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OT: Shooting a Tennis Match
I got hired to shoot a tennis match this weekend. 95% of what I normally shoot is in a studio in a controlled environment. I haven’t shot a lot of fast action/sports stuff. I will be shooting with a Sony HDV V1U camera. It can shoot 24p 30p or 60i.
Here is my question:
Should I shoot at a higher shutter speed? The tennis balls fly pretty fast and it isn’t the highest quality camera… Will it be better to shoot at a faster shutter speed (say 1/250th sec) or should I keep it at the standard 1/60th to avoid the Saving Private Ryan look?
Any input from anyone who has recorded a tennis match would be VERY helpful! Thanks!!!
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10 Replies
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Also…should I if I shoot at a higher shutter speed, should I shoot interlaced or progressive?
Brian
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I should really start proof reading my posts….sorry.
Brian
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Sports…shoot 60i. DO NOT SHOOT 24P! Not sure about the shutter speed, but definately shoot interlaced, and 30fps.
Shane
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Brian,
That camera is notoriously NG when shooting fast moving things. I tried shooting some stuff at 30p and it was quite horrible. So, definitely shoot interlaced, and if possible follow Mr. LaRonde’s advice and test beforehand.
David
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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Thanks for the suggestions.
Brian
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Shoot 60i interlaced.
A fast shutter speed will render the ball a series of strobed “tracer dots” crossing the screen. Panning fast especially if profile angle will be very “strobey” with too fast shutter speed. Use the shutter only on isolated shots with little camera movement that you may wish to slo mo in post for detail of the action (ie someone serving).Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
The camera will actually be locked down behind one of the baselines. There is a spectator section and a place to put the camera on a tripod for an unobstructed view of the court. The full court and both players will be in the shot at all times.
Brian
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In which case using a too fast shutter speed could reveal the ball as a line of tracer dots crossing the frame when replayed at normal speed.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
A tennis match with ONE camera… locked down?
Good luck!
I’d be thinking more about coverage options than frame rates or codecs.
Next time you watch ANY sports on TV, count the camera angles you seen
in any 30 second timespan. Upwards of 5-10 DIFFERENT angles.The action in a tennis match is like dialogue between two actors. Sure, you can cover it with a single camera, but two camera coverage gives you SO many more options. In tennis, the action on any point is best seen high and wide, but the drama between the opponents is best seen in closeup. Replays are a whole different discussion.
Mark
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Slow down there turbo… This isn’t for broadcast. It is for the tennis player to evaluate his game. He requested a locked down camera at that angle. I’m not sure where the assumptions of a massive production are coming from. I’m not looking to win any awards here.
Brian
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