Common mistakes at every shutter speed (and the best settings you should use)

jmeyer | Photography Tips | 29/05/2012 11:33am

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Blur Action – 1/15sec to 1/250sec

Too much movement
If everything is blurred in your shot, try using a faster shutter speed that will capture the subject sharply.

If this freezes all the action then the subject isn’t staying in the same position in the frame. This is where your new panning techniques come into play.

Not enough movement
If there isn’t enough blur in the background you need to use a slower shutter speed, otherwise your moving subject will look static.

If your shooting situation allows, you should try to alter the speed in small steps so that you can still get the main subject sharp.

Suggested shutter speeds for panning

Fast-moving cars, motorbikes or birds: 1/125sec
Mountain bikes close to the camera: 1/60sec
Mountain bikes, moving animals or running people: 1/30sec

What you can do
Using a burst of flash is a great way of ensuring that your subject is sharp when shooting subjects such as cycling and motocross.

It’s only useful when you can get close to the subject, though, so don’t expect it to make a difference to subjects such as motor racing if you’re a long way from the action.

PAGE 1: 1/250sec and faster
PAGE 2: 1/15sec to 1/250sec
PAGE 3: 1/15sec to 1sec
PAGE 4: 1sec to 30secs
PAGE 5: 30secs or longer