CONTROL YOUR EXPOSURE

Learn to find the best shutter speed for the look you want

1 SWITCH TO MANUAL

Make sure you have full control of settings by placing the camera in Manual mode. On most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras this allows adjustment of shutter speed, f/stop and ISO, while lower-end cameras may not have this function in a separate video mode.

2 SET APERTURE

Choose an f/stop for the scene you need to shoot. In many cases a wider aperture will give a more pro look but set this based on the standard shutter speed range for video of around 1/50sec, only varying if required.

3 CHOOSE SHUTTER SPEED

A higher setting of more than 1/100sec will create a choppy look to footage which can look unnatural. Around 1/50sec (double the standard frame rate) will prevent obvious blurring but will give smooth, lifelike movement effects, of both the subject and a handheld camera.

4 ADJUST ISO

If you need a high f/stop or your shutter speed drops below 1/50sec increase the sensitivity. However, where possible, keep ISO at the lowest setting of 100 or

200, to minimise distracting moving grain patterns, and maintain sharpness and detail.

5 CREATIVE SHUTTER SPEEDS

To highlight fast action or heightened awareness or anxiety of the subject try using a higher shutter speed of 1/200sec. Each frame will be extremely sharp. Conversely, try a slow shutter speed to introduce obvious motion blur, for dreamlike flashback sequences.