Practical/common uses of shutter angle

[wahrez]

Hi

what shutter angle do u use in typical situations and why?

A static scene, an action scene, undercranked and overcranked? night scenes? are there any particular rules that u follow?

[MarkS22]

That's a really open ended question. You could write a book on the subject.

As a really basic answer:

A "standard" shutter angle is 180 degrees, so if you're shooting 24p, the shutter is "open" half the time (or 1/48th of a second). This is the default on the HVX and what you'd expect from a standard movie that's not going for a unique style.



Smaller shutter angles are used to keep fast moving action crisp. The cliche example of this is "Saving Private Ryan." When you see a splash of water or explosion of dirt or sand... and you can clearly make out the individual droplets and particles, it's likely you're seeing this effect. A tight shutter angle (like 45 degrees or less) can create a raw, stuttering visual style.

Wide open shutters (greater than 180 degrees) cause more motion blur and can add a "dreamy" or "drunken" effect.

The smaller the shutter angle, the less time the image is exposed, the more light you'll need in your scene.

For the most part, it's a creative/artistic decision. Sometimes, you may want to open the shutter a little extra if you're working under low light. You may also want to close the shutter a bit if you intend to composite the shot, as less motion blur can create sharper edges that are easier to extract.

Hope that helps get you started...

[Ronster]

i would try personally not to shoot under a 1/48 shutter or a 180 degree shutter you can pick either or to be displayed on your hvx

it just looks really video when you do the 1/24 shutter which is a 360 degree shutter...although in low light i have been guilty of doing this....it basically gives you another stop and if you aren't shooting action or anything moving that much...ie talking heads you would be ok....again it is a personal preference

I will agree shooting the 1/250 shutter or 33 degree shutter can be a bit "cliched" in that it has a bit more of that saving private ryan stroby feel (on a side note though saving private ryan popularized this method so it became cliched after they did it...because everyone copied them)

this all said I prefer the 250 shutter because it gives the video less a video look...but for talking scenes it might feel a bit off....so the bottom line is try a few and find the one you like......i like to do 1/48 for talking or even 1/50, 1/55 for action I go to 1/60 and sometime 1/250

hope that helps

good luck

Ronster

[Ronster]

i would try personally not to shoot under a 1/48 shutter or a 180 degree shutter (you can pick either shutter or degree to be displayed on your hvx, 1/48 shutter is a 180 degree shutter fyi)

it just looks really video when you do the 1/24 shutter which is a 360 degree shutter...although in low light i have been guilty of doing this....it basically gives you another stop and if you aren't shooting action or anything moving that much...ie talking heads you would be ok....again it is a personal preference not to go to 1/24 (360 degree)

I will agree shooting the 1/250 shutter (33 degree ) shutter can be a bit "cliched" in that it has a bit more of that saving private ryan stroby feel (on a side note saving private ryan popularized this method so it became cliched after they did it...because everyone copied them)

this all said I prefer the 250 shutter because it gives the video less a video look...but for talking scenes it might feel a bit off....so the bottom line is try a few and find the one you like......i like to do 1/48 for talking or even 1/50, 1/55.....for action I go to 1/60 and sometime even 1/250

hope that helps

good luck

Ronster