Shutter Speed

This assignment and the "Using Aperture to Control Depth of Field" assignment are both meant to teach students how settings on a 35 mm camera or Digital SLR will influence the outcome of photographs. They both are done with Digital cameras.

Students are shown photographs that illustrate how shutter speed influences, or contributes to, motion blur. Students are to use the digital cameras and set up situations where they can illustrate motion blurs in their photographs. Some may be able to hand in their raw photographs, while others may need to use Photoshop's motion blur filters to effectively convey the desired motion blurs. Using similar or identical photographs, students are to illustrate the motion blur that could happen with:

  • 1. A slow shutter speed and a steady camera.
  • 2. A slow shutter speed and a camera that is panned with the motion of the object.
  • 3. A fast shutter speed that stops motion without blurring.


  • Evaluation:

    3 points -- Accurate representation of shutter speed blurring effects.
    3 points -- Accurate motion blurs (all parts that should be blurred are.)
    2 points -- Quality of photograph(s) used.
    2 points -- Followed directions.(Students: click here for specific directions)
    10 points total



    Below is an example of how important shutter speed is. The Helicopter's blades are turning but the camera's shutter is firing in sync with the blade rotation, causing it to look as if the blades aren't moving. A strobe light can a similar effect.


    See also this image that explains the "Exposure Triangle".

    Click here to see my example and explanation

    local PSD examples