How to get amazing baby photos with your new SLR - Shutter Speed
Welcome back to your Introduction to your SLR.
If you’re new here, this is the third in a 6 part blog series, introducing you to the basic controls on your camera.
3. SHUTTER SPEED
The shutter speed is the amount of time between the camera shutter opening and closing. The longer the shutter is open the higher the chance the image will be blurry, from either you shaking or your subject moving.
For a fast moving object, a fast shutter speed will freeze the motion, as in the time the shutter opens and closes, the subject will not have moved.
For a still object, the shutter can stay open longer - just remember to use a tripod if set the shutter to open for a long time otherwise even you shaking a little will blur the photo.
When I am shooting handheld, I try and stay above 100fps (at this speed that the shutter is opening and closing it could take 100 Frames Per Second)
The other thing the shutter speed effects is the brightness of the images. The longer the shutter is open, the more light that enters the camera and the brighter the image will be.
Shooting a race car at 1250fps will freeze the action but wont let in a lot of light. To compensate for the lack of light you can either increase your ISO (the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor) or decrease your Aperture - which you’ll be learning about next.
Top Tip
When I am shooting hand held I try and keep my shutter speed above 100 to eliminate hand shake. Try hard not to go under 100, try really hard not to go under 60.
Need more Help?
If you have any questions at all about anything in this or any other blog in this series, just ask below or send me an email and I’ll do my best to explain things further.
Becki Williams is a Hemel Hempstead photographer who specialises in Newborn & Baby Photography. Every photo shoot is unique to the colours and themes you love and takes as long as each baby needs. There is always plenty of time for feeding and cuddles!