Shutter speed is used for two things in photography: changing the brightness of the photo and creating dramatic effects. Shutter speed operates because of the camera shutter, which is a curtain in front of the camera sensor that opens up when you shoot. It opens up and collects light and closes immediately after. Shutter speed refers to the length of time that the camera shutter stays open and can be changed depending on the picture you want to take.
Motion Blur
Motion blur means streaking or blurring of an object in motion in an image for a visual effect. It is most commonly used in nature photography or sports photography. To achieve the motion blur effect, you have to use a slower shutter speed. This means the shutter stays open for longer, allowing for a long exposure. Because the slower shutter speed allows more light in the camera, there is a risk of overexposing your photo. This can be fixed in Photoshop, but the best results are in low light situations. Another tip for motion blur photography is to use a tripod. If the camera is not stable, it will result in everything looking blurry.
Freeze Motion
Freeze motion is using the settings on your camera to stop (or to ‘freeze’) any movement in your photo. To achieve freeze motion, you have to make sure you are focusing on the correct part of the image. In contrast to motion blur, freeze motion requires a fast shutter speed. A faster shutter speed will open and close the shutter immediately allowing to capture the action in the photo.
