To stop action, you should

• A. Use a slower shutter speed
• B. Use a faster shutter speed
• C. Use a longer exposure time
• D. Increase ISO

Answer: (B)

Stopping motion in photography comes from shortening the time the sensor is exposed to light. A faster shutter speed does just that—it opens and closes quickly, so the camera records a sharp moment and the subject’s movement is frozen. In practice, fast action often needs around 1/500 second or faster, and very quick motion may require 1/1000 second or higher.

Slower shutter speeds or longer exposure times would capture motion as blur or trails, not a freeze. Increasing ISO changes the sensor’s sensitivity, which helps you keep a correct exposure when you use a fast shutter, but it doesn’t reduce the exposure time by itself and can introduce more image noise. That’s why a faster shutter speed is the method that effectively stops action.