Lesson Three: Shutter Priority Mode

Now on to the Shutter Priority or Tv mode.  Like I mentioned before, for the most part, you'll want to use Aperture priority mode.  However, there are some instances in which Shutter Priority mode is preferable.  If you're shooting sports photography or the subject of your photo is moving quickly, you'll want to shoot in Shutter priority mode.  This is because if you shoot it in Av mode, you'll more than likely get a photo with motion blur.  If you shoot in shutter priority mode, there's one thing you'll want to keep in mind - make sure that the shutter speed is faster than the inverse of the focal length of the lens you're using otherwise your photo will still be blurry.  Sounds complicated but it really isn't.  Here's an example.  If I'm shooting with a 100-300mm lens and I shoot at a focal length of 120mm, I'll want to make sure that my shutter speed is AT LEAST 1/120 second.  Since my camera doesn't have a shutter speed of 1/120 second, I'll want to shoot at 1/125 second.

There are two other reasons for choosing Tv mode over Av mode.  Both of these are for artistic purposes.  The first reason is if you want that milky-looking water fall or cloudy-looking moving water such as lakes/streams.  To do this, you'll want to set the shutter speed to a couple of seconds.  The other reason is if you want light streaks such as car headlight/tail lights.  Just like with moving water, you'll want to set the shutter speed for a couple of seconds.  If you are planning on doing either of these, make sure your camera is on a stable tripod.