How to Set Shutter Speed and Aperture
Aperture and shutter speed determine the exposure of film to light. They work in conjunction to produce a balanced image. Choosing both the right aperture and shutter speed is essential to taking a good photo.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately challenging
Instructions
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1
Set the correct film speed on the shutter speed dial on the top left of the camera.
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2
Determine the shutter speed and corresponding aperture setting - also known as an f-stop - using a built-in or hand-held light meter. (See "How to Read a Light Meter.")
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3
Set the aperture using the aperture ring on the camera lens. Aperture settings indicate the size of the opening in the lens and range from F2 to F22 on the typical camera.
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Set the shutter speed using the shutter speed dial on top of the camera. Shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second and ranges from 1 second to 1/1000 of a second on the average camera.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Aperture and shutter settings work together and can be used in different combinations to produce the same exposure.
A smaller f-stop number will result in a shallower depth of field, and less of the background will be in focus.
With an aperture of F11, the shutter speed on a bright sunny day is typically 1/125 second. Using the same aperture on a cloudy day, set the shutter speed at 1/60 second to expose the film to light for a longer period of time.
Choose a high shutter speed to capture action.
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Comments
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DirkMcFergus
Feb 09, 2010
I thought it was an impossible job to do at home. Thanks for the tips! -
kristi west
Jan 18, 2010
I use a toothbrush & seems to work good at getting hardened dirt off of suede.
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Mar 20, 2006
If you aren't sure what the correct aperture and shutter speeds are, you can use a technique called bracketing. To bracket your shots, choose the shutter speed and aperture that you think is correct, then take a shot with one higher shutter speed, and one lower. Then take one higher aperture, and one lower. That way you give yourself a cushion.
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Mar 20, 2006
If you aren't sure what the correct aperture and shutter speeds are, you can use a technique called bracketing. To bracket your shots, choose the shutter speed and aperture that you think is correct, then take a shot with one higher shutter speed, and one lower. Then take one higher aperture, and one lower. That way you give yourself a cushion.
