Often when I ask photographers I begin working how they think of a camera and a photograph, many will answer by describing the camera and photograph as things that create memories.

I agree. 

It's a worthy sentiment and brings historical and emotional value to photography and photographers' work.

And while there are many uses of photography, photographs as visual records of history, especially when bringing up memories of family and friends, are close to my heart. 

When we make an exposure with our camera, we use two components that make up exposure. 

Aperture and shutter speed.  

Shutter speed is the time component.

And shutter speed choices usually consist of preset increments of time and may include speeds ranging from 30 seconds to 1/8000 of a second.

So, when we pick a shutter speed, we choose an increment of time to make an exposure.

And the time that exposure is made is the time that passes between starting and ending the exposure.  

Some are longer increments of time, and some are shorter.

We can also think of faster or slower increments of time or more or less time.

And anything that happens during the exposure is recorded in the photograph. 

In other words, those memories we create are relatively small amounts of time, and depending on the shutter speed we pick and the speed and amount of movement that occurs during the exposure, we can record motion as blurred or static (not blurred). 

If we use a fast enough shutter speed relative to the movement occurring during the exposure, motion records as static. 

And if we use a slow enough shutter speed relative to the movement occurring during the exposure, motion records as blurred. 

Either is fine, depending on our intent of composition. 

I offer two classes that will get you familiar with how shutter speed works as a compositional element.

The 2-hour Getting To Know Your Camera class uses the shutter priority mode to do this. 

And the 4-meeting, 10-hour Introduction to Photography class will get you to explore the visual cause and effect of shutter speed in manual exposure mode over the length of the course.  

Introduction To Photography classes starts on June 30 and 

July 9. 

Spaces are limited to five. 

So, reserve your spot now.