Need help?
How to Shoot Slow Motion Video
Kamera Express
How do you make a slow motion video?
With these tips you can quickly get started with your own slow motion recordings
Are you looking for just that little extra in your recordings? With slow motion footage you can tell your story in a creative and impactful way. In the past, you needed a special slow motion camera for good slo-mo, but nowadays you can easily create this effect with your own camera. Finding the right settings can be difficult, which is why in this article we help you get started towards smooth, stylish and cool slow motion.
The effect of slow motion
Slow-motion footage has a big impact; your emotional state is influenced by the perception of time. Slow motion is used to create tension, to bring details into clearer focus or to emphasise emotions. Whether it is an astonishing moment in a nature documentary or a shocking event in an action film; slowing down motion highlights the impact and importance of the action. For anyone enthusiastic about slow motion, we have listed a number of tips below.
6 tips for making a slow motion video
Tip 1: Shooting slow motion
Anyone familiar with video editing software has probably come across it before: the slow motion effect. The effect automatically slows down your recordings; images are essentially stretched. Unfortunately, this effect on normal footage is far from the smooth, much-loved slow motion seen in feature films. The effect is often jerky because the footage does not contain enough data. Good slow motion starts with filming itself, more specifically: with frames per second.
Tip 2: Frames per second
Videos are recorded with a number of frames per second, also known as the frame rate. Most videos are recorded at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second (fps). For a slow motion recording you increase the number of frames per second. When you record more frames per second, there are no gaps or stuttering in the editing software later on. The higher the frame rate, the more motion you capture. For slow motion of someone’s emotion, 60fps is often sufficient; for more action you need a higher frame rate such as 120fps.
Tip 3: Shutter speed
The shutter speed determines how long light hits your camera sensor and affects motion blur. Because the footage is played back in slow motion, motion blur has more impact since each frame is viewed for longer. A good rule of thumb is that the shutter speed value should be roughly twice as high as the number of frames per second. For example, are you filming at 60fps? Then set your shutter speed to 1/120 second or the closest option.
Tip 4: Editing
You have shot the perfect video with a high frame rate and the correct shutter speed; now it is time to slow down the footage. Some cameras have a built-in slow motion function that automatically edits your recording, while others do not. If you do not have a slow motion camera, you can slow down the video using editing software. Set the project to a ‘normal’ frame rate and convert your recording. In professional programmes (such as Premiere Pro) there is a special option for this; in other programmes you manually adjust the speed or duration of your video.
Tip 5: Movement
To make your slow motion footage as interesting as possible, movement is essential. This does not only apply to the movement of your subject, but also to your movement as a filmmaker. Moving the camera during slow motion footage is sometimes overlooked, but it can really make your shots special. Play with composition and camera movements such as panning, tilting and even zooming.
Tip 6: Gear
Do you want extra certainty that your recordings are smooth and stable? Then use a tripod. For shorter videos a tripod is not always necessary, but for longer recordings it is. A long shutter speed can cause motion blur from vibrations when holding the camera. If you want to add more movement as mentioned earlier, consider a ball head so you can quickly and easily adjust in all directions. If you prefer working handheld, a gimbal is ideal for creating super smooth shots.
