A huge misconception exists in the photography world that metering for digital photography is far less important than with traditional film photography. This could not be further from the truth. Although we have a greater freedom in correcting photos like never before with the advent of digital photography, there is the question of why make extra work for you. Also an incorrectly exposed shot can lose subtle highlight and shadows that are often impossible to bring back.

How do you achieve that beautiful dream like appearance where the water looks like flowing dry ice and the surrounding rocks are pin sharp?

Simple it is just a long exposure, sounds great in theory but is it that easy to recreate?

In our previous article we talked about the importance and use of aperture being one of the core settings of photography, today we address the second core setting shutter speed.

Similar to how I prefer to use the term depth of focus rather than depth of field, as it is more intuitive when talking aperture, shutter speed also is slightly misleading. It is not how fast the shutter opens or closes but the length of time it stays open for.

Modern digital cameras are full of functions, shooting modes and add on features but believe it or not only two settings are at the foundation of taking a photo.

Even though we have seen great advancement in camera technology the basis of the camera has not changed in essence it is a box that contains a light sensitive element, in traditional photography that is the film and in digital cameras a sensor.