How to Freeze Motion in Film Photography
- 1). Examine the motion to determine the appropriate shutter speed. The faster the motion, the faster the shutter speed. Typically, a person walking freezes at a shutter speed of 1/125 while a very fast object such as a car freezes at around 1/1000. If you are unsure of the appropriate shutter speed, opt for a slightly faster speed.
- 2). Turn the camera's shutter speed dial to the appropriate number. To photograph the image at the speed of 1/125, turn the dial to "125."
- 3). Measure the light in the scene. Turn on your light meter and input the shutter speed and film ISO. Hold the light meter in front of the camera with the light meter facing away from the subject.
- 4). Examine the light meter's screen to display the appropriate aperture.
- 5). Turn the aperture dial to the appropriate number. If you lack a light meter, estimate the aperture. Typically, a sunny day requires an aperture near 8 or 11 and a dimly lit room requires an aperture near 2.8 or 4. The shorter the shutter speed, and lower the ISO, the higher the necessary aperture.
- 6). Point your camera at the image and remove the lens cap.
- 7). Look through the viewfinder. Frame the image and adjust the focus knob until the image is in focus. Press the shutter release.
