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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Long Exposures – 1sec to 30secs

Camera movement
Even with the camera mounted on a tripod it can still move, causing the image to blur. In windy conditions, try weighing down the tripod with your camera bag to minimise the movement.

It’s also worth checking that the feet of the tripod are on solid ground (check out our 4 tips for sharper shots when using a tripod).

Suggested shutter speeds to blur movement

Moving foliage in gentle wind: 30secs
Traffic trails: 20secs
Smooth seas: 15secs
Fast-moving clouds: 8secs
Waves, retaining some detail: 1sec

What you can do
If you’re shooting before sunrise or after sunset, the light levels will change quite rapidly. So you’ll have to set a smaller aperture (or use a faster shutter speed) as dawn approaches, or as it gets darker after sunset you’ll need to use a larger aperture (or decrease the shutter speed).

For more on how to do this, check out our photography cheat sheet on when to use a small or wide aperture.

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