Shutter speeds and panning

Shutter Speeds & Panning

Exercise:3

Correct exposure is a balance between the

aperture and the shutter.

Today we will be using Shutter speed priority (‘S’ or ‘TV’ on the mode

dial). We will set the shutter

speed using the wheel and the camera will work out

the aperture.

The Shutter

The duration of light striking the film is controlled by the shutter.

The time that the film or the light sensor is exposed to light is measured in fractions of a second. For example 1/2000 is a very fast shutter speed and 1/25 is a slow shutter speed.

The photographer, by choosing the length of exposure, is capable of exploring moving subjects in a variety

of ways.

By choosing long exposures moving

objects will record as blurs.

Long exposures can convey as sense of

movement...

By choosing fast shutters speeds it is possible to see the beauty of form in

motion. Something which our eye

naturally cannot do.

Fast shutter speeds can freeze motion.

Harold E. "Doc" Edgerton, born 1903

Panning

This allows photographers to follow a moving object with the camera.

Panning allows the photographer to use a slower shutter speed that would otherwise be required if the camera had been static.

A ‘good pan’ should show the subject in focus and the background blurred.

How to pan!

The photographer must aim to track the subject before the shutter is released and follow through or continue to pan once the exposure has been made.

Try and make the ‘pan’ as fluid as possible - don’t pause to release the shutter.

Focus!

It’s important that you get your focus right.

AF (Automatic Focus) can be slow.

So put your camera into MF (Manual Focus) and get the focus point correct before you begin. Tip: Focus on a leaf on the ground of where the subject will pass.

Today’s Target: Exploring Shutter Speeds

FREEZE MOTION: Take 5 images of a running or jumping figure using fast shutter speeds (faster than 1/250 sec), attempt to get the figure to fill the frame.

BLURR: Take 5 images of a moving object, using slow shutter speeds (less than 1/125 sec). Again fill the frame!

PAN: Take 5 images of the same moving subject using shutter speeds between 1/15 sec and 1/125 second. Note down the shutters speeds used. Pan the camera to follow movement. Aim to make the subject fill the frame. Discuss the visual effect.