Another in our series of challenges for the AP members learning how to use their cameras. So if you are New To Photography, give these challenges a go, learn to get off Auto Mode, and understand how camera features work, and interact with each other.

This challenge to our members that want to learn to take control of their digital camera is based on the Learning Centre topic : Experimenting with Shutter Speeds.

We would like you to set your camera to Shutter Speed mode (usually called S). Check your camera manual in need, on how to set your camera to Shutter Speed mode. Using your camera in this way is called "Semi-Automatic", cause we are going to let you set one of the camera settings and the camera set the rest. This allows you to concentrate on the shutter speed component and get an understanding of how shutter speed affects your resultant photos, without having to consider the other camera controls.

By using the NTP Learning Plan, working your way through it, along with posting photos to the member's photos forums, and taking on board the critique and feedback, you can learn to master your camera and become a better photographer.

THE CHALLENGE: We want you to go out and take two photos of the same subject. One at a shutter speed of 1/250th second or faster, and one at 1/25th of a second, or slower. Then post both photos here, explaining what you learnt from using the different shutter speeds. Just a quick note, at 1/25th of a second or slower, you will need to stabilise your camera with a tripod, or stable surface (fence post, car roof, etc).

There is also a good example of what a slower shutter speed does in this water example, to help you achieve your photos and understanding of shutter speed for this challenge. By gaining an understanding of how shutter speed affects your photos, you will learn to improve, and know when to use either a slow of fast shutter speed.

The full New To Photography Learning Centre is in the Ausphotography Library, under New To Photography

Looking forward to seeing your two photos presented for the challenge and your discussions about what you have learnt from the challenge, and how changing the shutter speed can visually affect the resultant photos. Also remember to look at what changing the shutter speed does to the other camera settings (particularly aperture) when photos are taken in semi-auto shutter speed mode. What happens to the aperture, and why does it happen.

Enjoy the challenge, have fun taking your photos. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with and what you discover about how shutter speed can dramatically change the same scene.