shutter speed (systems and processes)

Shutter speed is one of the major aspects of photography, it is central to the creative process and getting it right can be the making of a fantastic photograph. We have been asked to give examples of our work to show our understanding of the effects of shutter speed.

Example One



The first image has a shutter speed of 0.3sec, making the model, who was walking towards the camera, blurry and indistinct. This works well on this photograph as it gives the image an ethereal, ghostly feel. I have since discovered that there is a local legend of the ghost of a white lady seen at this very spot!

The 2nd image is taken at 1/60sec, not particularly quick but still quick enough to freeze the movement of the model. Even though it is a similar image in that the model is walking through the shot, she is sharp, her dress is frozen in the moment and it gives the shot an entirely different feel to the first photograph.

Example 2




The first image has a shutter speed of 2 seconds, showing my friend creating circles with a lightsabre, the definition and the sense of movement are only possible because of the long shutter speed.

The 2nd image is taken at 1/50th of a second and, although the movement, position and conditions are exactly the same, the image is completely different, it has almost frozen the lightsabre half-way through the movement and shows nothing of the dynamics of the first image.

Shutter speeds are a fantastic way of experimenting with light and movement to create different effects and are something that every photographer should understand.