Photo Tips
Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet
Here is an article from Digital Photography School
A Post By: Viktor Elizarov
To take your photography to the next level and achieve perfectly exposed photos, it’s important to understand and master shutter speed and its relationship to Exposure. However, what’s even more exciting and challenging is using shutter speed as an artistic tool to achieve stunning effects.
Whether you want to master shutter speed as part of Exposure Triangle or use it artistically, the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet makes things much easier!
A Post By: Viktor Elizarov
To take your photography to the next level and achieve perfectly exposed photos, it’s important to understand and master shutter speed and its relationship to Exposure. However, what’s even more exciting and challenging is using shutter speed as an artistic tool to achieve stunning effects.
Whether you want to master shutter speed as part of Exposure Triangle or use it artistically, the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet makes things much easier!
Full Stop, ½ Stop, 1/3 Stop
The equation behind the relationship between Exposure and Shutter Speed is straightforward; by doubling or halving the shutter speed you are changing the exposure value by 1-stop. However, the introduction of digital cameras changed everything by no longer restricting how much we can change the shutter speed. Some cameras allow us to change the speed by half or even a third of a stop. Use the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet to help you estimate and calculate your exposure.
Safe Shutter Speed
Using the right shutter speed is vital in photographing moving objects. Look at the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet to see how speed directly affects image sharpness.
Light
The Cheat Sheet illustrates how a faster shutter speed means that less light reaches the camera sensor and a longer shutter speed means that more light reaches the sensor.
Artistically Shooting with Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet
Birds in Flight 1/2000
Wildlife photographers typically use a 1/2000th of a second shutter speed to ensure birds in flight are sharp. Ultimately, you can reduce the speed to 1/400th to give the bird a sharp body and blurry wings.
Action Sports
Shutter speed is crucial in fast-moving sports like football and soccer where a shutter speed between 1/500th and 1/1000th freezes the action to create crisp and sharp images.
Street Photography 1/250th – 1/500th
Most streets are in constant movement with pedestrians and vehicles. That is why shutter speed is critical to produce the right exposure and to avoid soft or blurry images.
The equation behind the relationship between Exposure and Shutter Speed is straightforward; by doubling or halving the shutter speed you are changing the exposure value by 1-stop. However, the introduction of digital cameras changed everything by no longer restricting how much we can change the shutter speed. Some cameras allow us to change the speed by half or even a third of a stop. Use the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet to help you estimate and calculate your exposure.
Safe Shutter Speed
Using the right shutter speed is vital in photographing moving objects. Look at the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet to see how speed directly affects image sharpness.
Light
The Cheat Sheet illustrates how a faster shutter speed means that less light reaches the camera sensor and a longer shutter speed means that more light reaches the sensor.
Artistically Shooting with Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet
Birds in Flight 1/2000
Wildlife photographers typically use a 1/2000th of a second shutter speed to ensure birds in flight are sharp. Ultimately, you can reduce the speed to 1/400th to give the bird a sharp body and blurry wings.
Action Sports
Shutter speed is crucial in fast-moving sports like football and soccer where a shutter speed between 1/500th and 1/1000th freezes the action to create crisp and sharp images.
Street Photography 1/250th – 1/500th
Most streets are in constant movement with pedestrians and vehicles. That is why shutter speed is critical to produce the right exposure and to avoid soft or blurry images.
Street Photography 1/250th, f/8, ISO 100.
Landscapes 1/125th – ¼
Shutter speed varies across landscapes and techniques. When using a tripod, a slower shutter speed of 1/8th or ¼ of a second is acceptable. However, to avoid blurry images when shooting hand held, you need to use a faster shutter speed.
Shutter speed varies across landscapes and techniques. When using a tripod, a slower shutter speed of 1/8th or ¼ of a second is acceptable. However, to avoid blurry images when shooting hand held, you need to use a faster shutter speed.
Landscape 1/125th, f/8, ISO 100.
Panning Cars 1/15th – 1/60th
Panning is an artistic effect created when a slower shutter speed of 1/15th to 1/60th is used to track a moving object like a car. This causes the car to stay in focus while its surroundings are completely blurred.Waterfalls 1/8th – 2 secondsCapturing fast-moving water with a longer shutter speed creates a visual effect of motion blur which does not exist in reality.Waterfalls 1/8th – 2 secondsCapturing fast-moving water with a longer shutter speed creates a visual effect of motion blur which does not exist in reality.
Panning is an artistic effect created when a slower shutter speed of 1/15th to 1/60th is used to track a moving object like a car. This causes the car to stay in focus while its surroundings are completely blurred.Waterfalls 1/8th – 2 secondsCapturing fast-moving water with a longer shutter speed creates a visual effect of motion blur which does not exist in reality.Waterfalls 1/8th – 2 secondsCapturing fast-moving water with a longer shutter speed creates a visual effect of motion blur which does not exist in reality.
Waterfall 1/6th, f/20, ISO 100.
Blurring Water half – 5 seconds
For slower moving water like ocean, lakes, and rivers you need to use a shutter speed slower than half a second to create dreamy landscapes and seascapes with silky, smooth water.
For slower moving water like ocean, lakes, and rivers you need to use a shutter speed slower than half a second to create dreamy landscapes and seascapes with silky, smooth water.
Slow Moving Water 4 seconds, f/6.3, ISO 100.
Fireworks 2-8 seconds
Capturing fireworks can be exceptionally difficult. A faster shutter speed yields a speck of light across a dark sky and a slower speed creates a blurry, overexposed image. Try using a 3-5 second shutter speed for optimal results.
Stars 15–25 seconds Like fireworks, shooting the stars requires balance. A faster shutter speed produces tiny and dim stars, but a longer shutter speed (over 30 seconds) produces a trail effect. For the brightest and clearest stars, try a shutter speed between 15 and 25 seconds.
Star Trails
Take advantage of the earth spinning on its axis by opening the shutter speed long enough to capture the star trail. This is often done with a 15-minute (or longer) shutter speed (exposure time). However, you can create the same effect digitally by taking a series of photos (100+) with a 30 seconds exposure each. Later, blend the images together using editing software to create a gorgeous trail effect.
Viktor Elizarov is a travel photographer and educator from Montreal, Canada. He travels around the world and shares his experiences on his popular travel photography blog. Visit Tutorials section of his blog for free tutorials (including original raw files) and free Lightroom presets.
Capturing fireworks can be exceptionally difficult. A faster shutter speed yields a speck of light across a dark sky and a slower speed creates a blurry, overexposed image. Try using a 3-5 second shutter speed for optimal results.
Stars 15–25 seconds Like fireworks, shooting the stars requires balance. A faster shutter speed produces tiny and dim stars, but a longer shutter speed (over 30 seconds) produces a trail effect. For the brightest and clearest stars, try a shutter speed between 15 and 25 seconds.
Star Trails
Take advantage of the earth spinning on its axis by opening the shutter speed long enough to capture the star trail. This is often done with a 15-minute (or longer) shutter speed (exposure time). However, you can create the same effect digitally by taking a series of photos (100+) with a 30 seconds exposure each. Later, blend the images together using editing software to create a gorgeous trail effect.
Viktor Elizarov is a travel photographer and educator from Montreal, Canada. He travels around the world and shares his experiences on his popular travel photography blog. Visit Tutorials section of his blog for free tutorials (including original raw files) and free Lightroom presets.
Confused by 'sharpening'?
Most digital images need sharpening to correct the softening that occurs as a result of the demosaicing process and (in many cases) the presence of an anti-aliasing filter a camera’s sensor. Here is a link to an article from Digital Camera World that may help you to understand what it is all about.
Now you have read that here is a different way of sharpening your image - using the 'High Pass' filter in Photoshop and Elements. Here is a link to another article, this time from Digital Photography School that explains how and why to use the High Pass method of sharpening
Now you are all asking 'How can you sharpen in Lightroom?' Well you can and here is another link to a Digital Photography School article that will help you.
Now you have read that here is a different way of sharpening your image - using the 'High Pass' filter in Photoshop and Elements. Here is a link to another article, this time from Digital Photography School that explains how and why to use the High Pass method of sharpening
Now you are all asking 'How can you sharpen in Lightroom?' Well you can and here is another link to a Digital Photography School article that will help you.
ND Filters
This time the photo tip comes from Ally Henderson the Fraserburgh Photographic Society ‘Photographer of the year’. This title is awarded to the Society member who scores the highest total points score from the six open competitions held in the year.
Neutral Density Filters.
Anyone who finds they are into photography sooner or later will find themselves using filters .Filters are many and varied and with the exception of a polarising filter , ND.s are the most interesting whether plain or Graduated.
Coming in different exposure factors, being 2X - 1 stop
4X - 2 stops
8X - 3 stops
64 X - 6 stops
and 1024X - 10 stops known as the Big Stopper.
Any landscape photographer will carry some or all in his bag .
ND,s are neutral grey and as such any light passing through them is only affected by brightness not colour and are used primarily to slow down shutter speeds to blur motion in moving water or clouds and it is in landscapes and seascapes they show their true worth .
They come in two forms ,screw in ones in various thread sizes and the slot in type which slide into a holder screwed onto the lens thread and although technically sounding are fairly simple to use with most digital cameras with a filter thread on the lens and proper manual settings . Other requirements are ,a tripod and wireless or cable remote to prevent camera shake ..
If taking a waterfall or seascape use different strengths until you achieve the desired blurring ,use manual mode and different apertures and the higher the f no. the longer the exposure and the more milky the effect , and in no time you will see the advantage of using them .
Neutral Density Filters.
Anyone who finds they are into photography sooner or later will find themselves using filters .Filters are many and varied and with the exception of a polarising filter , ND.s are the most interesting whether plain or Graduated.
Coming in different exposure factors, being 2X - 1 stop
4X - 2 stops
8X - 3 stops
64 X - 6 stops
and 1024X - 10 stops known as the Big Stopper.
Any landscape photographer will carry some or all in his bag .
ND,s are neutral grey and as such any light passing through them is only affected by brightness not colour and are used primarily to slow down shutter speeds to blur motion in moving water or clouds and it is in landscapes and seascapes they show their true worth .
They come in two forms ,screw in ones in various thread sizes and the slot in type which slide into a holder screwed onto the lens thread and although technically sounding are fairly simple to use with most digital cameras with a filter thread on the lens and proper manual settings . Other requirements are ,a tripod and wireless or cable remote to prevent camera shake ..
If taking a waterfall or seascape use different strengths until you achieve the desired blurring ,use manual mode and different apertures and the higher the f no. the longer the exposure and the more milky the effect , and in no time you will see the advantage of using them .
