You have your new camera and you’re ready to start taking some amazing images! There’s just one problem: it has way too many settings with some that you’ve never even heard of (like shutter priority). One option is to select the automatic mode. But doing so mean not only are you not learning but you are also not using the full capabilities of your camera.

You might be familiar with what a shutter actually does for a camera, but what does the shutter priority do to your images? Figuring it out through trial and error could work, but it’s pretty time consuming and you’ll probably miss out on some great photo opportunities while you’re playing around. To save you time and frustration, check out the following guide that will answer the question: what is shutter priority and when to use it?

What is shutter priority?

After you’ve learned about shutter priority, it’s not an exaggeration to say that it will change the way you take photos. It’s a pretty essential semi-automated setting built into the camera function that allows for greater ease of use concerning both shutter speed and aperture.

Shutter priority is often designated on a camera by an ‘S’ on the mode dial. It can also be displayed as “Tv”, which stands for time value (it depends on the brand of camera you have). By selecting shutter priority, the camera will let you choose which shutter speed you want to use while the aperture is automatically set for you. This will ensure the proper exposure for the image you’re about to take.

Even if you are a seasoned pro, often you won’t have time when a fleeting moment presents itself to set every setting and take the photo in time. So this is a great way to get a little quick help from the camera.

So, is it like manual mode?

Not exactly. It’s halfway to manual mode since manual mode allows you to choose both the shutter speed and the aperture settings. There’s also an inverse mode from shutter priority, called aperture priority, which the photographer can set the aperture value while the camera takes care of the shutter speed for you.

But instead of diving into all of these different modes, for the purposes of this article, we’re just going to take a look at shutter priority and how it can benefit your photography.

When should I use shutter priority?

Since this mode lets you take total control of the shutter whilst the aperture is automatically updated for you, it gives you a little more freedom to get the overall frame right. Shutter speed is important because the higher/faster the shutter speed, the less light will be hitting your image sensor.

Using shutter priority can be a great way to successfully freeze a moving object in your photo. You can set a faster shutter speed to keep up with the movement of your subject without having to worry about the aperture. For example, let’s say that you’re trying to take a picture of a moving car. Unless you want it to be really blurred as it barrels down the road, you will want to select a fast shutter speed. Trying to select the appropriate shutter speed and aperture might mean you miss the car.

So, you won’t want to waste time with various settings, but you also don’t want to completely rely on your camera to get them all right on its own. Hence, shutter priority lets you quickly set a higher shutter speed without having to take the time to adjust the aperture.

You can also show movement

Shutter priority mode is also great for showing movement in an image, or perhaps a time when you want some blurred images. You could set the shutter speed lower so that you capture light trails or active movement of a subject. It’s a really neat effect that makes your image more alive, and shutter priority will allow you to leave the aperture alone while you click away. It is recommended that you have a tripod for shots like this, of course, since you want to remain steady on the scene.

Shutter priority is usually great for sporting events or other settings where you expect lots of quick action. This is especially important if your action is unpredictable. For example, if you’re scouting locations for an upcoming soccer game, and you plan to be right on the field with other photographers, shutter priority could come in handy.

Since you won’t be able to predict the exact position of the players, the ball, or the action, then shutter priority becomes vital. You’ll want to adjust your shutter speed quickly without having to mess around with other settings.

What about lighting conditions?

Lighting is always important in photography, and using shutter priority means that you need to pay attention to your lighting conditions as well. If the lighting is too dim than your final photos might end up being underexposed if you’re letting the automatic settings take over.

It’s a quick fix: just reduce the shutter speed since this allows more light to enter the camera sensor. You’ll get a more appropriately exposed photo. If you have a strong light source, then you may want to increase the shutter speed, since this will allow less light into the camera sensor. Think about these things in advance so that you are not caught off guard concerning, especially if you plan on being outdoors.

Shutter priority mode is one of the most useful settings on your camera for photographing scenarios where speed is of the essence. Learning how and when to use this setting effectively could be the difference between nailing a shot or missing it. So pays to spend a bit of time practising with this setting so that you are ready when you need it.