Video Best Practices & Templates
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      How to Achieve a Shallow Depth of Field

      Create professional looking shallow depth of field with any lens!

       

      A shallow depth of field (or background blur) is often achieved with a low aperture. Some lenses allow you to control this and some don’t! Here are our three Shootsta Kit lenses and how to achieve a shallow depth of field.

      Shootsta Kit V2 - 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6
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      The aperture in this lens is connected to the focal length. Meaning as you zoom in, the aperture changes automatically. In order to achieve a shallow depth of field with this lens, you have to change the positioning of your shot.

      1. Move your subject as far away as possible from the background

      2. Set your focal length to around 50mm

      3. Tap focus on your subject.

      Move your subject as far away as possible from the background

      Set your focal length to around 50mm

      Tap focus on your subject.

       

      Shootsta Kit V3 - 50mm f/1.8

      1. Set your camera to manual exposure mode

      2. Set your ISO to ‘Auto’ and your shutter speed to double your frame rate (usually 1/50)

      3. Set your aperture to f/2.8

      Set your camera to manual exposure mode

      Set your ISO to ‘Auto’ and your shutter speed to double your frame rate (usually 1/50)

      Set your aperture to f/2.8

      BONUS: If you are outside or in very bright light you will need some ‘sunglasses’ for your lens! An ND Filter works like sunglasses and screws onto your lens. It allows the camera to shoot at low apertures in bright light!
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      Shootsta Kit V4 - 24-105mm f/4

      1. Move your subject far away from the background

      2. Zoom in to 50mm or more to increase the shallow look

      3. Change your camera to manual exposure mode

      4. Set your ISO to ‘Auto’ and your shutter speed to double your frame rate (usually 1/50)

      5. Set your aperture to f/4

      Move your subject far away from the background

      Zoom in to 50mm or more to increase the shallow look

      Change your camera to manual exposure mode

      Set your ISO to ‘Auto’ and your shutter speed to double your frame rate (usually 1/50)

      Set your aperture to f/4

       

       

      Check which lens you have and try these techniques out for yourself! If you have any questions please reach out on Live Chat.