shutter
SHUT-er
/ˈʃʌtər/
A mechanical device that opens and closes to expose the camera's sensor or film to light for a measured period of time.
Refers to the physical curtain or barrier inside the camera body, whereas 'shutter speed' refers to the duration of time this barrier remains open.
The story behind the word. Originally, a 'shutter' was simply a wooden cover for a window used to keep out light or intruders. With the advent of photography in the 19th century, early experimenters used simple manual caps over their lenses. As chemistry improved and exposures became faster, they invented mechanical 'shutters' that could open and close in fractions of a second, borrowing the name from the window covers that blocked out light.
Word relationships
- curtain: 'Curtain' is sometimes used technically to describe the physical fabric of a focal-plane shutter, but 'shutter' is the standard term for the entire mechanism.
Commonly confused with
- aperture: The shutter controls the duration of light exposure, while the aperture controls the intensity or volume of light.
Word family
- shuttered (adjective): Equipped or closed with shutters.
- shuttering (noun): The act of closing or providing with shutters.
Collocations
- shutter speed
- shutter release
- mechanical shutter
- shutter button
Idioms & expressions
- shutter bug
Example sentences
- "A fast shutter speed is essential to freeze the motion of a sprinter crossing the finish line." An explanation of how to freeze fast action in sports photography.
Memory hook
Think of window shutters snapping shut to block out the bright morning sun. Shutters shut out the light.
When not to use
Avoid using 'shutter' when referring to the lens opening itself, which is the aperture.
Fun facts
- Early cameras did not have shutters because the chemical exposures took several minutes; photographers simply removed the lens cap, timed the exposure with a pocket watch, and put the cap back on.
Related words
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