Slowmotion

Slow motion is a technique used in film, video, and photography to make movements appear to occur more slowly than in real time. It is achieved by capturing footage at a higher frame rate than the project’s playback rate and then rendering the footage at a standard or lower frame rate.

By increasing the number of frames per second (fps) recorded, slow motion preserves more intermediate positions of moving subjects, producing smoother motion when played back at the usual speed. Common combinations include capturing at 120 fps or more and playing back at 24, 25, or 30 fps, yielding 4- to 5-fold slow motion. Very high-speed work may use 1000 fps or higher, requiring bright lighting and shorter exposure to avoid blur.

Early experimentation with slow motion emerged in the late 19th century with chronophotography by Etienne-Jules Marey and Eadweard Muybridge. In the 20th century, stroboscopic techniques and high-speed cameras developed, with Harold Edgerton advancing strobe-based capture. The cinema adopted higher frame rates for slow-motion sequences as technology improved, and digital cameras now routinely reach thousands of fps in specialized modes.

Equipment includes high-speed cameras, fast lenses, strong lighting, and sometimes external strobes. Some cameras support real-time frame interpolation to simulate slow motion in post-production, but this is synthetic rather than actual capture. Frame rate, exposure, and shutter angle affect motion clarity and brightness.

Slow motion is used for dramatic effect, sports replays, scientific analysis (kinematics, fluid dynamics), and industrial testing. Limitations include the need for sufficient light, larger data storage, potential resolution losses at extreme speeds, and possible motion artifacts from interpolation.