Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet - Online Photography Exposure Reference

Shutter speed directly controls how much light reaches the sensor. A faster shutter (e.g., 1/1000) lets in less light, requiring wider aperture or higher ISO. A slower shutter (e.g., 1/30) allows more light, making it ideal for low‑light scenes but increases the risk of motion blur.

To avoid camera shake, use a shutter speed of at least 1/(focal length) (full‑frame equivalent). For example, with a 50mm lens, use 1/50s or faster. On crop sensors, multiply accordingly. Image stabilization can allow slower speeds.

For fast action like football or racing, start at 1/1000s or faster. Indoor sports may require 1/500s combined with higher ISO. Professional sports photographers often use 1/2000s – 1/4000s to freeze peak motion.

Use slow shutter speeds: 1/4s to 2s for smooth waterfalls, 1s to 30s for car light trails. A sturdy tripod is essential. Consider using a neutral density filter in bright conditions to avoid overexposure.

BULB mode keeps the shutter open as long as you press the shutter button (or a remote release). It’s used for exposures longer than 30 seconds, such as star trails, firework displays, or extreme low‑light scenarios. A remote trigger is highly recommended to prevent vibration.

A fraction without quotes (1/30) means one‑thirtieth of a second. Numbers followed by a double quote mark (2″) indicate full seconds. For example, “15″” is a 15‑second exposure. Most cameras display a smaller number directly as the denominator when faster than 1 second.

Together they form the exposure triangle. Changing shutter speed by one stop (e.g., 1/250 → 1/125) doubles the light. To maintain the same exposure, you can compensate by closing the aperture by one stop (e.g., f/5.6 → f/8) or lowering ISO by one stop. This cheat sheet helps quickly balance motion vs. light.