Shutter speed refers to how long a camera's shutter remains open, measured in seconds or fractions of seconds. Using a tripod allows for longer shutter speeds, which can blur moving objects while keeping static objects sharp. The document then discusses the photographer's process for experimenting with shutter speeds using a hose and black backdrop to capture water droplets at various shutter speeds ranging from 1/1000 to 1/10 of a second.

1. Shutter Speed - Water
Josh Sampson

2. Shutter Speed
‘Shutter Speed’ is the measurement of how long the camera’s shutter stays open
for to let light though to the sensor. It is usually measured in seconds or fractions.
If you want to obtain the best results you can get, then you should place your
camera on a tripod so that you can use as long exposure as you like. Moving
objects will blur, while static objects will remain sharp, with the extent of the blur
controlled by the length of the shutter speed in use. A long enough exposure time
may even result in fast moving objects seeming like they are completely invisible.
Prior to taking my photographs, I experimented with different variables such as
different coloured backgrounds and water taps so that I knew I would achieve the
best images I could. I concluded after a while that I would use a dark coloured
background, (a black ring binder), and a garden hose pipe which was placed on the
setting of ‘shower’, to ensure I would be able to see each water droplet falling. Each
of my pictures were on an:
• F-stop of 10
• Auto ISO
This shows you how I took each one of
my photographs and shows what they
looked like before each one of them was
cropped.
I used a black
folder as my
backdrop so
that the water
was clearly
visible.

3. A Shutter Speed of 1/1000 and an ISO of 6400
This image is when my camera’s shutter was open for the least
amount of time, therefore is my clearest image.

4. A Shutter Speed of 1/800 and an ISO of 5000

5. A Shutter Speed of 1/400 and an ISO of 2500

6. A Shutter Speed of 1/250 and an ISO of 2000

7. A Shutter Speed of 1/100 and an ISO of 800

8. A Shutter Speed of 1/10 and an ISO of 100
This image is when my camera’s shutter was open for the most
amount of time, therefore is my blurriest image.