1. Photography Technology I
Shutter Control
Photography Technology I

2. The Shutter
The shutter is a shield located somewhere between the film and the front of the lens.
The shutter protects the film from light entering the lens.

3. Two Main Types of Shutters
Leaf Shutter – Consists of several overlapping metal leaves located in the rear of the lens.

4. Two Main Types of Shutters
Focal Plane Shutter – Located in the camera body.
This is a curtain positioned behind the lens and immediately in front of the film.
When opened, the shutter moves in a horizontal or vertical direction, exposing film one section at a time.

5. Shutter Button
The shutter button is pressed to open and close the shutter according to the predetermined exposure time.
What else does the shutter button do?

6. Main Functions
The shutter sets the amount of time for which the film is struck by light.
This affects the amount of movement rendered in the image.

7. Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the time during which the shutter remains open.
The shutter must be set according to the prevailing light conditions.
If the light is dim – “slow” shutter speeds are required
If the light is bright – “fast” shutter speeds are required
Why?

8. Shutter Speed Dial
The shutter speed dial is usually found on the body of the camera (near the shutter button).
On some cameras the shutter speed dial may be digitally displayed on the camera.

9. Shutter Speed Choices
Each setting on the shutter doubles the time of the setting before it and halves the time of the setting after it.
Most shutter speed dials also contain a B and/or T – these both allow the shutter to remain open for an indefinite amount of time. These speeds are especially useful in very low/no light conditions.

10. Shutter Speed Choices 1 1 second 2 1/2 second 4 1/4 second
B Bulb: shutter will remain open as long as the shutter button is pressed down
T Time: shutter will remain open from the time the button is pressed until it is pressed again
1 1 second
2 1/2 second
4 1/4 second
8 1/8 second
15 1/15 second
30 1/30 second
60 1/60 second
125 1/125 second
250 1/250 second
500 1/500 second
1000 1/1000 second

11. Controlling Movement
If the subject or camera moves while the shutter is open, the result will be a blurred image.
The faster the movement the greater the blur.
If the movement travels across the lens, the blur will be greater than if the movement is coming towards the lens – even if the shutter speed is the same.

12. Slow Shutter Speeds
When using a slow shutter speed the action will appear blurred.
The slower the shutter speed the more movement will be rendered in the photograph.
When using a slow shutter speed the camera will usually be compensated with a large f/stop to allow a small amount of light to balance the light meter.
f/4 and 1/30 second

13. Controlling Shutter Speeds
The appropriate shutter speed for an object in motion will vary with the speed of the object in motion. Faster moving objects will require faster shutter speeds.
Here the dog appears to be frozen, using a fairly slow shutter, due to its slower pace.
f/1.8 and 1/125 second

14. Fast Shutter Speeds
When using a faster shutter speed we are able to freeze an object in motion.
The faster the shutter speed the less movement that will be rendered in the photograph.
When using a fast shutter speed the camera will usually be compensated with a smaller f/stop to allow a large amount of light to balance the light meter.
f/1.8 and 1/1000 second

15. Panning
Panning is moving the camera during the exposure in the same direction as the movement.
A successful pan will render the subject and the background blurred.

16. Panning
As your camera follows a moving object, we will use a relatively low shutter speed (1/30 to 1/60 are the usual panning values).
Again, the effect that you get is a sharp object against a blurred background.

17. Frozen Motion
Your first objective is to manipulate shutter speed in order to freeze the motion of your subject, such as in the case of the batter and his bat.
What do you think may have been an acceptable shutter speed to freeze the action in this photograph?
1/500 second

18. Selectively Blurred
Your second objective is to manipulate shutter speed in order to selectively blur the motion of your subject.
Here, the bat (which is traveling at a faster rate of speed then the batter) appears blurred while the subject is frozen.
What do you think may have been an acceptable shutter speed to selectively blur the action?
1/125 second

19. Where do we go from here?
You will be expected to capture a variety of eight photographs that illustrate your understanding of how movement can be rendered in a photograph through controlling the shutter.
Of these eight photographs, we will be making two 3-1/2 x 5 enlargements.
You will be creating two 3-1/2 x 5 enlargements that demonstrate how the shutter can be used to control movement in a photograph. These enlargements should be made from the best photographs that demonstrate frozen motion (shutter speeds of 500, 1000, and 2000) and selectively blurred motion (shutter speeds of 30, 60, 125, and 250).

20. Review What is the shutter used for?
When are slow shutter speeds used?
When are fast shutter speeds used?
How will you determine the correct Aperture setting?
The shutter sets the amount of time for which the film is struck by light.
If the lighting is dim or when trying to capture motion blur.
If the lighting is bright or when trying to stop action.
Balance your camera’s light meter.