Quick answer: Frame rates and shutter angle explained: 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60fps, slow motion, the 180-degree rule, flicker under artificial lights and using ND filters.
Frame rate and shutter speed control how motion looks in video. Get them right and footage feels natural and cinematic; get them wrong and it feels jittery or strangely smooth.
What is frame rate?
Frame rate is the number of images recorded per second (fps).
| Frame rate | Look and use |
| 24fps | Traditional cinema look |
| 25fps | Standard in PAL regions such as India for broadcast |
| 30fps | Common for online video in NTSC regions |
| 50/60fps | Smooth motion, sport, or slow motion at 2x |
| 100/120fps+ | Slow motion |
Slow motion
To get slow motion, record at a high frame rate and play back at a normal rate. Recording at 50fps and playing at 25fps gives 2x slow motion; 100fps gives 4x.
What is shutter angle?
Shutter angle comes from film cameras with rotating shutters. A 180-degree shutter means each frame is exposed for half the frame interval. In shutter speed terms:
Shutter speed ≈ 1 / (2 × frame rate)
- 24fps → 1/48s (use 1/50s)
- 25fps → 1/50s
- 50fps → 1/100s
- 100fps → 1/200s
This produces natural motion blur, which is what audiences expect.
Breaking the rule on purpose
- Faster shutter (smaller angle): crisp, staccato motion, as in intense action scenes
- Slower shutter (larger angle): dreamy, smeared motion
ND filters: the cinematographer's friend
In daylight, f/2.8 at 1/50s overexposes badly. Instead of raising the shutter speed, use ND filters to cut light while keeping the 180-degree look.
Flicker under artificial light
Many lights flicker at the mains frequency (50Hz in India). If you see flicker or banding, use shutter speeds that match the frequency, such as 1/50s or 1/100s.
Choose your frame rate before you shoot
Decide your project's delivery frame rate first (often 24 or 25fps), then shoot slow-motion sections at multiples of it.
Learn camera settings for film
RAP Education's cinematography program covers frame rates, shutter angles, ND filters, codecs and exposure tools in practical studio and location shoots.
Frequently asked questions
What frame rate should I shoot video in?
24 or 25fps for a cinematic look, 50 or 60fps for smooth motion or 2x slow motion, and higher for stronger slow motion.
What is shutter angle?
A way to describe how long each frame is exposed; 180 degrees means half the frame interval, giving natural motion blur.
What shutter speed should I use at 25fps?
1/50s, following the 180-degree rule.
How do I shoot slow motion?
Record at a high frame rate (50, 60, 100 or 120fps) and play back at the project frame rate.
Why does my video flicker under lights?
Many lights flicker at the mains frequency (50Hz in India). Use matching shutter speeds such as 1/50s or 1/100s.
Why do cinematographers use ND filters?
To reduce light so they can keep wide apertures and the 180-degree shutter speed in daylight.
Is 24fps or 25fps better in India?
Both work; 25fps matches the regional broadcast standard and mains frequency, while 24fps is traditional for cinema.
Where can I learn video camera settings?
RAP Education's cinematography program teaches these settings hands-on.
- #24fps vs 60fps
- #slow motion settings
- #180 degree rule
- #shutter speed for video
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