Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is the length of time that the shutter blinds in front of the camera sensor are left open. Shutter Speed is measured in seconds or fractions of a second: a shutter speed of 1 (“one second”) would be considered a slow shutter speed (it takes a whole second to click) while a shutter speed of 1/1000 (or, “one one-thousandth of a second’) would be considered a fast shutter speed. While the Aperture setting is used to control Depth-of-Field (how much of the photo is in focus), Shutter Speed is used to convey the motion of the subject in your photo.

  • Short shutter speeds (meaning, the camera clicks really fast): used to freeze fast-moving subjects (a racing car, a person jumping)
  • Long shutter speeds:  are used to capture motion (the trails of fireworks).
  • The larger the denominator is, (denominator=the number on the bottom of the fraction), the faster the shutter speed.  Example: 1/1000
  • The smaller the denominator, the slower the shutter speed. Example: 1/20
In this lesson you will...
  • describe what is shutter speed
  • take pictures with slow and fast shutter speed
  • take pictures in shutter priority mode
Picture

Assignment #5: Light Painting

Due date: Thursday October 16

In this photo shoot you will paint with light. Set your camera to the longest shutter speed.
  • Upload on your website (into a gallery) 5 different light painting photos
  • Make sure you only upload creative and sharp pictures
  • Include a description 


Answer the following question
  1. Explain how to make a light painting. Include in your description set up of camera exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO), best photo shooting location, type of lighting.
  2. What tip would you give someone to create a sharp and creative light painting?
  3. What is your favourite picture. Explain why.

Assessment

  • 5 different pictures .............................. 5 marks
  • creativity .................................................5 marks
  • quality (sharp, not blurry)......................5 marks
  • Inserted into Gallery...............................1 mark
  • Description...............................................4 marks
                                                                  Total 20 marks

Assignment #4: Panning

Due date:

In this photo shoot you will use the panning technique to freeze the motion of a moving object. Take your photos in shutter priority mode and use a longer shutter speed 1/15sec or 1/30sec.

What is panning?
Panning is as a technique that gives the shot a feeling of movement  and speed.  It’s particularly useful in capturing any fast moving subject whether it be a racing car, running pet, cyclist etc.You pan your camera along in time with the moving subject and end up getting a relatively sharp subject but a blurred background.

Criteria
  • Practice panning first
  • Upload on your website the 5 (or more) best panning pictures)

Assignment #3: Water Splash

Due date: Thursday October 2nd
In this photo shoot you will take a variety of pictures that freeze the motion of water. Shoot your pictures in shutter priority mode and use a fast shutter speed. 
  • You will take a total of  10 different  pictures. Each picture needs to freeze a different type of water splash.
  • Insert all 10 pictures into a gallery, including the shutter speed info (1/300)

Answer the following questions on your website:
    1. Which of the 10 pictures do you like the most? Explain why.
    2. Did you experience any difficulties when taking the pictures? Explain what happened. Did you solve the problem?

Assignment#2: Photographing Motion 

Due date: Tuesday September 30 (8:00 pm)
In this photo shoot you will continue practicing taking pictures in shutter priority mode. This time you will freeze the motion of different subjects.
  • use a high shutter speed starting from 1/200 sec

You will take a total of 6 pictures containing the following:
  1. Picture #1-#2: Person on Swing
  2. Picture #2-#3: Person sliding down the slide
  3. Picture #4-5: flipping pages in book, magazine, notebook
  4. Picture #6: freeze any motion you want


  • Insert your pictures into a gallery in the correct order. Add a caption for every picture including the shutter speed. (Example: 1/125)
  • Add the title of the assignment
  • Answer the following questions:
  1. Which of the six pictures do you like the most? Explain why.
  2. Did you experience any difficulties when taking the pictures? Explain what happened. Did you solve the problem?

Assignment #1: Freezing a Jump

Due date: Monday September 29th (beginning of class)

In this photo shoot you will take pictures in shutter priority mode (Sv). You will freeze the motion of jumping people  by using a fast shutter speed.

Criteria 
  1. Take 10 pictures of  jumping people using at least 5 different shutter speeds (starting from 1/125 sec and up)
  2. Pictures need to freeze the jumping person in the air
  3. You cannot be in the picture. You have to take the picture of a jumping person.
  4. Create a new page on your website and name it "shutter speed". Move the page under the aperture page
  5. Insert the title of the assignment
  6. Insert your pictures into a gallery in the correct order. Add a caption for every picture including the shutter speed. (Example: 1/125)

Important: YOU have to take the pictures of the jumping people. You cannot upload a picture of yourself jumping. 
Your pictures need to include the following:
  • Pictures #1-#2: one jumping person
  • Pictures #3-#4: action jump (example: karate)
  • Pictures #5-6: Two people jumping
  • Pictures #7-#8: Three people jumping
  • Pictures #9-#10: any jump you want

Assessment

  • 10 pictures containing criteria.................................................................4 marks
  • Creative shots............................................................................................4 marks
  • Quality of pictures (clear, not blurry, not over-or underexposed).......4 marks
  • Pictures inserted into a gallery in correct order on the website..........2 marks
  • Pictures contain captions..........................................................................3 marks
                                                                                                                    Total: 21 marks