The shutter speed control on a camera is the control which determines how long the shutter remains open with each exposure. This controls the amount of light which falls on the film or digital image sensor, exposing it. The shutter speed is a setting which is changeable on single lens reflex cameras or cameras with full or partially manual modes. Shutter speed affects how much action is "stopped" in the image, controlling motion blur as faster speeds allow for less movement of the subject.
Instructions
1. Locate the control for the shutter speed. On older camera models, this may be a labeled dial directly on the camera body. For digital cameras, this is usually a menu function accessible by a scroll wheel located near the shutter release.
2. Set the camera to a fully manual or partially manual mode, such as Tv (Canon) or S (Nikon).
3. Meter your exposure for fully manual models. If there is an internal camera meter, aim the camera at the subject, focus and depress the shutter button halfway to activate the meter. The reading will display a shutter speed based on your F-stop setting.
4. Determine if this is the correct shutter speed for your subject. If your subject is moving, a faster shutter speed will be required to stop any motion blur. Stationary subjects may use a slower shutter speed. Adjust the F-stop if necessary and re-meter.
5. Set the shutter speed. On older model cameras, turn the labeled dial until the indicator mark on the body is aligned with the setting indicated by your light meter. On newer model and digital cameras, turn the scroll wheel to change the shutter speed. The setting is displayed either in the viewfinder or on an LCD screen on the camera body.
6. Depress the shutter button to expose your image.
Tags: shutter speed, camera body, cameras turn, digital cameras, fully manual, labeled dial, motion blur