Shooting at 1/100 shutter… Do I have a warped mind?

Kindredmachine

Kindredmachine

Well-known member
I normally shoot the AF-100 at 1/60 shutter but I REALLY like the look of “choppier” footage. Would it be odd if I wanted to shoot an entire film at 1/100 shutter or higher? Has anyone else done this or am I just weird? I know I would loose a lot of light but I think I could manage it.
 
The difference between 1/60 and 1/100 is fairly subtle in terms of the motion artifacts -- it could be just the right look for some subjects (or some director's preferences). No harm in giving it a try. You don't get into the really stuttery looking motion range until the shutter gets up around 1/200 or so, IMHO. (This could also be dependent on the projector/display used to some extent).

One thing to watch out for would be strobing under fluorescent or other non-continuous light sources. If you're going to fully light all the scenes yourself, this can be worked around.

- Greg
 
I begin shooting a new disasters documentary in Japan, Israel and other places very soon and I was considering shooting all of the outdoor segments in 1/100 or higher and the indoor lit interviews in 1/60. Should make a nice change betwene the "relaxing" interview segments versus the higher energy disaster and warzone areas; creating a greater sense of anxiety. This is sort of what I was thinking and I think I'm going to go for it. :-)
 
imdjay said:
the staccato effect is good for tense, action, quick, speedy, intense, etc.. type situations
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the common application but I was asking about using in other situations as an astetic look for a disaters documentary. For exmaple, instead of the scene being "action" oriented, I'm curious of dramtic music with disaster footage at a high shutter rate would crate the same anxious feel though no "fast paced action" is occuring. The feel would be more suggestive intensity. I guess people just stick to 1/50 or 1/60. Just trying to break the mold here but maybe it shouldn't be broken.
 
Last edited:
Faster shutter was used in parts of the doc Iraq In Fragments (in rolling shots/driving scenes), though it was probably much faster than 1/100.
With a crazy music score, it definitely created a psychological feeling.

Bottom line- do a test.
 
I think the only real danger would be that you overdo it and audience will at some point start feeling pushed around a bit. Depends on how long the project and how often you'd apply the effect. And with a 1/100 it's still quite mild.
 
Without fast movement, the higher shutter speed won't be as noticeable, so it may not really have a pronounced effect.

It may be a good idea to shoot some tests to see how slower and higher shutter speeds cut together before committing to the look for your doc.

Put up some samples and then we can more more accurately tell you if you have a warped mind or not :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top