Shutter Speed disadvantages

Cole

Cole

Well-known member
I know I am right on the heels of a similar shutter speed question, but I didn't want to hijack it.

What is the disadvantage to using the shutter speed to control the lighting? Here is the situation in question. I watched a video by Doug Jensen called "How to Setup, Light & Shoot Great Looking Interviews" (Great DVD by the way). During the section on exposure & depth of field he suggests that to enhance the DOF you should try to keep the iris as open as possible (that I get). If having the iris open causes over exposure he specifically states to not change the shutter speed, but rather adjust your lighting. He states that changing the shutter speed will have unwanted side effects whenever there is motion in the frame.

Can someone elaborate on “Unwanted Side Effects”?

Thanks,

Cole
 
Again, because higher shutter speeds can essentially stop motion (think high-speed stills for sports action... the soccer player captured mid-kick), it can also create a strobe effect with moving images. This is great when you want to bring out the water droplets for wakeboard footage, but not so much for most other situations.

So, if it's down to shutter speed as the last option to control the exposure level, you need to start thinking about ND filtering. The camera has only so much built-in (though that should be plenty), but you can get filters. If you have a matte box, go for filters that fit the trays there. If not, go for ND that will screw onto the lens. Either way, don't cheap out. Invest in decent glass so you don't ruin your images.
 
I've run into problems where my shutter is my last hope. Well, it's not my last hope per say, but the look I want, well, the only way to achieve it was to use the shutter. But I was at 24pA so I didn't want strobing/jitter.

Just my experience,

Robbie
 
Yeah... you'll find that. Shutter speed is one of those things that you mess with only to get a certain look, or because it is you last hope.

But staying armed with plenty of ND can help to avoid the latter.
 
Thanks for the replies. I guess it's something I will play with in between takes and compare when I edit. At least now I know what to look for.

Cole
 
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