A fast shutter speed primarily does which of the following?

• A. Increases depth of field
• B. Freezes or stops the action of an image
• C. Blurs action
• D. Overexposes the image

Answer: (B)

Fast shutter speeds control motion capture by shortening the exposure time, so a fast-moving subject is recorded with little or no motion blur and the action is effectively frozen. This is why it’s ideal for sports, wildlife, or any scene with rapid movement. Depth of field is determined mainly by aperture and distance to the subject, not shutter speed, so a fast shutter won’t inherently increase depth of field. Blurring action happens when the shutter is slow, because more movement is recorded during the longer exposure. Overexposure relates to having too much light reach the sensor, which is influenced by aperture and ISO as well as exposure time, and a fast shutter speed typically reduces exposure rather than causes overexposure. So the description that the fast shutter speed freezes or stops the action best matches what it does.