How to Set Shutter Speed

Setting the shutter speed on your camera adjusts the way movement is recorded on your photographs. Fast shutter speeds will freeze movement and slow shutter speeds will show the blur of movement. Setting your shutter speed in relation to your aperture will create your photographic exposure.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camera

1. Determine what type of camera you have. If you use a compact point and shoot camera, you may not have the option to adjust your shutter speed. Some of the newer compact digital cameras will have this feature when it is not used in the auto setting. SLR (single lens reflex) film and digital cameras will always have the ability to set the shutter speed.

2. Decide what type of movement you want to show with the photos you will be shooting. Choose if you want to freeze motion, or show the blur of motion. Envision your final photograph.

3. Understand a little about shutter speed numbers before changing the settings on your camera. A larger number is the equivalent to a faster shutter speed. A smaller number, will equal a slower shutter speed.

4. See if your camera has a command dial on the top of the camera with various settings. This is common on SLR cameras, and feature laden compact digital cameras. You may have to locate the shutter speed setting in a menu system if this option is not on a dial on the exterior of your camera.

5. Look for the TV setting on your camera. TV represents “Time Value.” Since shutter speed refers to the amount of time your camera will expose the photograph, the abbreviation TV makes sense. Some camera manufacturers abbreviate this term to just an “S” for shutter speed.

6. Understand the shutter speed number currently set on your camera. Use your camera manual to determine where your specific model and brand of camera shows you your shutter speed number. Some are on an LCD screen, some are on a ring on the camera body or lens, and some show the number through the viewfinder, at the bottom of the screen.

7. If you see a “60" for example, that means your shutter speed is set to 1/60th of a second. That means your camera is recording the scene for a very small portion of a second. Adjust your shutter speed by increasing and decreasing the number. The larger the number, the faster your shutter speed. This will help you to stop fast action movements.

8. Understand common shutter speeds. For most photographers, the slowest shutter speed they will use without a tripod, and still get sharp pictures is 1/60th of a second, or “60."

Tips & Warnings

• If your shutter speed is too slow, your pictures will be blurry.