Videographer tips - What is shutter speed?
As a videographer working in the heart of London, I often get asked about the settings that make or break a cinematic shot. Among the trio of exposure settings—aperture, ISO, and shutter speed—it's shutter speed that many new videographers tend to overlook. Yet, this one setting can drastically change the feel and emotion of a shot, especially in a city as fast-paced and atmospheric as London.
What Is Shutter Speed in Videography?
In still photography, shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed to light. But as a videographer, you’re not capturing a single frame—you’re capturing 25 if filming in the UK, or even 100 or more frames for every second for slow motion. In this context, shutter speed controls how much motion blur each frame contains.
A good rule of thumb for videographers is the 180-degree shutter rule: your shutter speed should be roughly double your frame rate. So, if you’re filming at 25fps (common in the UK), you’d ideally set your shutter speed to 1/50. This gives footage that natural, cinematic motion blur that we all love.
Shutter Speed and the London Vibe
Take a walk with me through Shoreditch on a grey morning or along the Thames at golden hour, and you’ll see why shutter speed matters. That gentle blur of people walking past graffiti-covered brick walls or the soft motion of a red double-decker bus rolling through Westminster—this is where shutter speed brings your footage to life.
As a London-based videographer, I rely on natural motion blur to capture the rhythm of the city. A slower shutter speed softens movement, making it feel organic and immersive. This is perfect for storytelling—think documentary footage around Borough Market or cinematic sequences in Hyde Park.
When to Break the Rules
Sometimes, as videographers, we have to break the rules to achieve a specific effect. Shooting at a higher shutter speed, say 1/250 or 1/500, reduces motion blur and makes action look sharp and intense. I recently used this technique filming a skateboarding sequence under the Southbank Centre—every trick popped crisply on screen, full of energy and edge.
On the flip side, dragging the shutter for a slower speed—1/30 or even slower—can create dreamy, surreal visuals. I used this when filming a dance video in London at night, allowing light trails from passing cyclists to smear across the screen like paint on a canvas.
The London Light Challenge
London’s light is famously inconsistent. One minute you're filming under soft clouds in Notting Hill, the next you're dodging harsh sun in Trafalgar Square. As a videographer, managing shutter speed while keeping your exposure balanced is a constant dance. You can use ND filters to maintain that ideal motion blur without blowing out your highlights. ND filters allow me to stick to the 180-degree rule, even on bright summer days when the reflection off the Thames can blast your sensor with light.
Final Thoughts for Fellow Videographers
Shutter speed is more than a technical setting—it's a storytelling tool. As videographers, especially in a city like London that pulses with history, movement, and mood, it’s our job to wield that tool wisely. From the fast-paced energy of Oxford Street to the slow, poetic drift of fog over Hampstead Heath, shutter speed helps translate motion into emotion.
So next time you’re out filming—whether you’re capturing a wedding in Richmond Park or shooting B-roll in Soho—take a moment to think about your shutter speed. Because every frame is a chance to make the motion feel just right.