Posted by Nelson Leonard Photography Which shutter speeds do I use for a moving horse? Questions first: 1) What film speed (100,200,400 etc) are you using and under what type of lighting conditions? (ie bright full sun, shade/overcast, Low light or flash) 2) What is your cameras fastest shutter speed? (ie 1/500 or 1/1000) etc. 3) How fast is the horse moving and how close to you? What lens? Normal or telephoto? Is the horse walking, trotting, cantoring or running? Lesson Second: This is an easy way to understand shutter speeds work as it relates to distance. Go stand on the edge of a fairly busy road. Now look directly across street at your neighbors house and while watching the cars pass. Swish...in one big blurr. Now follow another car down the road except from it's furthest point seen until it is directly right in front of your house. It looks clear until it passes directly in front. Like before the car passes like a swish looking across the street. Just a blur. Hey the world is ours, embrace it! Best Regards, Nelson
on 9/24/2002, 5:09 pm
Continue to learn and don't ever stop! It's not meant as a derogatory comment but as only a helpful suggestion. I'm here to help...
You want to stop action? Two ways, use a fast shutter speed (250 to 2000 sec) or stop action with flash. Yes flash works in daylight or partsun/overcast days. Only within 7 feet or less for most flash units. Your flash will never over power direct sunlight instead fill in darkest shadow areas.
Shutter speed increases as the subject gets "closer to you" When shooting a subject close up and passing in any direction, you need to shoot your fastest shutter speed in order to stop action. If you get a blurr, try using a flash within 7 feet. If not, backup. You might be too close to stop action with limited shutter speeds. But yet on the other hand some nice effects and photos have come from it.
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