Edward Muybridge demonstrated the use of fast shutter speeds by photographing a ...

• A. Running man
• B. Galloping horse
• C. Distant cityscape
• D. Forest scene

Answer: (B)

Freezing fast action with a fast shutter speed is the idea being demonstrated. A galloping horse moves its legs incredibly quickly, so using a high shutter speed lets the camera capture crisp, separate moments of the stride rather than a blur. This was the essence of Muybridge’s contribution: show motion as a series of clear poses and study locomotion by freezing action at precise instants. His setup used multiple cameras triggered in sequence to document the horse’s gait, helping settle debates about how animals move and, famously, whether all four hooves leave the ground during a gallop. Other subjects like a distant cityscape or a forest scene are largely static and don’t convey the rapid, freeze-frame effect as effectively, and while a running person could show motion, the horse example became iconic for illustrating the power of fast shutter speeds to reveal motion.