What is Shutter Speed in Photography?
Shutter speed is the amount of time your camera’s shutter stays open to expose light onto the sensor. A fast shutter (like 1/1000 sec) freezes motion, while a slow shutter (like 1/2 sec) captures movement as blur. It directly affects how motion is recorded and how much light hits your sensor. Along with ISO and aperture, it’s one of the three pillars of exposure.
How Shutter Speed Affects Motion
If you want to freeze a fast-moving subject — think dancers, athletes, or birds — you need a fast shutter speed. The faster the shutter, the crisper the moment. On the flip side, slower speeds introduce motion blur, which can add creative drama to things like waterfalls, traffic, or low-light scenes. The trick is knowing whether to stop time or let it flow.
Shutter Speed and Exposure Go Hand in Hand
Shutter speed doesn’t just affect motion — it also controls how much light reaches the sensor. A longer exposure lets in more light, which helps in darker scenes but risks blur. A fast shutter keeps things sharp but limits light. That’s why shutter speed is always part of the give-and-take in exposure, especially when you're not using a tripod.
Common Shutter Speeds and When to Use Them
- 1/1000 sec and up: Great for action, wildlife, sports.
- 1/250 – 1/500 sec: Ideal for handheld portraits, events.
- 1/60 – 1/125 sec: Everyday use, but you’re flirting with camera shake below 1/60.
- Slower than 1/30 sec: For intentional motion blur, long exposures, or creative effects — just use a tripod.
- Once you dial in shutter speed, you can balance it with ISO and depth of field to shape your look.