Little Ones

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Easter 2012

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe Easter holiday!

Shutter-Priority Mode

Hello again.  In a previous blog, I discussed switching the camera out of the Auto mode and into the (P) mode to enable more creativity in photos.  I want to continue on to another setting on the camera dial - the Shutter-Priority mode.

The Shutter-Priority mode is a semi-automatic mode that allows you to adjust the speed of the shutter while the camera automatically sets the aperture for you.




Shutter-Priority mode is represented by
the (S ) on the dial for Nikon-as shown
in the photo to the left- and Tv (Time value)
for Canon.  *For other brands please refer to your manual*






In order to learn how to use the Shutter Priority mode, it's important to understand the basics of what the camera shutter actually is.  So, imagine a curtain in front of the camera sensor.  That curtain will stay closed until the camera fires.  As the camera fires, the shutter (curtain) opens to allow light to reach the camera sensor.  When enough light is gathered, the shutter will close.  

The shutter speed or exposure time is the length of time the camera shutter (curtain) is open to allow light on the camera sensor.  A fast shutter speed helps to freeze motion completely as shown in the photo below.

A slow shutter speed can create an effect called "motion blur".  This is where movement in the photo appears blurred as shown in the photo below.

So, the shutter speed is responsible for producing dramatic effects in photos by either blurring motion or freezing action.  With practice, I'm sure you'll discover how useful these settings on your camera can be.