Camera settings tips for wedding videographers

As a wedding videographer it’s absolutely crucial to use the right camera settings. This article will guide you through the basics of camera settings for video, helping you capture every precious moment beautifully.

Resolution and Frame Rate

Resolution: The standard resolution for wedding videography is 4K. Shooting in 4K offers several advantages: it provides a high level of detail, allows for cropping without losing quality, and future-proofs your footage. While 1080p is still acceptable and may be more manageable in terms of storage and editing, 4K is becoming increasingly preferred.

Frame Rate: A frame rate of 25fps (24fps in the US) is ideal for most wedding videos because it gives a cinematic feel that clients often love. However, for capturing slow-motion shots—such as the bride walking down the aisle or the couple’s first dance—50 fps or higher is recommended. This allows you to slow down the footage in post-production without any loss of smoothness.

Shutter Speed

The shutter speed should be set to double the frame rate for the best results. For instance, if you’re shooting at 25fps, set your shutter speed to 1/50. This setting provides natural motion blur, making the footage look more cinematic and less choppy. Make sure do use an ND filter for your outdoor shots, as it will allow you to maintain 1/50 even in bright environments.

For slow-motion shots at 60 fps, a shutter speed of 1/120 is appropriate. Adjusting the shutter speed ensures that your footage maintains the right amount of blur, preventing it from looking too sharp or jittery.

Aperture

The aperture setting is crucial for controlling the depth of field and the amount of light entering the lens. For wedding videography, a wide aperture (low f-stop number like f/1.8 or f/2.8) is often preferred. This setting creates a beautiful bokeh effect, making the subject stand out against a softly blurred background. It’s perfect for close-ups and intimate shots.

However, during ceremonies or in well-lit environments, you might need to use a narrower aperture (higher f-stop) to ensure that everything is in focus and properly exposed. Balancing the aperture according to the lighting and desired depth of field is key to achieving stunning visuals.

ISO

ISO determines the camera’s sensitivity to light. Keeping the ISO as low as possible (usually between 100-400) ensures minimal grain and noise in the footage. However, weddings often involve varying lighting conditions, from bright outdoor ceremonies to dimly lit receptions.

Modern cameras handle higher ISOs quite well, so don’t be afraid to increase the ISO when necessary. If you find yourself in a low-light situation, such as a candlelit dinner, an ISO of up to 1600 or even 3200 can be used without compromising too much on image quality. Always test your camera’s performance at different ISO levels to understand its capabilities and limitations.

White Balance

Accurate white balance is essential to ensure that colours are true to life. While auto white balance (AWB) can be convenient, it’s not always reliable, especially in changing lighting conditions. Setting the white balance manually allows for more consistent and accurate colour reproduction.

For outdoor shoots, a white balance of around 5600K (daylight) is typically appropriate.

For indoor settings, especially under tungsten lights, a white balance of 3200K is more suitable. Many cameras offer custom white balance settings, allowing you to fine-tune according to the specific lighting conditions.

Picture Profile

Choosing the right picture profile can significantly impact the final look of your video. Many wedding videographers prefer using flat picture profiles like S-Log or V-Log, which provide a wider dynamic range and greater flexibility in post-production. These profiles retain more detail in highlights and shadows, making colour grading easier and more effective.

However, if you’re not comfortable with extensive colour grading, using a standard or neutral picture profile can still yield excellent results. These profiles require less post-processing and can deliver vibrant, ready-to-share footage straight out of the camera.

Autofocus vs. Manual Focus

Modern cameras have impressive autofocus capabilities, but relying solely on autofocus can be risky during weddings, where unexpected movements and lighting changes are common. Using manual focus ensures that you have complete control over what is in focus, reducing the chances of the camera hunting for focus at critical moments.

If your camera has reliable autofocus tracking, use it sparingly and test it in advance to ensure it performs well in various scenarios. Combining autofocus for dynamic shots and manual focus for static or planned shots often yields the best results.

Stabilisation

Stabilisation is crucial for smooth, professional-looking footage. While many cameras offer in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), using additional stabilisation tools like gimbals or tripods is highly recommended. Handheld shots can add a personal, intimate feel, but overusing them can result in shaky footage that detracts from the viewing experience.

Gimbals are particularly useful for dynamic shots, such as following the couple or capturing sweeping venue shots. For static shots, a tripod ensures stability and allows you to focus on composition and framing.

Sound Settings

Clear audio is just as important as visual quality in wedding videos. Use external microphones, such as lavalier mics for the officiant and couple, and shotgun mics for ambient sound. Monitor audio levels throughout the event to avoid clipping or distortion.

Set your camera’s audio input levels manually, keeping them at a moderate level to capture clear, undistorted sound. Using an external audio recorder as a backup can also save you from potential audio issues during editing.

Backup and Redundancy

Finally, always have a backup plan. Use cameras with dual card slots and record simultaneously to both cards. This redundancy ensures that if one card fails, you still have a copy of the footage. Bring extra batteries, memory cards, and even an additional camera body to avoid any technical mishaps.

Conclusion

Mastering these camera settings will help you capture wedding videos that are visually stunning, but the emotional resonance will come from the editing and couple themselves. Remember, each wedding is unique, and being adaptable is key. Practice these settings in different scenarios to become comfortable with adjusting them on the fly. With the right settings and a keen eye for detail, you’ll be able to create timeless memories for your clients that they’ll cherish forever.