The camera shutter is a mechanical device that controls the amount of time that the camera’s image sensor is exposed to light. It is a crucial element in the triangle of exposure, along with aperture and ISO, and plays a major role in the final exposure of a photograph. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the camera shutter and how it works.

The camera shutter is typically located between the lens and the image sensor and consists of a pair of thin metal blades that can be opened and closed. When the shutter is open, light from the lens is allowed to reach the image sensor and expose the photograph. When the shutter is closed, the image sensor is protected from light and the photograph is not exposed.

Shutter speed is the length of time that the shutter is open, exposing the image sensor to light. It is measured in seconds or fractions of a second and is an important element in the triangle of exposure. A longer shutter speed allows more light to reach the image sensor, resulting in a brighter image. A shorter shutter speed allows less light to reach the image sensor, resulting in a darker image.

Shutter speed also affects the appearance of motion in a photograph. A fast shutter speed can freeze action and eliminate motion blur, while a slow shutter speed can create a sense of motion and blur moving subjects. This can be used to create a sense of drama or convey a sense of speed in an image.

In addition to controlling the exposure of a photograph, the camera shutter button also plays a role in the autofocus system of the camera. When the shutter button is half-pressed, the camera will focus on the subject of the photograph and lock the focus. When the shutter is fully pressed, the camera will take the photograph.