In photography the shutter-release button (sometimes just shutter release or shutter button) is a button found on many cameras, used to take a picture.^[1] 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 handheld camera.

The term "release" comes from old mechanical shutters that were "cocked" or "tensioned" by one lever, and then "released" by another.^[2] In modern-day photography, this notion is less meaningful, so is gradually falling from use.

[edit] References

1. ^ David D. Busch (2006). Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 260. ISBN 9780470037430. http://books.google.com/books?id=-XENqZmgWm0C&pg=PA260&dq=shutter-button+shutter-release+shutter-release-button&lr=&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES&ei=7wV8SYL2CpPYlQScsKDMBg. 
2. ^ Peter G. Dorrell (1994). Photography in Archaeology and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. p. 42. ISBN 9780521455541. http://books.google.com/books?id=RkBuiowOu1MC&pg=PA43&dq=shutter+cocked+tension+lever+release&lr=&as_brr=3&as_pt=ALLTYPES&ei=6w18SZ_hBJ-4lATm05nsBg#PPA42,M1. 

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