30F at 1/30 shutter for talking head? at DVinfo.net

Deke Ryland · May 30th, 2008, 06:59 AM

Hey guys... I shoot a lot of indoor interviews in small rooms, and oftentimes can only fit a small 250 Watt softbox, a bounce, and my tripod w/ A1 in the room.

I always like to shoot these 1-person interviews at the largest aperture I can, to get the most bokeh for the background. However, what I have found is, sometimes the largest aperture won't give me the exposure I need. Even at the largest aperture, it is underexposed when shooting at my standard 1/60 shutter at 30F.

To get the proper exposure, do you think it would be okay to drop the shutter speed down to 1/30? Looking at the footage on the LCD seems to look okay... but I was wondering if when seen on a bigger screen, I would notice that "slow-shutter" look or jitters. I know 1/30 shutter is too slow for most things, but I thought maybe you can get away with it for a simple headshot interview.

What do you guys think? Thanks for any advice.

Bill Pryor · May 30th, 2008, 02:02 PM

You could probably get by with that. A friend of mine shot a second camera at a wedding ceremony once at 1/30 and nobody was moving very fast so it looked OK. I wouldn't think you'd get much modeling with only a 250 watt softbox.

Deke Ryland · May 30th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Thanks Bill... I'll see how it goes... I don't think it will be too much a problem either.

What exactly is meant by "get much modeling with only a 250 watt softbox"? Didn't quite understand what you were trying to say there.

Thanks!

Lonnie Bell · June 1st, 2008, 04:01 AM

I shoot 30p at 1/30 all the time - it adds a lot more light for my dark Vegas venues - and I never have had any motion/judder issues at all...

Good luck,
Lonnie

Jose Ortiz · June 1st, 2008, 04:50 AM

I am positive that should work. Sometime I'm even going with 15f if I think necessary and there is not to much people movement involved.

May 30th, 2008, 06:59 AM	#1
Deke Ryland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 213	30F at 1/30 shutter for talking head? Hey guys... I shoot a lot of indoor interviews in small rooms, and oftentimes can only fit a small 250 Watt softbox, a bounce, and my tripod w/ A1 in the room. I always like to shoot these 1-person interviews at the largest aperture I can, to get the most bokeh for the background. However, what I have found is, sometimes the largest aperture won't give me the exposure I need. Even at the largest aperture, it is underexposed when shooting at my standard 1/60 shutter at 30F. To get the proper exposure, do you think it would be okay to drop the shutter speed down to 1/30? Looking at the footage on the LCD seems to look okay... but I was wondering if when seen on a bigger screen, I would notice that "slow-shutter" look or jitters. I know 1/30 shutter is too slow for most things, but I thought maybe you can get away with it for a simple headshot interview. What do you guys think? Thanks for any advice.

June 1st, 2008, 04:01 AM	#4
Lonnie Bell Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV United States Posts: 361	I shoot 30p at 1/30 all the time - it adds a lot more light for my dark Vegas venues - and I never have had any motion/judder issues at all... Good luck, Lonnie __________________ Lonnie Bell mamas boy productions Las Vegas, NV

May 30th, 2008, 02:02 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	You could probably get by with that. A friend of mine shot a second camera at a wedding ceremony once at 1/30 and nobody was moving very fast so it looked OK. I wouldn't think you'd get much modeling with only a 250 watt softbox.

May 30th, 2008, 03:29 PM	#3
Deke Ryland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 213	Thanks Bill... I'll see how it goes... I don't think it will be too much a problem either. What exactly is meant by "get much modeling with only a 250 watt softbox"? Didn't quite understand what you were trying to say there. Thanks!

June 1st, 2008, 04:50 AM	#5
Jose Ortiz Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 347	I am positive that should work. Sometime I'm even going with 15f if I think necessary and there is not to much people movement involved.