Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second

by Bryan Peterson

The first book in the Understanding Photography series, Understanding Exposure , was a runaway best-seller, with more than 250,000 copies sold. Now author Bryan Peterson brings his signature style to another important photography shutter speed. With clear, jargon-free explanations of terms and techniques, plus compelling “before-and-after” photos that pair a mediocre image (created using the wrong shutter speed) with a great image (created using the right shutter speed), this is the definitive practical guide to mastering an often-confusing subject. Topics include freezing and implying motion, panning, zooming, exposure, Bogen Super Clamps, and rendering motion effects with Photoshop, all with helpful guidance for both digital and film formats. Great for beginners and serious amateurs, Understanding Shutter Speed is the definitive handy guide to mastering shutter speed for superb results.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference, Art

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Bryan F. Peterson has been a full-time commercial photographer since 1981, shooting assignments all over the world for many of the Fortune 500 companies, including Kodak, UPS, and American Expiress. He is also a contract stock photographer for Corbis and Getty. He has been a contributing editor at Outdoor Photographer Magazine and is currently a contributing editor at Popular Photography and Imaging Magazine. Within the photographic community, he is most noted as the author/photographer of four best selling “how-to” photography books, Understanding Exposure, Understanding Shutter Speed, Learning to See Creatively and Beyond Portraits, with two new books due out in the spring of 2009, Understanding Close-up Photography and The Field Guide to Photography. He is also the founder and one of the instructors at the world’s number one on-line photography school, www.ppsop.net.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly a rehash of material from Understanding Exposure, with images re-used from other books as well. There are just enough new tidbits to make it worth reading, but not enough to make it worth adding to my photography library.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some creative ideas of things you can w/ shutter speed. Most of it won't help with everyday photography (although I had one "ah ha" moment about photographing an active toddler--use "burst" mode on your camera! duh!)
Here are some things I'd like to try:
1. Set WB to cloudy. I usually leave mine on auto. Will try this today.
2. Arial photography. Apparently it's possible from a commercial flight as long as you have a window seat and a clear window. Set shutter speed to 1/500.
3. To capture wispy fall leaves rustling, use 1 sec. I am going to try this this fall.
4. To film a "ghost"--use 8 sec. Have subject stand in frame for 4 sec, then leave quickly for the last 4 sec.
5. For "rain"--use an oscillating sprinkler. Subject should be backlit. use 1/60 sec, ISO 100 or 200
6. Action coming towards you: use 1/250 sec. Side to side, use 1/500 sec

There are some things that are just too much work for me (like the sparkler effects, although maybe I'll try that with out the elaborate set up). I have not played around w/ rear curtain flash on my camera. Still unsure about that. Also unfortunately I have to shoot in jpeg due to my software (iPhoto) not yet recognizing RAW format on my D7000. Hopefully Apple will update that eventually..

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...this book is a good book especially if you are not great with shutter speed. If you are already comfortable and have working knowledge of shutter speed this book might offer a few fun ideas but isn't great for general photography.

[Wyatt]

There is not much found in this book that isn’t covered in a newer edition of the author’s “Understanding Exposure”. A majority of the examples and explanations are shot for shot in both books.

The extra value in this book is a small section on composition, which can be found in much greater in detail in many other books.

Read Understanding Exposure 4th edition and skip this one.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book about how to use shutter speed to make creative photos, definitely get this one. There are many examples, with photos and accompanying technical data. Some of them include stories behind how the images were made as well.

[Paul Swiech · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to understanding that shutter speed is more than you thought.

[Sebah Al-Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

لطيف. يتناول فكرة تأثير سرعة إغلاق العدسة أثناء التصوير على الصور. أعجبتني كثيرا طريقة تناوله للشرح، حيث قام بتوضيح ما قدمه من خلال قياسات مفهومة و قدم عرضا لصور مختلفة تصور نفس الحدث لكن بإعدادات مختلفة ليسهل على القارئ فهم الاختلاف بينها.

مع ذلك، لأني شاهدت فيلما تعليميا للكاتب عن التصوير، لم أجد الكثير من الأشياء الجديدة في الكتاب. لكنه يبقى مفيدا.

اقتبست:

"You will always attain the fastest possible shutter speed at any given ISO when you use the largest possible shutter opening. You will be able to attain the slowest possible shutter speed at any given ISO by using the smallest possible lens opening."

[ctwayfarer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavily borrows a lot of concepts and illustrations from his other book, "Understanding Exposure", yet goes into extensive detail on this niche of photography. I actually found the chapter on RAW imagery particularly interesting. He speaks of RAW as a kind of anti- neutral density filter; a filter (albeit digital) that by allowing the freedom of underexposing a bit (and making up for this in post-processing), can help you get that shutter speed a stop or two faster. Recommended reading.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a basic understanding of how aperture, shutter speed and ISO play key roles in shooting manual, you'll learn a LOT from this book. Peterson's stuff is great for a crash course in better understanding your camera.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Bryan Peterson's books because he writes in a very straightforward, practical way and provides a wide range of useful information. He doesn't get overly technical just for the sake of being technical.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

again, nothing more as too much emphasize on understanding the basic of photography..large populations are ignoring the fact that shutter speed, exposure, ISO are the most fun part and fundamental for photography...get your lomo out and learn it.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

bryan makes it so easy to understand photographic principles. I already own his understanding exposure book and after reading this one I feel even more competent behind the lens. excited to find more from him

[Pandeeswaran Bhoopathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the finest writings from Bryan Peterson. I like this book, albeit some of the contents are duplicated in "Exposure Solutions" book which i already completed reading. I recommend this book to all the entry to mid level photographers.

[Bakari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful book on the subject.

[Jakenv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most photographers have this in the library and share with beginners. Bryan is excellent teacher so you cannot go wrong with any of his books.

[Timothy Champney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that is part of a series on camera basics.

[Dave Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for every aspiring photographer

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryan Peterson always does a great job and this book is no exception.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful guide for understanding the basics of moving subjects.

[Ralph N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much new from his other book, but the examples are motivating to see.