Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPP Practice Questions and Study Guide

The guidance for hand-holding a camera at slower shutter speeds relies on the concept of camera shake, which can degrade image sharpness. The rule of thumb often cited is to use a shutter speed that is at least the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens being used. For example, if you are using a 50mm lens, you would want to use a shutter speed of at least 1/50 of a second to minimize the risk of camera shake.

In many instances, particularly with full-frame sensors, professional recommendations suggest using a shutter speed no slower than 1/60 of a second for handheld photography, especially with standard lenses. This speed is generally accepted as a safe threshold for achieving sharp images, as variations in technique and slight movements in hand-holding can cause blurriness at slower speeds.

Beyond this point, the potential for motion blur increases substantially, particularly as you introduce movement or if the subject is not static. A speed of 1/60 seconds balances the common use of focal lengths and the need to maintain image clarity when shooting without support. Achieving sharpness becomes progressively more challenging as you go below this shutter speed, which is why it is typically recommended as the minimum for handheld photography.