How do I set the shutter speed on my SLR camera?
Step 1: find the right setting
Grab your camera and turn it on. Turn the camera so the top is facing toward you. On top of the camera, you'll find a control dial with various modes. In the P, Tv, and M modes, you can manually adjust the shutter speed on a Canon SLR camera. With a Nikon camera, you can do this in the P, S, and M modes. If you want the camera to automatically adjust the other settings, based on the shutter speed, simply set the dial to Tv/S modus.
Step 2: setting shutter speed
Look through the viewfinder or check the screen to see the subject you're taking a photograph of to decide on the correct shutter speed. Is your subject moving? Use a short shutter speed in order to 'freeze' your subject. If you're looking to the capture the actual movement, go for a longer shutter speed.
Step 3: turn the dial
In addition to the control dial on top of your SLR camera, you'll also find a smaller dial. You can turn this dial right for a short shutter speed, and left for a longer shutter speed. Usually, you'll also see the current shutter speed displayed on the screen of your camera. You can recognize the shutter speed by values such as 1/1000, 1/250, 1/1.3, and 5". If you see these value change, you know you've found the right button.
Step 4: take the photo
You've set up the correct shutter speed, so now it's time to take the picture. Press the shutter button that usually use to take a picture. When using a short shutter speed, you can do this while holding the camera in your hands. If you're opting for a longer shutter speed, the camera will be very sensitive to motion blur. In this case, it's best to use a tripod. To make sure you're taking a sharp picture, use the self timer.
