Slow motion works by recording at a high frame rate and playing back at a lower one. For example, 120 frames recorded and played at 30 gives a 4x slowdown in effect.
This simple math is easy to miss when shooting. Plan your playback rate first, then pick a record rate that fits the time stretch you want.
Higher frame rates need more light, since each exposure is shorter. A rule of thumb is to keep shutter speed close to double the frame rate when aiming for natural motion blur.
Without enough light, raising gain can add noise. Test small clips before a full take to avoid lost footage.
Record time is cheap, but lost light is not.
On a phone, high frame rates for slow motion often come with crop or bitrate limits. On a camera, heat and storage can cap how long you can record at very high rates.
Also note that not all scenes benefit from slow motion. Use it only when stretching time helps explain or show something that normal speed hides.
The right frame rate for a shot comes down to clarity, motion, and how much realism fits the story you want to tell on screen each time.
Moving to 60 frames gives clearer motion for fast action, but it can also feel too flat for stories that rely on a softer film look now.
Motion blur links to frame rate in subtle ways, and changing rates can make pans feel either smooth or choppy without adjusting anything else.
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