Moving on from last week, when we asked 'what is shutter speed', I have been asked 'how do you use shutter speed to freeze movement'?
I am using my Olympus Pen F for this with my 45mm lens and a fast shutter speed of 1/1000s
“Photography has no rules, it is not a sport. It is the result which counts, no matter how it is achieved.”
– Bill Brandt
Using shutter speed to freeze movement
The best way for me to explain is to use images of a waterfall. I don't have to go far for this as we just happen to have one in our garden :)
So without further ado ....
It is late afternoon and the sun has disappeared so quite dark under the shrubs round the waterfall. I have, therefore, set my ISO to 2000 for both the following images.
Freezing the droplets of the water as they fall
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Freezing movement with 1/1000s |
This fast shutter speed freezes the water as it falls.
Blurring movement of the water
I have now changed my shutter speed to 1/8s and I must add that I am leaning against a pillar to steady me. With a slow shutter speed, therefore, a long exposure, it is imperative to either use a tripod or lean on something solid to keep the camera steady.
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Blurring movement with 1/8s |
Now we have a similar image but the waterfall looks completely different.
Have a play with this. You will get some amazing images.
Long exposure images on your iPhone
If you have an iPhone you can easily do a long exposure.
- Take the image a little wider than you maybe want.
- Once taken, slide the image up to effects and click on long exposure.
- And hey presto a smooth running waterfall. :) Easy peasy.
– Bill Brandt
A great quote! Have a fab week. Just go out and practice and be sure you do what you love and love what you do :)
Jan x