What is Shutter Speed?

Shutter speed is the amount of time it takes for the shutter to open and then close, allowing the light to hit the camera’s sensor. The longer the exposure (the time the shutter stays open), the more light will be captured and therefore the brighter the image will be. Shutter speeds range from 1/30 of a second (30 fps) to 30 seconds or more. The shutter speed is an important part of exposure, so you should understand how it works.

Photo of the night sky with the shutter speed adjusted to capture more light. The stars appear to be falling/raining throughout the sky

Shutter speed is one of the most important settings to understand when it comes to manual photography. Along with Aperture and ISO, it is something you need to master.