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shutter speed
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The aperture and shutter-speed combinations shown below allow the same amount of light to enter the camera but result in different images. Smaller apertures extend the zone of sharp focus, and slow shutter speeds show blurred movement.
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shutter speed

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Quick Summary

The aperture and shutter-speed combinations shown below allow the same amount of light to enter the camera but result in different images. Smaller apertures extend the zone of sharp focus, and slow shutter speeds show blurred movement.
The aperture and shutter-speed combinations shown below allow the same amount of light to enter the camera but result in different images. Smaller apertures extend the zone of sharp focus, and slow shutter speeds show blurred movement.

In photography, shutter speed refers to the duration that the camera's shutter remains open, allowing light to reach the film or digital sensor. This setting is crucial for controlling the overall exposure of an image and for capturing motion.1

  • Controlling Exposure: Shutter speeds are typically measured in fractions of a second, ranging from one second to very brief intervals like 1/1,000th of a second or even shorter for high-speed photography. Faster shutter speeds (shorter durations) let in less light, while slower speeds allow more light.123
  • Capturing Motion: A fast shutter speed can "freeze" fast-moving subjects, preventing blur and capturing sharp details. Conversely, a slower shutter speed can intentionally introduce motion blur, creating artistic effects or conveying a sense of movement.1

Modern cameras offer a range of shutter speeds, often in a sequence where each step doubles or halves the exposure time. This allows photographers to precisely manage how light affects their images and to creatively depict motion.3

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6 Britannica Sources
  1. speed
  2. shutter
  3. technology of photography - High-speed shutters
  4. technology of photography - Diaphragm and shutter settings
  5. technology of photography - Exposure values
  6. technology of photography - Synchronization

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