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Learning Shutter Speed in New Orleans, LA

Previously, we introduced the Exposure Triangle as a way of embracing the full capabilities offered to you using a DSLR camera.

As a review, the three corners of the exposure triangle are Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. Today, we are going to review the capabilities of shutter speed. Once you have mastered the three corners, the world is literally at your finger tips (photography humor!)

What is Shutter Speed?

Let's begin with a general definition. Shutter speed can best be defined as the amount of time the shutter is kept open. You could also call this the image sensor. Basically, the duration of time that the image sensor utilizes to capture the image.

How is Shutter Speed measured?

Shutter speed is measured on your camera by the fraction of a second. This will look something like (1/600). The bigger the denominator, the faster the shutter speed (ex. 1/600 is faster than 1/60).

Depending on how slow your shutter speed is, you may have to utilize a tripod in addition to image stabilization for a clear, quality image. In regards to your shutter speed, anything slower than 1/60 will make it more difficult for you to take clear photos without a tripod.

How does the change in Shutter Speed affect your pictures?

Some DSLR cameras feature a shutter priority mode that automatically adjusts your cameras ISO and Aperture according to your shutter speed needs. This is an excellent mode for beginners to familiarize themselves with the best adjustments for complementing your shutter speed. Before we get a little ahead of ourselves, let's explain why. As we briefly introduced in the Exposure Triangle topic post, each corner affects the others. If I'm working with a shutter speed of 1/500, this means I am utilizing little light and telling the camera to take the shot ASAP. However, because I am utilizing a faster shutter speed, I will need to compensate the loss of light by utilizing a high ISO and/or decreasing the aperture.

Freeze Frame or Motion Blur

Let's get to the good stuff! When utilizing your shutter priority mode or when you've mastered the changes in the exposure traingle, you can use shutter speeds to capture your surroudnings in astounding ways.

The first is the ability to freeze movement in an image. This can be done using a very fast shutter speed. This feature can let you capture a particulr subject in astounding detail. Here is an example of a fast shutter speed photo taken to freeze the frame.

The second possibility with shutter speed is the capability of motion blur. To capture motion blur, a slow shutter speed is utilized with the accompaniment of a tripod for stabilization. Most photographers utilize motion blur to capture the speed of water flowing from a waterfall or a race car on a track. Here is an example of a slow shutter speed photo taken to capture motion blur.Photo Courtesy of Digital-Photography School

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Jazz Fest 2014 Lineup!!!

Check out all the great artists who will be at Jazz Fest-New Orleans. Any particular artist you want to see? Who wants to see Tabora Photography there to capture the action?

Video courtesy of Jazz Fest-New Orleans

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The Exposure Triangle

After a long weekend of some intense football, it's time to get back to photography education. For the next couple of days, we are going to be discussing the infamous exposure triangle (ominous sounds!!).

The exposure triangle is made up of three corners that represent what some would say is the "foundation of picture-taking." I'm sure you are all familiar with the 'auto' dial on your cameras. The 'auto' mode uses the best capable photography specifications for your current surroundings - in essence, the exposure triangle. The triangle's corners are as follows: ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture.

Photo Courtesy of Digital-Photography-School

The largest barrier for new photographers is not knowing how to utilize the three sides of the triangles together. To be more clear, when any side of the triangle is utilized, another side is impacted. For example, if I increased the speed of my shutter speed (say from 1/60 to 1/250) that means I am allowing for crispier images with blurred backgrounds but also letting in less light. To compensate for that loss, I will need a larger aperture to allow for more light to enter (larger apertures are smaller numbers f/2.8 or f/5.6). The same applies if I was trying to capture a fully detailed image without blur. I would need more light by slowing shutter speed (say 1/40 over 1/250) and decreasing the size of my aperture to let in less light as I am already doing so through shutter speed (small apertures are larger numbers f/14 or f/22).

Failing to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the exposure triangle can mean having a difficult time taking the pictures you want. Here is a great example of a photo, taken by Izabela Marie, that uses fast shutter speed to capture detailed crisp images with blurred background via larger aperture.

Photo Courtesy of Izabela Marie