Creative writers do not let their computer programs decide what to place on the page. Similarly creative photographers do not have their cameras make all the decisions for them. Once you take your camera off Program Mode, you open up more creative possibilities. Shutter speed selection is one of these creative tools at your disposal.

What shutter speed should you use? How can you decide which is appropriate to get your desired effect?

In this post I'll focus on using the higher shutter speeds which might be needed to freeze moving subjects.

I'll provide some suggestions, along with example photographs.

There are three factors which determine how fast a shutter speed is required: the speed of movement; the angle of the moving subject relative to your position; and the distance between you the photographer and the main subject.

1.5-W_20_0009 In a situation as this where the Bighorn Ram is posing, a I used shutter speed of 1/60 because the only motion I needed to capture was his chewing.

1-P_17_0119Max O'Hagan

This situation needs a medium shutter speed - at least 1/125 of a second. But to be safe use the fastest speed that you can under the existing light conditions. Here I used 1/400 to ensure that Max's arms would not blur.

When you are photographing wildlife, you should be prepared for quick movements, so set the fastest shutter speed possible.

2-01000965-2 In this instance I was prepared, having chosen 1/500 of a second. When the moose calf appeared out of the brush and ran toward its mother, I captured a sharp image. You will not have time to change your settings once the action begins. A bright day allowed the use of a higher speed setting.

3-01000377Cougar (Felis concolor) running - captive species Even though this cougar is running at an angle in my direction, I still needed a fast speed because it was quite close to me. With these types of photos it is critical that the eye is sharp.

4-03000183Common Loon (Gavia immer) Again a fast shutter speed was necessary to freeze the water splashes even though the loon was not moving quickly.

Sometimes you will need to increase your ISO to be able to use a high shutter speed setting.

5-940330 Here I intentionally used a slower shutter speed so that the Ruffed Grouse's wings would show some blurring. A high shutter speed might have frozen its wings, but I wanted to illustrate the bird was drumming in its mating ritual. A high shutter speed would have resulted in only a static portrait.

In the above examples I have not specified my chosen shutter selections. These were made with a film camera, so no such data is available. Still it is difficult to give specific shutter speeds for a given situation. That comes from your practising and experimenting to learn what works.

Wildlife photography in not the only time you'll need to make choices on your shutter speed selection.

6-T_06_0019Dog sled races In this example the dog-sled was approaching and then angled in front of me. I froze the action with a 1/500 shutter speed.

7-P_13_0016Tony Mandle and Tom Tammi These recreational skiers are not moving very fast and are approaching me. A 1/400 shutter speed was sufficient.

8-P_12_0078 Here Jean is skiing at a higher speed down this steep slope and crossing perpendicular to me. I used a shutter selection of 1/1000.

9-M_15_0045Masters Ski Races Ski racers are much faster. A shutter speed of 1/800 luckily worked here.

10-T_15_0322 Since this car in Havana was being driven slowly, 1/250 was sufficient. Note that the driver in rendered very sharp.

11-M_19_0037 But such was not the case with these photos of a race car. In both instances I used a shutter speed setting of 1/1000 just to be safe.

12-M_19_0036 In my next post I'll discuss creative use of slow shutter speeds.

Back in two weeks - February 2.