2 What is the 180-degree rule?

The 180-degree rule is a guideline that suggests that the shutter speed should be twice the frame rate of the video. For example, if you are shooting at 24 frames per second (fps), your shutter speed should be 1/48 (or the closest available option, such as 1/50). This rule aims to create a natural motion blur that mimics how the human eye perceives movement. If you deviate from this rule, your video may look too choppy or too smooth, depending on whether you use a faster or slower shutter speed.

3 How to use shutter speed creatively?

While the 180-degree rule is a good starting point, you may want to experiment with different shutter speeds to achieve different effects. For example, you can use a faster shutter speed to freeze action, create a sharp and crisp image, or emphasize fast movements. This can be useful for sports, wildlife, or action scenes. On the other hand, you can use a slower shutter speed to create motion blur, smooth out camera shake, or convey a sense of speed or movement. This can be useful for time-lapses, low-light situations, or artistic shots.

4 How to avoid flickering and banding?

One issue that you may encounter when using different shutter speeds is flickering or banding. This happens when the frequency of the artificial light source (such as a lamp or a monitor) does not match the frequency of the shutter speed. For example, if you are shooting in a 60Hz environment (such as the US) and you use a shutter speed of 1/50, you may see flickering or horizontal lines on your video. To avoid this, you need to match your shutter speed to the frequency of the light source. For example, you can use a shutter speed of 1/60, 1/120, or 1/180 in a 60Hz environment.

5 How to compensate for exposure changes?

Another issue that you may face when using different shutter speeds is exposure changes. As you change your shutter speed, you also change the amount of light that reaches the sensor. This means that you need to adjust your aperture and ISO accordingly to maintain a balanced exposure. For example, if you increase your shutter speed to freeze action, you may need to open your aperture or increase your ISO to compensate for the loss of light. Alternatively, you can use a neutral density (ND) filter to reduce the amount of light entering the lens without affecting the depth of field or the noise level.

6 How to monitor your shutter speed?

The last tip is to monitor your shutter speed and its effects on your video. You can use the histogram, zebras, or exposure meter on your camera to check your exposure level and make sure it is not too bright or too dark. You can also use the playback function or an external monitor to review your footage and see how your shutter speed affects the motion blur and the flickering. By monitoring your shutter speed, you can fine-tune your settings and achieve the best results for your video project.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?