What is shutter speed?

Shutter speed refers to the length of time that a camera's shutter remains open to allow light to hit the sensor or film when taking a photograph. It is a critical component of exposure, influencing how motion is captured in an image—faster shutter speeds can freeze motion, while slower speeds can create a blur effect. Measured in seconds or fractions of a second, it works in conjunction with aperture and ISO to control the overall brightness and clarity of a photo. Adjusting shutter speed is essential for achieving the desired creative effect in Photography.