How Your DSLR Shutter Works (2019) - Lesson 1 of 10

What is shutter speed and how does it affect exposure? In this video, David Molnar demonstrates in slow-motion how the shutter mechanism on a DSLR camera works. The shutter is a two-part curtain that opens and closes to allow light to enter the camera sensor for a specific length of time. The time that the shutter is open is referred to as shutter speed. DSLR cameras contain a mirror that bounces light through the lens up to the viewfinder. When the shutter is pressed, the mirror comes up, the shutter opens for the period of time set by the photographer, then closes again. The mirror moves down again and the image is captured. Shutter speed controls the amount of light that enters the sensor of the camera and along with aperture and iso determine the exposure of an image. Fast shutter speeds freeze motion because they only let light enter the sensor for a fraction of a second. Slow shutter speeds let motion show in a photo because longer exposures record light hitting the sensor for a longer period of time. Any motion that occurs during a longer exposure is captured by the sensor. More importantly, varying shutter speed allows the photographer to convey certain emotions in their photographs. Fast shutter speeds are ideal for action shots where the subject moves fast. Slower shutter speeds are ideal for low-light photography (since light has a longer time to be recorded on the sensor), moving water and light trail photography. To discover more about how to use shutter speed for more creative images, visit https://davidmolnar.com/shutter-speed. You’ll discover full tutorials on freezing and allowing motion in your images, syncing flash with shutter speeds, suggested shutter speeds, cheat sheets and more.