How to select High shutter speeds for moving objects
May 11, 2020 08:44:44 #
I need advice on how to select the appropriate shutter speed for moving objects. Yesterday, I was photographing a Blue Heron who was fishing. I was using a 200 mm lens on a DX sensor (300 mm equivalent on a 35 mm). I know that longer lenses, hand held, require a higher speed. I set the camera at 1/1000, but still had some blurring when the Heron suddenly dove under to get a fish. How do you select between 1/1000, 2000, 4000 (max on my Fuji)? Is it intuition, trial or error, or is there some more scientific method.
May 11, 2020 08:53:14 #
May 11, 2020 08:53:39 #
I'm going out on a limb to declare that experience is the best teacher. Also, the same bird doing the same action may not always perform that action at exactly the same speed each time, so if you don't want any blur you err on the side of caution by going with fastest shutter speed that conditions allow.
You may eventually decide that a "little" blur is preferable to high ISO or shallow depth of field when conditions - such as shade or cloudy day - don't allow more flexibility.
You may eventually decide that a "little" blur is preferable to high ISO or shallow depth of field when conditions - such as shade or cloudy day - don't allow more flexibility.
May 11, 2020 09:07:35 #
There's an app for that. I know we're tired of hearing that phrase, but, Photographer's Companion tailors results to your camera and lenses. Free, excellent!
May 11, 2020 09:11:01 #
guardineer wrote:
How does it factor the speed of subject movement?There's an app for that. I know we're tired of hearing that phrase, but, Photographer's Companion tailors results to your camera and lenses. Free, excellent!
May 11, 2020 09:12:40 #
May 11, 2020 09:21:44 #
Lots of subjects are slow moving until they decide to do something, then all of a sudden they need the fastest shutter speed you can apply. If you want to catch the fastest action your only option is to set your shutter speed for the worst case scenario, even if it's only some of your shots that will need it.
May 11, 2020 09:38:16 #
As Linda notes, a lot is experience.
Use the highest shutter speed which will "freeze" the subject, and provide the best depth of field. Note that I stated "best", not "most". Experiment with ISO settings. Is 400 enough; 600; 1000; etc.?
As you experiment, remember to use a solid tripod. Take out as many variables as possible. It's also possible to get great results by using slower shutter speeds and panning to keep the subject in focus. You can also try "trapping" the subject, that is, anticipate the subject spot and release the shutter at that point. VR is helpful, but not always completely effective.
It's just a matter of experimenting keeping track of the data, and applying it for the future.
Use the highest shutter speed which will "freeze" the subject, and provide the best depth of field. Note that I stated "best", not "most". Experiment with ISO settings. Is 400 enough; 600; 1000; etc.?
As you experiment, remember to use a solid tripod. Take out as many variables as possible. It's also possible to get great results by using slower shutter speeds and panning to keep the subject in focus. You can also try "trapping" the subject, that is, anticipate the subject spot and release the shutter at that point. VR is helpful, but not always completely effective.
It's just a matter of experimenting keeping track of the data, and applying it for the future.
May 11, 2020 09:50:26 #
Electric Gnome
Loc: Norwich UK
Are you sure it was the speed of the Heron causing the blur, could it have been camera movement as 1000sec is pretty fast. Just a polite thought. If you post the image it may be possible for one of the more experienced photographers to tell what caused the blur.
May 11, 2020 10:55:53 #
Definitely could have been camera movement. I was hand holding the camera. I have been taking pictures for a long time. I remember when the maximum shutter speed on my cameras was 1/500. I set it to 1/1000 trying to take everything into account. It just got me thinking, that I really didn't know the magic of selecting those upper shutter speeds. And, from this group, I have learned that there really is no magic.
May 12, 2020 05:29:06 #
I was really surprised by just how fast a shutter speed is needed to avoid blur. I have also been told that the higher the pixel count of the sensor, the higher the shutter speed needed. Sometimes a bit of blur looks good for a moving subject.
May 12, 2020 06:14:23 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
sabfish wrote:
I need advice on how to select the appropriate shu... (show quote)
Personally, I like to shoot as fast as possible, for birds in flight, I like 1/4000 sec. At this speed, it will freeze wing tips.
However, when a Blue Heron throws his head in for a fish, he is doing so very, very, very fast. But, I believe at 1/4000 sec. you should be good.
BUT, you also need to be shooting at a minimum of 10 frames per second, at this minimum it will give you a chance at getting that perfect moment.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
May 12, 2020 06:46:38 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I'm going out on a limb to declare that experience is the best teacher. Also, the same bird doing the same action may not always perform that action at exactly the same speed each time, so if you don't want any blur you err on the side of caution by going with fastest shutter speed that conditions allow.
You may eventually decide that a "little" blur is preferable to high ISO or shallow depth of field when conditions - such as shade or cloudy day - don't allow more flexibility.
You may eventually decide that a "little" blur is preferable to high ISO or shallow depth of field when conditions - such as shade or cloudy day - don't allow more flexibility.
Good, self explanatory answer. Take an image with the fastest shutter speed that your camera has and then see the result and then go from there.
Dave.
May 12, 2020 06:48:03 #
For large birds like that, try to shoot at a minimum of 1/1250 second. A shutter speeds of 1/1600 or 1/2000 second would be better.
May 12, 2020 06:55:00 #
sabfish wrote:
I need advice on how to select the appropriate shu... (show quote)
You'll need to figure out what works for your situation. Start at the high end, 1/4000 and start trying slower shutter speeds until the blur be comes a problem.
Several things that affect blur will change
1) your ability to hand hold an image will improve, minimizing your contribution as a source of blur
2) you'll begin to understand the relationship between distance and blur - and you'll use shorter speeds for close subjects and longer speeds for more distant subjects
3) you'll get better at panning - so movement can be illustrated as long as something on the subject is clear and blur-free.
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