Selecting the TV mode on your digital SLR puts it into shutter priority mode. In this mode you have full control over the shutter speed and are free to set it to any value your camera allows (typically between 30 seconds and 1/1000 of a sec.
Once you have set the shutter speed the camera will determine the best aperture to use based on the current light conditions, lens focal length and ISO settings.
Typically your camera will warn you if the shutter speed set is too quick or slow to obtain what the camera thinks is an acceptable exposure, prompting you to either increase or decrease the shutter speed. Typically this is indicated by a flashing light in the view finder.
When to Use Shutter Priority (TV) Mode
TV mode is best used when you want or need a certain shutter speed in order to achieve a particular creative effect in a photograph. If for example you want to photograph a speeding racing car then you’ll obviously need to select a quick shutter speed such as 1/1000 of a second. On the other hand should you want to photograph a waterfall and have the water appear soft and fluffy like then you might need to set a slower exposure such as 4 seconds.
When using shutter priority mode you in effect lose the ability to manipulate the aperture in order to achieve different effects such as blurred backgrounds. In Shutter Priority (TV) mode the aperture will be selected by the camera so that it allows enough light into your camera for a decent exposure.
Freezing the action at 1/200 of a second using TV Mode
Tips to Use Shutter Priority (TV) Mode
Generally this mode should only be used when you have a set effect in mind that you want to capture. As a generally walkabout mode we would suggest either manual or aperture priority mode.
If you are using shutter priority mode to achieve a long exposure via a slow shutter speed then you will almost certainly benefit from using a tripod. Using a tripod (or something else to rest your camera on, such as a wall or post) is essential for long exposure shots. Doing so enables you to achieve sharp images with long exposures even in almost pitch black light.
Even when using a tripod pressing the shutter release button more often than not causes your camera to move a small amount. Because we want to keep the camera perfectly still try using a shutter release cable or remote to trigger your shutter. If you do not have either of these then simply use the self timer function on your camera – set it to say 3 seconds so your camera has time to self right between you pushing the button and the shutter firing.
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