Shutter Speed- Photographing movement

Shutter speed is not only a function of the camera that is used to capture the exposed image it is also used to " freeze " the motion/speed of the image.

Shutter speed is measured in 1/100's of a second. Some examples

Slow 1/25, 1/30, 1/60

Medium 1/100 1/150 1/250

Fast 1/500 1/1000 1/1500

Lighting conditions will effect the level at which you can set your shutter speed as you require good lighting conditions to achieve a fast shutter speed. It is therefore important to assess the lighting conditions first when planning your shutter speed.

As shutter speed can " freeze" the action in an image you must select the appropriate shutter speed for your subject. If you are at a sporting event and want to capture the action then you would require a fast shutter speed. If you were photographing a runner then you would want them to appear sharp and would not expect to see them as a blur in your final image. Shutter speeds over 1/250 should be adequate to freeze a moving object in you image. As the shutter is moving quickly across the senor it is more likely that you will have to have the wider to allow for a correct exposure level.

Project- Freezing action

using a fast shutter speed and studio flash to capture the moment of the splash . Shutter speed was set at 1/500 sec to freeze the movement.

Project-capturing movement for effect

Using slow shutter speeds can create the feeling of movement in an image by blurring the moving object. Used in conjunction of a tripod, this can create some dramatic images. This image was taken at sunset at 1/2 sec at f8. Often you have to way up the value of the level of blur against the ideal exposure levels. It is important to ensure that the exposure level is correct as well as capturing the movement for effect.



This image was taken late at night on the southbank. I used a slow shutter speed of 1 second to freeze the movement of the London Eye wheel. The blur shows the shape and the movement of the wheel. The image was taken on a tripod

Taken in studio tungsten lighting of a dancer spinning with ribbons. The slow shutter speed blurs the effect of the spinning and creates a dramatic effect

Exercise- capturing movement.

the same image taken at different shutter speeds, note the level of blur on each image.

f 1/2sec f 5.6

1/10sec f5.6












1/25 sec f5.6

unfortunately due to lack of lighting i could not take the shutter speed any faster but 1/60sec and above

OUTCOME

Noted the change in levels of blur when movement is slowed. Also noted the level of sharpness as aperture sometimes had to be widened. Note that tripod required for some shots as light might be limited and shutter speeds may be very slow and can not be hand held

LEARNING NOTES/COMMENTS

PANNING EXERCISE STILL OUTSTANDING.