Shutter Speed

What is shutter speed?

Shutter speed is the length of time the digital sensor in the camera is exposed to light. Essentially, it is how fast the shutter opens and closes in the camera.

How does shutter speed work technically (in the camera) and visually (in the photo)?

In the camera, shutter speed is the amount of time the digital sensor is exposed to light. Shutter speed alters the speed in which the lens opens and closes, which affects the photo. Visually, a fast shutter speed freezes an action in a photo. However, this lets in less light. A slow shutter speed lets in more light, and creates blurs in the photos from movement. When using any shutter speed at 1/60 seconds or slower, it is necessary to use a tripod or stabilizing surface to steady the camera from any unintended movement or camera shake. This is because any movement will create blurs in the photo due to the extended length of time the shutter is open.

What happens to the exposure triangle when you change your shutter speeds?

When you change your shutter speed, it alters the amount of light let into the camera. A fast shutter speed lets in less light, while a slow shutter speed lets in more light. To balance the light coming into the camera, it is best to change the ISO after changing shutter speed. To compensate for the light lost with a fast shutter speed, the ISO can be increased. Similarly, to compensate for the extra light from a slow shutter speed, the ISO can be decreased. Then, the aperture can be adjusted as needed to balance the light meter.