What are the most effective shutter speeds for different photography scenarios?

2 Creating motion blur

On the other hand, sometimes you may want to create motion blur, which is a deliberate effect that shows movement and dynamism in your image. To do this, you need to use a low shutter speed, which means a long exposure time. A low shutter speed will allow the light to streak across your sensor and create a sense of motion in your image. The exact shutter speed you need will depend on how much blur you want and how steady you can hold your camera, but a good rule of thumb is to use between 1/15th and 1 second for most situations, and even longer for night photography or light painting. You may also need to use a tripod or a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake.

4 Creating bokeh

Bokeh is a term that refers to the quality and shape of the out-of-focus areas in your image, which can create a pleasing aesthetic and draw attention to your main subject. To create bokeh, you need to use a fast aperture, which means a large opening in your lens. A fast aperture will create a shallow depth of field and blur the background and foreground of your image, leaving only your subject sharp. The exact aperture you need will depend on the distance between your subject and the background, and the focal length of your lens, but a good rule of thumb is to use the largest aperture your lens can offer, such as f/1.8 or f/2.8. You may also need to adjust your shutter speed and ISO accordingly to maintain the correct exposure.

5 Creating starbursts

Starbursts are a creative effect that turns bright light sources, such as the sun or street lamps, into star-shaped patterns in your image. To create starbursts, you need to use a slow aperture, which means a small opening in your lens. A slow aperture will create a large depth of field and diffract the light into rays that form the starburst effect. The exact aperture you need will depend on the size and brightness of the light source, and the number of blades in your lens, but a good rule of thumb is to use between f/11 and f/22 for most situations. You may also need to use a slower shutter speed and a lower ISO to balance the exposure.

6 Creating panning shots

Panning shots are a technique that involves moving your camera along with a moving subject, such as a car or a cyclist, while using a slow shutter speed. This creates a dynamic image that shows the subject sharp and the background blurred, creating a sense of speed and direction. To create panning shots, you need to use a low shutter speed, which means a long exposure time, and a smooth and steady motion of your camera. The exact shutter speed you need will depend on the speed of your subject and the distance from your camera, but a good rule of thumb is to use between 1/30th and 1/8th of a second for most situations. You may also need to use a small aperture and a low ISO to avoid overexposure.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?