Shutter Speed: Bob Martin

Its difficult to discuss shutter speed without looking at its importance in Sports Photography. After all, the Sports Photographer is forever dealing with movement, and with this, the decision on whether to show it or freeze it (and to what degree).

Bob Martin in one of the world's most famous sports photographers, and three-time winner of British Sports Photographer of the Year award. British born, he has been present at every Olympic Games since 1998 (for the 2012 Olympics, he was the chief photographer for all the 1,456 photographers) , and has been a photographer with the American magazine, Sports Illustrated, since 1994 (1). Needless to say, he is incredibly sought after in the sporting world, and has the 'knack' of making posed images appear as if they have been shot during an event.

The fact Sports Photographers often use prime lenses of 400mm, 500mm and even 600mm with apertures as fast as some of the standard lenses we use, means motion can appear crystal clear and still give a good depth of field, making them perfect for football and other competitive sports.

Not only can Martin choose the perfect moment at which to capture the movement of athletes, but his composition is second to none.

This is obviously a studio-lit portrait of Linford Christie. When using flash or studio lighting, the speed of the shutter takes care of itself. Flash and studio lights allow for a lot slower speeds to be used, acting as compensation, if you will. For instance, my flash doesn't allow speeds of 1/200th second.