shutter speed question

B

beyondthenorm

Member
so i havnt really played with the shutter speed. but when and what situations should trigger us to change it to a certain speed? like what if we're running with the cam, is it better to make shutter speed higher? (broad daylight)

thanks!
 
Well, James Longley said he shot Iraq in Fragments with his aperture wide open the whole time, and used his shutter speed (and ND filters as needed) to get the correct exposure.

I haven't played with mine much, but a faster shutter speed can yield less blurring of fast moving objects (sports, racing, etc.), but the trade off is that the object's position from frame to frame is larger, which can lead to a slightly jumpy look.

You should try out different scenarios and see what you like.
 
Yes, higher shutter speeds are good for sporting events, espcially if you're going to do slo-motion or replay effects. However, high shutter speeds can be used to create a sense of panic in a dramatic scene by utilizing quick cuts and fast camera movements, giving that "jumpy" look jmc is talking about.

I would also suggest to a geat deal of tests to see how the shutter speed effects the look.
 
Shutter speed effects both motion blur and exposure. A faster shutter means less motion blur and a sharper look, but it also reduces the total amount of light reaching the sensors. To compensate for the lost light, you would normally open the iris wider. Opening the iris effects both exposure and depth of focus. The wider the iris, the shallower the focus, and the more depth blur there is in the shot. So ultimately there is a balance between how much motion blur there is in the shot (or lack of it) and how much depth blur there is in the shot (or deep focus).

Less motion blur = More depth blur. Less depth blur = More motion blur.

The motion blur at 24 fps with the default shutter setting is the "signature" motion blur look of film. And the moton blur at 60i at the default setting is the "signature" motion blur look of video.

You can also alter the "blur" balance with ND filters, lens choice, GAIN, changing the distance of the camera to the object along with the zoom setting (wide/tele), by controlling light in the scene, and of course by controlling camera motion and the speed of your talent or subjects.

I sometimes use shutter settings to get exposure options when I can't change the light -- if it's too bright or too dark. Other times I use shutter settings for the purpose of controlling depth of focus or for the purpose of controlling motion blur.

If you understand which of the three is a priority in a particular shot, it makes the other choices easier because you know what quality you are exchanging for the one you want to control.
 
Wow! Thanks for the detailed explanation, Andy. It's nice to have the relationships laid out so clearly. :thumbsup: </IMG>
 
thanks! i did a ping pong short film today and because ping pong is a fast sport the swinging and lateral movement were so much nicer with a 120 shutter speed.
 
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