Shutter speed plays a huge role in how your images turn out, but it’s easy to fall into default habits like 1/125 of a second. Moving beyond those defaults opens up creative possibilities, whether you’re capturing motion blur or freezing fast action.
Coming to you from e6 | Craig Roberts, this thought-provoking video explores the entire spectrum of shutter speeds. Roberts starts with the “safe” choices—like f/8 paired with 1/125—and compares them to bold alternatives. Faster speeds, like 1/4,000 of a second, can freeze even the fastest-moving subjects, while slower ones let you creatively blur motion. For example, Roberts highlights how slow shutter speeds, combined with image stabilization, allow you to shoot handheld and capture dynamic effects without a tripod. This flexibility encourages experimenting with lower speeds, pushing your creativity further than you might expect.
Roberts also discusses how high-speed shutter settings can serve more than just action shots. On bright, sunny days, using a wide aperture like f/1.4 can lead to overexposure. High shutter speeds compensate, letting you achieve correct exposure while maintaining shallow depth of field. Cameras with electronic shutters unlock even faster speeds, ensuring that creative options remain open even in challenging lighting. While some might dismiss these high settings as unnecessary, Roberts suggests they’re worth exploring for the unique results they can produce.
For those intrigued by slower speeds, Roberts dives into the artistry of long exposures. Using neutral density (ND) filters, you can control light and stretch exposures to 30 seconds or longer. These techniques create dramatic effects like smooth water or streaked clouds. Roberts also introduces intentional camera movement (ICM), a method of adding motion blur by moving the camera itself. By experimenting with subjects and techniques, you can develop a personal approach to creating abstract, dynamic images.
Exploring your camera’s full range of shutter speeds can transform your approach to photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Roberts.
