The use of slow motion footage has several advantages. Firstly, capturing the smallest details of a moment can create a more emotional effect. For example, a raindrop landing on a flower petal or a fire blade escaping from its flames can be incredibly impactful.

Common mistakes in slow-motion cinematography:

Slow motion cinematography is a timeless trend gaining popularity amongst film enthusiasts and professionals. Whether it’s iPhone Slofies or Instagram videos, millions of videos are tagged with the hashtag #slowmotion. Many stock footage contributors are also taking notice of the trend. Feature Shoot recently asked six cinematographers for some basic slow motion shooting tips.

Filmmakers often make common mistakes when shooting in slow motion. While the effect can be beautiful, it’s important to use the right camera for the project. Slow motion cameras generally require higher frame rates than standard cameras, which can result in flickering effects. By adjusting the shutter speed and frame rate, filmmakers can eliminate flickering.

Need for more light:

A low frame rate makes it difficult to capture subtle changes in light. However, even a small difference in light can have a dramatic effect in slow motion. For example, if you’re shooting a slow-motion movie with a shutter speed of 1/2000, you need more light than with a normal frame rate.
While the effects of light can be enhanced with a slow-motion camera, it can also be detrimental when shooting indoors. When shooting outdoors, you’ll need a bright, sunny day with lots of light. Indoors, LED lights can be used to increase the intensity of light.

Frame rate requirements:

Frame rate is an important aspect to consider when shooting slow motion videos. The slow motion requires a higher frame rate than normal to avoid abrupt motions. High frame rates are usually best for artistic effects and replays, but higher frame rates are unnecessary for all applications. Several factors influence the choice of frame rate.

The number of frames per second you need depends on the style of your film and the type of video delivery you are using. For example, a 24fps recording works well for quiet, steady scenes, while 60fps is required for action sequences. The frame rate also depends on the amount of motion in your footage.

Storage space

Slow-motion cinematography requires additional storage space due to its high frame rate and resolution. The data generated by a slow motion video usually amount to several gigabytes per second. It can be challenging to save these images, so it’s essential to invest in fast storage. Fortunately, newer models of camera systems can provide an excellent storage solution.