Exposure

Controlling exposure for video is nearly identical to controlling exposure for stills (which we covered in Chapter 2)—a combination of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. The one difference is that you have much less flexibility when it comes to shutter speed.

With video, shutter speed is directly related to frame rate. The general rule is to select a shutter speed that is double the frame rate you’re using. So, for example, if you’re shooting at 24 fps, the recommended shutter speed is 1/50 of a second; if you’re shooting at 30 fps, the recommended shutter speed is 1/60 of a second. If you set your shutter speed higher or lower than this, it can negatively affect the quality of your video.

Just as with still photography, you can shoot in Auto or Manual modes. To capture a quick clip or video, use the Creative Auto, Scene Auto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, or Custom User modes. But if you intend to do serious video work, I recommend that you use Manual mode. In addition to allowing complete control over the ISO and aperture, Manual mode gives you the ability to change your audio recording levels, which are critical for producing quality videos.