between the reality of the human eye and the camera, even if it is here. But mainly about how the photographer wanted to see him on the computer. Just photographic maximalism in digital time. We remind you that the July issue of the Professional Eye series is What is happening in the grass.


Auto ISO. On the camera, I set the value to 1/2500 seconds, and the camera independently selected the aperture and ISO value so that it was possible to get a correctly exposed picture with such a short shutter speed

But if there is no auto ISO function for the modes, for example, like mine, it’s enough to manually select the ISO value in the shutter priority mode so that the meter indicates zero deviation from the norm.

Second: without filters you cannot do this

This is evidenced by a professional photographer Pavel Krasensky. The mirror function can also be useful, but if this camera does not know, it does not matter. The question arises from the camera: how to extend the exposure?

Third, how to determine the correct impact

  With a very dark gray filter, the camera can no longer measure exposure. There are many similar applications, you can also use a simple spreadsheet.

Fourth tip: he needs a remote trigger and a stopwatch

Since the exposure time is more than 30 seconds, you no longer use the self-timer. To control the camera “remotely” with the ability to capture more than 30 seconds, the cable is best suited. In my gear, this is probably the most common with a lock. If your camera does not offer a display or exposure time calculation, be sure to stop or another timer.


Dove in flight. Manually selected ISO 1800 value for correct when using a very short shutter speed of 1/8000 second.

The most pronounced effect is obtained when using the shortest shutter speeds that are acceptable on the camera. For example, 1/4000 s or 1/8000 s.

Fifth tip: don't underestimate the tripod!

This important photographic assistance is often underestimated.

Tip seven: he wants the right conditions

  These conditions can greatly simplify the scene, because the fog, for example, is hidden from the opposite bank, distant houses or other objects that are usually read in the scanned scene.

Upper conditions happen when the sun fights through thick fog! The whole scene is then blurred by a beautiful soft light, and the future picture becomes even more mysterious. It is important that the sun is not too intense, and the fog or low cloud does not shine too much. As soon as flickering shadows begin to form, this is no longer the case.

You can get a short shutter speed in priority mode and in manual mode and in program mode. I can easily use everything to achieve a short shutter speed, but this requires a very long description. In short I will say that it is very easy for me to get a short excerpt:

  • In M mode (manual mode) using maximum aperture and auto ISO
  • In mode A (AV priority), using the maximum aperture and automatic ISO value for which the maximum shutter speed is set from 1/1000 to 1/4000 second.
  • In P mode (program mode), using the function, the automatic ISO value for which the maximum shutter speed is set from 1/1000 to 1/4000 seconds.


Compared to standard landscape photography, you should notice absolutely banal, sometimes disturbing or even unsightly elements. Against all logic, these “unsightly and banal” elements constitute the dominant element of minimalist black and white photographs.

Ninth: the most important thing is how to take a picture?

The exposure length should be checked on the camera counter or, for example, with a stopwatch.

Tip # 10: how to edit images

  We must keep the remote start all the time. . This is an extremely powerful tool that works in most photo editing programs. Most of the time you can get a two-dimensional photo of the movement. Suppose it is pleasantly windy. And you want to accept this feeling of wind, instability and movement in the photo, so that each viewer feels that the wind is felt on his face.

Short-exposure sparrow in flight. The value for some reason is not displayed in.

Another easy way to stop time is to use flash. With the flash, it’s very easy to stop moving when shooting in low light conditions. In this case, you do not need to use short shutter speeds of the camera, even 1/60 of a second is enough. This is due to the fact that the freezing of a moving object occurs due to the reflected light of the flash. The flash duration of a flash is very, very short. For example, my Nikon has a light pulse duration of 1/1 equal to 1/880 seconds. And if you set equal to 1/128 of the total flash power, then the pulse duration will be only 1 / 38.500 seconds. With increasing flash power, the duration of the light pulse increases. Since when shooting in low-light conditions, virtually all the light comes only from the flash, the flash plays a decisive role in creating the picture. This means that using the flash you can freeze objects at a speed of flesh up to 1 / 40,000 seconds. This is a very short time, with the help of such technology you can take incredibly interesting pictures with a stop of time.

Or maybe you are on a trip to the castle and you will like a beautiful photo of the castle without people. Long-term exposure can be a good solution for this situation, because as long as they remain in motion, the resulting picture will practically disappear. Camera with fully manual mode. And just for a long time. However, the usual lighting conditions are not such that you can easily set the exposure in the order of units or tens of seconds, that movement can catch on the sensor. You can wait until it gets dark, but probably at this time he is unlikely to blow, or he will lead you out of the castle garden.

Freeze flash water in low light conditions. Despite the slow shutter speed (1/80 s), the very short flash duration allowed the water to freeze completely. Flash and camera in manual control mode.

But this is enough for a slight blur of running water. For the filter, it is recommended to create a table with recalculated time values, so you do not need to calculate the correct equivalent for each situation. For such a long time, you absolutely need a tripod, and for best results, use a trigger or remote control so that the camera does not shake. If you are shooting a mirror, you need something to close your eyebrow during exposure. It may sound like a dick, but vice versa.

If the eyepiece is not closed, spurious light will fall into it, which will completely ruin the photo. He pounced on the back of his head and fired from a photograph when a small Persian group fell from the mighty Spartan army at Thermopylae. More expensive and professional devices have “something” built into the eyes. Devices for ordinary people, unfortunately, fall into the DIY category, so you have some advice.

But in conditions with normal illumination, the flash will be practically useless for stopping time. In conditions with good lighting, the shutter speed plays a key role. And even if the flash supports, nothing special will come of it. If you delve into the details, then when shooting at fast shutter speeds, for example, for 1/4000 second using the high-speed synchronization mode, due to the strobe effect, the picture itself can only get worse.

This is not a high-tech idea worthy of today's advanced times, but it will definitely be better than holding a rag with your hands.


A few excerpts will help you automate the process, but then it happens without the slightest hesitation. Some filters, although labeled “neutral,” are not completely neutral. They usually have a greater or lesser shade of color. But this is not insurmountable. With an attached filter, you simply export white manually.

In fact, super short shutter speeds of 1/4000 s, 1/8000 s, 1 / 16,000 s are not always needed. Very often, only 1/200 s is enough to catch an object in motion, as in the photo below:

Well, then just remember somewhere between the points and set the user-weighted “white”. Sometimes, when there is little natural light, times are very long - in minutes. However, most cameras provide shutter speeds up to 30 seconds. If the calculated time is longer, you have two options: either use a more durable filter with half a mile, or the bulb time. This works by opening the shutter the first time you press the shutter button and turning off the second shutter release. However, this is a small complication - you must have an additional time indicator with you - a clock or stopwatch on your phone.

Little bee over poppy flowers. Taken only 1/200 second, nevertheless, the bee ‘is frozen’ in motion

Reporting photographers who shoot sports are well aware of how to shoot at short exposures, it is very important to convey the dynamics of movement there. To get more interesting short exposure photos, I recommend.


In today's landscape photography, we will show you how best to collect background images for a panorama, introduce complications associated with capturing photos, and we learn to avoid them. Having studied the features of panoramic photography in the previous section and finding out what equipment and software we need for this kind of photography, we can look at a more interesting part of the background image.

How to prepare and capture background photos. So, how do I get started with panoramic photography? Let's say you are somewhere in the mountains, beautiful landscapes are visible in front of you, and you want to put all this in one photo. It takes about an hour and a half to get into the sunset, so you have a lot of time to prepare, think and plan everything so that the resulting photo meets your expectations.

Cheerful cat. ‘Caught’ in 1/1250 seconds

Conclusions:

For interesting photos with stop (freeze) time just use short exposures   on the camera. Slow shutter speeds are achieved with good illumination, fast lenses and high ISO speeds. In low light conditions, you can freeze the movement with the flash.

Rotate the camera vertically and check the view of the lens through the viewfinder. This often sees the scene differently than your eye, and therefore you need to make sure that the scene contains everything that it has and that no mountain shields are outside the field of view of the lens.

Here you will find the best song! Only when you have chosen it, you mark the place, go for the tripod and others. At the same time, at my feet there was a small waterfall emerging from the stream that connected one mountain boulder. I was wondering how to do it all in one shot. As soon as you find the optimal composition, you are installing a tripod and head at that moment. Laying a tripod is critical for panoramic photography. It is important that the tripod is ready horizontally! If the tripod is equipped with a special level, use it and set the setting to make sure that it will provide a horizontal base without any tilt.

Click on buttons   social networks ↓ —   for me. Thanks for attention. Arkady Shapoval.

Shutter speed is the same as shutter speed. This is a very interesting tool that allows you to control blur and create interesting effects. It is very important for anyone, even a novice photographer, to learn how to work with shutter speed.

If you do not, the camera will not rotate horizontally, and the resulting panoramic photo will be “from the hill” or “hill”. Although you can change this phenomenon, you get additional work. If your tripod does not have a spirit level, you can set the external photographic level on the tripod, which you buy for several crowns in each photo studio.

If you use a classic head, its settings are not complicated. That is, you will search for a point without parallax. When you have a tripod and the head is ready, turn on the camera, connect the cable trigger, and then view the viewfinder through the viewfinder.

It would seem that in photography you need to focus on creativity, and not on technical nuances, but this is not so. It is knowledge of the technical features that will allow you to get great pictures, and exposure is a creative tool that, moreover, affects the quality of the photo.


Shutter speed (shutter speed), along with aperture and ISO, are the three main tools that determine exposure. These parameters also affect the sharpness of the picture and allow you to get various creative effects.

Exposure is a very useful tool. Learning how to work with it, you can get amazing pictures.

What is shutter speed or shutter speed?

There is a shutter in front of the camera’s matrix that blocks light from entering the photosensitive sensor. During shooting, this shutter opens, light enters the sensor and the shutter closes again. Exposure determines how long the shutter remains open.


A high shutter speed means that it will open and close very quickly. The shutter speed is short, as it is not open for long. The slow shutter speed indicates that the shutter will be open for a long time, and therefore the shutter speed will be slow.

Exposure Measurement?

The exposure time is considered in seconds. For example, 1/100 means a hundred shutter will open 1/100 a split second or 0.01 second. Many cameras have a wide shutter speed range. Most often, it varies from 1/2000 to 30 seconds. Exposure is both longer and shorter. Most SLR cameras have a “Bulb” mode. In this mode, the shutter will open as long as necessary.

How to choose the best shutter speed?

Automatic camera mode can evaluate the shooting conditions and choose the shutter speed yourself. Automation solution may not always be optimal. The picture may be blurry.


In order to control everything yourself, you need to switch to manual mode, but in this mode you need to know the following:

Camera shake

When shooting handheld, the camera will shake slightly and move. It is impossible to stand perfectly still. If the shutter speed is too long, such shaking will appear in the picture as blur or blur.


When shooting handheld, the camera trembles. To avoid blur, you need to slow down the shutter speed or use a tripod.

To eliminate blur and shake in the pictures, you need to reduce the shutter speed. Long focal length lenses should have a faster shutter speed to get a sharp shot. There is a formula by which you can determine the shutter speed at which the picture will be unlearned clear. You should use a shutter speed of 1s / fr, where fr is the focal length of the lens. For example, if you are photographing at a focal length of 200 mm, then the shutter speed should be 1/200 second, a 50 mm lens will give the most sharp shots at a shutter speed of 1 / 50sec or less. Thus, we can conclude that the larger the focal length of the lens, the shorter the shutter speed should be to obtain an optimally sharp picture.

Slow Motion Shutter

Blurring happens if you move the camera at that time. when the shutter is still open. Thus, you can get interesting pictures. For example, a photograph of a moving car will transmit the dynamics of motion. In order for the car to turn out sharp and the background blurry, the camera needs to be moved after the car at the same speed. This is called wiring. Or vice versa, you can get a sharp background and blurry moving objects.


Different shutter speeds can both freeze the movement of objects and make it blurry. Use blur to get creative effects. Ondra Soukup Photos

To avoid blur, you need to set a slower shutter speed. This means that with the shutter open, less movement will be recorded. With a sufficiently short exposure time, the movement can be completely frozen.

Snapshot exposure

When working with shutter speed, it is worthwhile to ensure that the exposure is correctly built in the scene. The shutter speed should be such as to make the picture normally lit. If the shutter speed is too slow, the photo may turn out to be overexposed (overexposed). If the shutter speed is too slow, the picture may be too dark (underexposed).


Correct exposure is achieved by choosing the best shutter speed and aperture and ISO settings.

To control the exposure, it is worth using not only shutter speed, but also the aperture and ISO sensitivity.

Using creative effects

Slow shutter speeds can create interesting creative effects.

Long exposure, up to several minutes, can create a unique type of crowd movement, flowing water or traces of headlights in the dark.


Slow shutter speeds can create misty water. This effect looks very interesting and dynamic.

A short shutter speed allows you to capture one instant in the movement of the object. It can be a flying bird or a running person or spray of water. It is not easy to get such a picture, but by learning how to set up the camera and take similar shots, the result will certainly please you.


A very short shutter speed allows you to freeze the movement.

For experiments with exposure there is no limit. Try taking pictures in fully manual mode or shutter priority mode. By changing the parameters and trying something that you have not tried before, you will achieve interesting results.