Shutter speed is probably the most ignored camera settings when it comes to making creative decisions. Most people tend to assume that shutter speed is there just to control the exposure. Further, most people stick to the rule that shutter speed should be equal to the lens focal length when hand-holding the camera outside and for studios, the shutter speed should be equal to the sync speed of the camera. However, when we break the shackles of photography rules, we can produce astounding images.
In this post, I will discuss a few shutter speed techniques that will help you to take your photography to the next level!
Long Exposure Landscapes
Sometimes, you want to exhibit motion rather than freezing motion. For example, you would like to exhibit movement of water or clouds. In such situations, long exposure techniques can be a handy tool
In the above picture, I have tried to capture the motion of the waterfall by slowing the shutter speed to ½ seconds; By opening shutter that long, we are introducing a lot of light, even at F11, the picture was too bright. Hence, I used a ND filter to cut down the light.
Light Painting
Light painting can produce stunning images if done correctly. The technique involves keeping the shutter open for a long time and literally painting shapes with a source of continuous light.
In the above picture, I kept the shutter open long enough for the camera to capture the light trail of the cars.
Long Exposure Portraits
Long exposure portrait is an advance technique that can produce stunning and innovative pictures. The technique involves using a flash/strobe to freeze the motion and at the same time, keeping the shutter open long enough to record the motion.
The technique requires a lot of practice and Hit and Trial approach to capture images.
Conclusion
a days, bokeh seems to be king of creative decisions with the new generation of photographers. However, I believe, every camera setting can tickle your creative mind and produce stunning and out of ordinary results only if we take time to understand it. Manual mode can be a daunting task for a new photographer, but once you cross the barrier, possibilities are endless.
