Shutter and shutter speed: how long a camera "looks" at the light

The shutter controls how long light reaches the sensor. That time is called the shutter speed: 1/1000 of a second "freezes" motion, 1/30 can cause blur, and 1 second or more is used for night shots and light effects. In phones the shutter is usually electronic.

Short and long shutter speeds

In plain words

Shutter speed is like blinking. Blink quickly and you see a single moment like a frozen picture: a drop of water hanging in the air. Keep your eyes open for a long time in the dark and you see more, but anything moving "smears". A camera does the same: a short shutter speed keeps motion sharp; a long one lets in more light.

How it works

The shutter opens and the sensor starts collecting light.
After the set time, the shutter closes.
A short shutter speed freezes motion but lets in less light.
A long shutter speed lets in more light but blurs motion and hand shake.
In phones the shutter is electronic - the sensor simply starts and stops reading.

Light trails with a long shutter speed

Where you'll see it

In the camera's Pro mode, the S (Shutter) setting. Night mode automatically uses a long combined exposure from a series of shots. Cameras have a mechanical shutter.

Does it matter when buying

For sports, kids and pets you need a short shutter speed - good light helps. For light trails from cars at night or "silky" water, a long shutter speed with a tripod. My tip: in Pro mode, set 1-2 seconds and rest the phone on something - you will get striking shots.

Myths

Myth: A longer shutter speed always gives a better photo. Reality: A long shutter speed blurs motion without a tripod.
Myth: Phones do not have a shutter. Reality: They do - an electronic one - and you can control it in Pro mode.

FAQ

What does 1/125 mean?

A shutter speed of one 125th of a second.

How do I capture car light trails?

Set a shutter speed of 1-5 s and fix the phone on a tripod.

Why are moving people blurred in my photo?

The shutter speed was too long for their movement.