How do you balance the lighting and exposure when filming in slow motion?

1 Frame rate and resolution

One of the first things you need to decide when filming in slow motion is the frame rate and resolution of your video. The frame rate is the number of frames per second (fps) that your camera records, and the resolution is the size and quality of each frame. Generally, the higher the frame rate and resolution, the smoother and sharper your slow motion video will be. However, this also means that your camera will need more light and storage space to capture and process the data.

2 Shutter speed and aperture

The next thing you need to adjust is the shutter speed and aperture of your camera. The shutter speed is the duration of time that your camera's sensor is exposed to light for each frame, and the aperture is the size of the opening that lets light in. To achieve a natural-looking motion blur in your slow motion video, you need to follow the 180-degree shutter rule, which states that your shutter speed should be twice the inverse of your frame rate. For example, if you're shooting at 60 fps, your shutter speed should be 1/120th of a second. The aperture, on the other hand, affects the depth of field and the amount of light that reaches your sensor. A wider aperture (lower f-number) lets in more light and creates a shallower depth of field, while a narrower aperture (higher f-number) lets in less light and creates a deeper depth of field.

3 ISO and ND filters

Sometimes, you may not have enough control over the lighting and exposure settings of your camera, especially when filming in bright or variable conditions. In these cases, you can use the ISO and ND filters to help you balance the lighting and exposure when filming in slow motion. The ISO is the sensitivity of your camera's sensor to light, and it can be increased or decreased to compensate for the lack of light or the excess of light. However, increasing the ISO also increases the noise and grain in your video, which can reduce the quality and clarity of your slow motion footage. To avoid this, you can use ND filters, which are like sunglasses for your camera. They reduce the amount of light that enters your lens, allowing you to use a lower ISO and a wider aperture without overexposing your video.

4 White balance and color grading

Another aspect of balancing the lighting and exposure when filming in slow motion is the white balance and color grading of your video. The white balance is the adjustment of the color temperature of your video, which affects how warm or cool your colors appear. Different sources of light have different color temperatures, and you need to match your camera's white balance to the light source to avoid color casts and achieve a natural look. You can either use the preset white balance modes on your camera, or manually set the white balance using a gray card or a white object. The color grading is the process of enhancing and modifying the colors and contrast of your video in post-production, using software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. You can use color grading to create different moods and atmospheres for your slow motion video, as well as correct any exposure or white balance issues.