In
photography
Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employe ...
, the shutter-release button (sometimes just shutter release or shutter button) is a
push-button found on many
cameras
A camera is an optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), with a ...
, used to record photographs. When pressed, the
shutter of the camera is "released", so that it opens to capture a picture, and then closes, allowing an exposure time as determined by the
shutter speed setting (which may be automatic). Some cameras also utilize an electronic shutter, as opposed to a mechanical shutter.
The shutter-release button is one of the most basic features of a dedicated handheld camera. Mobile devices such as modern
smartphone
A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whic ...
s have a
touchscreen
A touchscreen or touch screen is the assembly of both an input ('touch panel') and output ('display') device. The touch panel is normally layered on the top of an electronic visual display of an information processing system. The display is ofte ...
button for capturing photos, but also have a physical shutter button as well, as the sound volume buttons are used as such.
The term "release" comes from old mechanical shutters that were "cocked" or "tensioned" by one lever, and then "released" by another.
[
] In modern or
digital photography
Digital photography uses cameras containing arrays of electronic photodetectors interfaced to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to produce images focused by a lens, as opposed to an exposure on photographic film. The digitized image ...
, this notion is less meaningful, so the term "shutter button" or simply "capture button" is more used.
See also
*
Remote shutter
A remote camera, also known as a trail camera or game camera, is a camera placed by a photographer in areas where the photographer generally cannot be at the camera to snap the shutter. This includes areas with limited access, tight spaces where a ...
*
Selfie stick
*
Bulb (photography)
The Bulb setting (abbreviated B) on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is ...
References
{{Photo-stub
Camera features