Hello Reader !

I have a confession to make.

Even after 35 years of photography, I still second-guess my shutter speed choices.

Too fast, and I lose the beautiful motion blur I wanted.

Too slow, and the subject isn’t as tack-sharp as I’d like.

Sound familiar?

At first, I thought shutter speed was just about technical precision—following a formula to get the “right” setting.

And while that’s partly true…

The real challenge is knowing what “right” actually means for your image.

Think of it Like Driving a Car

You don’t just slam on the breaks and hope for the best when you're on the road.

You adjust based on conditions.

Need to stop quickly on dry pavement? → You hit the brakes hard and stop fast.

• Use a fast shutter speed to freeze motion.

​

Driving on wet roads? → You slow down and brake earlier to stay in control.

• A slightly slower shutter speed can add just enough blur without losing detail.

​

On snow or ice? → You ease into the brakes gradually to avoid skidding.

• Like using a long exposure to create a smooth, flowing motion.

​

Shutter speed works the same way...

...decide on your creative vision for the situation.

​

Want to freeze the action? → Use a fast shutter speed.

Want to show movement? → A slower shutter speed creates intentional blur.

​

And just like road conditions affect how you accelerate and brake, factors like subject size, lighting, lens choice, stabilization, wind gusts, and more impact your shutter speed choice.

And that’s where things get tricky.

Even after choosing to freeze or blur the action, the correct shutter speed still isn’t always obvious.

Okay, So You’ve Chosen Your Creative Vision… Now What?

You’ve probably heard advice like:

"The faster the subject, the faster the shutter speed you’ll need."​
​"If you want motion blur, slow it down."

Sounds simple, right?

But in the moment, that advice isn’t always helpful.

Because what happens when the light is fading fast… or your subject won’t sit still… or a strong gust of wind throws off your stability?

That’s when theory meets reality.

the Windy Wildlife Challenge

I was shooting along the Florida coast, battling strong gusts of wind while hand-holding my z8 and 50mm lens.

As I stood there contemplating a composition for a landscape image, as the sun behind me began to set, I saw off in the distance a swarm of Pelicans charging toward my position.

I quickly switched from my wide-angle to a heavy 180-600 super-telephoto, dialed in the Aperture to wide-open (f/9), and set Auto ISO.

Now, I had to decide on the Shutter Speed.

Oh, and no tripod or monopod was in sight!

Typically, 1/500 sec is enough to freeze a large, slow-moving bird like this.

But given the wind, my long lens, and exhaustion (from a full day of shooting), I played it safe.

So, I cranked my shutter speed up to 1/3200 sec.

How did I know to use that shutter speed?

Luckily, a long line of pelicans glided by, giving me a chance to fire off a few test shots before landing on the right setting.

Sometimes, that’s the best you can do.

Pro Tip

When in doubt—or when the moment is fleeting—start with a faster shutter speed (than what you think you might need).

You can always adjust down, but you can’t redo a missed shot.

the Waterfall Mistake

I wanted to create that silky-smooth waterfall effect.

But I guessed wrong on my shutter speed.

Why?

Because I rushed the shot.

It was late. My wife and daughter were waiting, and they were hungry.

Instead of taking a few extra seconds to get it right…

I snapped the shot and ended up with this...

This is not a good photo. And now that you've seen it… let's never speak of it again.

This, however, is what I actually wanted...

So, how do you choose the correct shutter speed in the heat of the moment?

The Hard Truth About Shutter Speed

You won’t always nail it on the first try.

Even with 35 years of experience, I sometimes need two or three test shots to dial it in.

But what if your subject doesn’t wait?

A Kingfisher won’t pause mid-flight while you adjust your settings after all.

So, what’s the solution?

It’s not a secret.

It’s being prepared.

Plan Ahead for Success

Photographing a waterfall?

• Research first. Check Instagram, Facebook, or Google Images for this location.
• Look at settings used by other photographers. If the waterfall is lesser-known, find a similar-sized one for reference.
• Ask in PhotoMation. I’m happy to guide you with the best settings.

Photographing wildlife?

• Encounters are unpredictable, so preparation is key.

That’s why I have three go-to shutter speeds for wildlife:

Wildlife Pro Tip

🦜 The smaller the bird, the faster the wing speed—so you’ll need a faster shutter to freeze the action.

📷 To minimize camera shake, set your shutter speed to at least twice the focal length of your lens. (Example: A 200mm lens = 1/400 sec minimum shutter speed.)

Want a Quick-Reference Shutter Speed Guide?

Ever wish you had a cheat sheet in the field when you’re second-guessing your settings?

I’ve got you covered.

PhotoMation Members: Download it here.
​Non-Members: Click here to grab your free copy.

​
Have an awesome day!

Chris Parker

Parker Photographic

P.S. Try the three-speed system on your next outing. Your hit rate will instantly improve.

Got a tricky situation? Reply to this email or post in PhotoMation.

Let’s dial in the perfect shutter speed together.

​

269 WALKER ST V5718, Detroit, Michigan 48207-4258
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​