Navigating the Exposure Triangle in Hybrid Photography: Balancing Still and Moving Images
For hybrid shooters, the world of capturing images extends beyond just photographs; it includes the art of cinematography. In this dynamic realm mastering the exposure triangle takes on an additional layer of complexity. Unlike in photography, where shutter speed can be freely adjusted, when shooting motion, you often face limitations due to the standard frame rates. Understanding these constraints while juggling the exposure triangle is crucial for hybrid shooters looking to create seamless visual stories through both stills and videos.
Embracing Shutter Speed Limitations in Video
Shutter speed in a camera refers to the duration the shutter remains open, controlling how long light enters the lens to capture an image. It's measured in seconds or fractions of a second, determining exposure and motion blur in photos. When shooting video, maintaining a consistent frame rate is essential to create smooth and natural-looking motion—having the right amount of motion blur when your camera or subject moves is essential to making the footage look natural. This means that the shutter speed needs to be set at a specific value based on the frame rate chosen. For instance, when shooting at 24 frames per second (fps), the ideal shutter speed is 1/48s (often the closest shutter speed will work as well, so if 1/48 is not available, go with 1/50s). Similarly, at 30fps, the shutter speed should be 1/60s. Deviating from these standard shutter speeds can result in jarring motion effects, affecting the overall quality of the video. However, sometimes you might want to break this rule on purpose to create a specific feel to the footage. A faster shutter speed will create a strobing effect, think “Saving Private Ryan”, that can accentuate camera movement and give an overall frenetic feel to the footage, while a slower shutter speed will create a smeary, blurry motion blur that sometimes can evoke a dreamy, or “altered state” feel to the footage. So, sometimes being “technically sound” might limit your creative expression.
Aperture and ISO: Crafting the Cinematic Ambiance
Given the restricted flexibility of shutter speed in videography, hybrid shooters will rely on aperture and ISO to control the exposure in their videos. A wider aperture (lower f-number) allows more light to enter the lens, creating a shallow depth of field and a cinematic, dreamy look. In low-light situations, increasing the ISO sensitivity becomes essential, ensuring well-exposed footage, but be careful not to over do it as there is a quality hit to the footage as digital noise can be introduced when you shoot at high ISOs. Adding lights to a scene is your friend in this case. I’ll touch on that in another blog, but for now, know that balancing these two elements is an art form in itself, enabling hybrid shooters to craft a visually captivating ambiance in their videos, whether it's a moody short film or a vibrant travel vlog.
In the world of hybrid photography, where the boundaries between stills and videos blur, mastering the exposure triangle becomes a delicate dance between technical precision and creative expression. So, whether you're freezing a moment in time with a photograph or capturing the essence of life in motion through video, remember, the exposure triangle is your guiding companion, helping you paint your visual masterpiece across multiple frames. Happy shooting and filming!