Let's say you want to use a lower aperture to decrease the depth of field.

[c.g._eads]

Let's say you want to lower your aperture (I think that's right - in other words, bring it down to a low f-stop number) to have a shallower depth of field. Well, if you're outdoors, aren't you pretty much screwed? You have to open your apeture up if there's low light, or close it down if there's a lot of light. Therefore you're kind of stuck with whatever the light is telling you to do.

If it's a really bright day and you want shallower depth of field, you can't get it through opening up the apeture, right? Cause that would just let more light in and clip your highlights. Or is there a way to do this. What do people do if it's a really bright day and they want shallower depth of field? (not the big hollywood guys, but the average schmoe).

I guess if you're indoors, this is different, because you can always increase or decrease the amount of light in the room, and adjust your apeture.

 

[Chenopup]

"What do people do if it's a really bright day and they want shallower depth of field? (not the big hollywood guys, but the average schmoe"

ND Filters - this allows you to keep your aperature at a fixed stop. You can either use your camera built in filters (manual preferred to electronic) or use glass filters in front of your lens on a mattebox.

cheno

 

[TimurCivan]

if youre using a 35 adpter its not a problem at all. just open up the 35 lens, then dial in exposure with the HVX iris.

 

[Luis Caffesse]

ND would be option #1
If its still not enough you can always bump up the shutter speed.
Granted, it will change the look of the footage a bit - but everything is a compromise.

Point is - there are many ways to control the light coming into your camera - not just aperture.