You can use automatic mode on your camera to take nice photographs. Experimenting with all of the bells and whistles on your camera can be confusing and difficult to figure out, but can be very rewarding when you master them.
The shutter and aperture on your camera work together to produce a photograph that is exposed correctly. The shutter speed determines how long your shutter is open. The longer it is open the more light is allowed in. Aperture is an adjustable opening in your camera that determines your depth of field. When your camera is in automatic mode, the camera decides the settings for the shutter speed and aperture to get a correct exposure.
Using advanced settings allow you more creative control over your photographs. Have you seen photographs where there are “trails” of taillights, or waterfalls that look soft and flowing? These are accomplished by adjusting shutter speeds. If you use the shutter priority mode on your camera, you pick the shutter speed and the camera adjusts the aperture for you. This is a great way to practice advanced settings, because you only have to worry about making one adjustment.
Shutter speed is indicated in seconds. If you are taking photographs of something that is moving fast and you want sharp pictures, you need to pick a fast shutter speed to “freeze” the moment. A fast speed of 1/640 can freeze drops of water in midair and capture every detail.
The slowest shutter speed that you can generally take holding a camera in your hand is 1/60 of a second. At that speed you need to be sure there is plenty of light and hold the camera as still as possible to avoid camera shake. Motion in a photograph isn’t always bad though.
If you want to experiment with light trails from moving vehicles, star trails or a stream that has that soft look, you will need to use a tripod or brace your camera to eliminate camera shake. Then you can experiment with slower shutter speeds and keep some items sharp.
I have included some pictures that I took of a fountain so that you can see the differences in shutter speed. The one that looks like the water is flowing was taken with a shutter speed of 1/60 of a second. The one where you can see the drops of water frozen in midair was taken at 1/640 of a second. You can practice these types of shots by finding a place where there is movement and you can take the time to take many shots. This could be a fountain, waterfall or traffic. Turn your camera to shutter priority, which is generally either a S or Tv on you your camera. Start with a speed of 1/60 of a second and take a photograph. Then increase your shutter speed one setting for each photograph. When you reach the fastest your camera goes, review your photographs to see the differences in your photographs at each speed.
Whenever you are taking photographs try using several settings. I would love to see your experiments with shutter speed. Stop by the photography forum and post your favorite and talk about how you use shutter speed in your photography.
