Introduction to shutter speed

Bus moving at high speed

In photography, shutter speed is a common term used to discuss exposure time, the effective length of time a camera's shutter is open. The total exposure is proportional to this exposure time, or duration of light reaching the film or image sensor. Shutter speed is one of several methods used to control the amount of light recorded by the camera's digital sensor or film.It is also used to manipulate the visual effect of the final image beyond its luminosity.
Slower shutter speeds are often selected to suggest movement in a still photograph of a moving subject.
Excessively fast shutter speed is selected, a longer time passes from the moment the shutter opens till the moment it closes.More time is available for movement in the subject to be recorded by the camera.
A slightly slower shutter speed will allow the photographer to introduce an element of blur, either in the subject, where the fastest moving element might be blurred while the rest remains sharp or if the camera  is panned to follow a moving object, the background is blurred while the subject remains sharp.
The exact point at which the background or subject will start to blur depends on the rate at witch the object is moving, the angle that the object is moving in relation to the size of the digital sensor or film.
When slower shutter speeds, in excess of about half a second, are used on running water, the photo will have a ghostly white appearance reminiscent of fog.This effect can be used in landscape photography.

A photo of street at night (exposure time 30 seconds)

More light streaks of bus in London

Breathtaking images for shutter speed photography (not mine yet ;)

WATERFALL: Shutter Speed freezing water movement and pretty blurred water shots:

• The fast shutter speed at 1/800 (bigger bottom number), freeze the water motions. But as you slow the shutter speed (decrease the bottom number) , you start to blur the motion of the water. Finally, the slowest shutter speed (at one full second) gives that magical, dreamy look, kind of like the shots you see in gorgeous nature photography
• So, you selectively choose your style: freeze the motion of the water for a detailed, sharp shot. Or blurr the water, for a pretty shot.

FREEWAY: Shutter speed freezing car lights and artistic night shots:

• The faster shutter speed (1/13 seconds) freezes the motion of the cars and lights. Giving a look that you would normally see with the naked eye.
• As you slow down the shutter speed (to full seconds), the motion of the car’s headlights start to blur and lengthen.
• The slowest shutter speed at 10 full seconds gives full blur to the headlights, creating that long stream of lights on the freeway.

My struggle with shutter of speed ;)

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