Vol 2 - Shutter Speed Practice

Last week we learned about the Exposure Triangle, and this week we’re going to build on that by practicing one of those three elements, Shutter Speed!

Shutter speed is how fast your shutter opens and closes, so let’s practice with just that and see what happens! Cameras with manual mode also have other modes that allow for more control, like “Shutter Priority”

On Nikon Cameras this is an “S” on the mode wheel/dial.
On Canon cameras this is “Tv” on the mode wheel/dial.

This setting will let YOU choose the shutter speed and the camera will choose everything else to make a good exposure. Turn your camera to this setting on your camera and go into a room with a fan.

Turn the fan on and pick a slow shutter speed by turning the wheel/dial on your camera, as you turn the wheel you should see the numbers in the viewfinder change.

Turn the wheel until the shutter speed is 40 and take a picture of your fan. You may notice that the blades are blurry like this:

Now turn the wheel to something faster like, 400. Now the blades should be clear.

Play around with these settings and get a feel with how your shutter speed works! You can practice with anything that moves, like water, kids, pets, rain, anything! See how fast you can make your shutter speed before it becomes clear!