11 HOW TO CHOOSE A SHUTTER SPEED11 How to Choose a Shutter SpeedThe shutter controls exposure by the length of time it remains open. The basicfunction of shutter speed is to provide correct exposure, but you can also use it tocontrol the expression of your subject’s motion and to control the effect of cameramovement.11.1 Freezing MotionThe faster the subject is moving, the higher the shutter speed required to stop theaction. To freeze the motion of a pedestrian, for example, choose a speed of at least1/60 sec.; for a moving car, as fast as 1/1000 sec. The motion of the motorcycle inthis photo was frozen at 1/2000 sec.21
