All Things Color Correction...

[LighthouseMedia]

Okay all I'm needing some help learning the black arts of color Correction LOL. I know basic color theory etc... but I'm having a hard time matching that 35mm bronzed skin tone and color tone with my HVX footage. Anyone have any resources for learning color correction and general corrections to get HD footage closer to CCed 35mm print specifically in the skin tones?

 

[bbalser]

If you are using FCP, the Advanced Color Correction book in the Apple Pro Training Sereis is great. It covers about three or so chapters, but you'll be very fluent with grading your footage once you're done. I covers not just how to do it, but the theory and all. Grading my footage has become much easier since I did it.

Also, I forget who, but doesn't someone sell a set of plug-ins for FCP that help mimic certain types of film and lenses? Don't know it those would help or not.

 

[LighthouseMedia]

Ben
I'm using the basic tools in FCP and then Synthetic Aperture in after Effects as well.
I'll have to check out the advanced Color Correction book, I don't want to use plugins 1, because I haven't seen any that really achieve what I'm after, and 2 I really want to learn the principals behind the science. I have done the ripple Color Correction along with several other tutorial and videos, books etc... But none have been along the vein of grading video to achieve the same properties of film. If I know better how film is graded to achieve a look then I believe I'll better know how to identify the weakness and problem spots in video and compensate for them in my correction process. Like I said what I'm seeing the most is the difference in the skin tone areas that mid range.

 

[nsoltz]

I do find the G Film plugins from Graeme Nattress to be excellent. Your other more expensive option is Magic Bullet Editors from Redgiant Software. Synthetic Aperture is far superior to the color correction tools in FCP which themselves are not bad. It is a real science which I and others continue to try to master. Each color correction is yet another learning experience.

Ned Soltz

 

[snarton]

If you are using FCP, the Advanced Color Correction book in the Apple Pro Training Sereis is great....

I'll second that this is a good book. I was new to color correction, and the book got me up to speed quickly. It accomplishes it's goal: teaching the mechanics of color correction in FCP.

Now I'd like to learn more about the artistic side of color grading. Why do film colorists make the choices they make? How can manipulating colors "improve" the image or convey a feeling? (etc.) If anyone can make any book or video recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

--Jeremy

 

[LighthouseMedia]

Now I'd like to learn more about the artistic side of color grading. Why do film colorists make the choices they make? How can manipulating colors "improve" the image or convey a feeling? (etc.) If anyone can make any book or video recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

--Jeremy

DITTO now thats exactly what I'm after Jeremy...Anyone?

 

[bbalser]

The advanced FCP book is a great first step. After that, there are grading theory books. But they won't give you the hard core technical basics you really need. I've seen the other tutorials. But I don't think anything does what the Apple book does. I stongly recommend it. It'll give you the personal tools to analyze a flim clip and get a good start.

PLUS it will show you the neat tricks to compositing in FCP, the right way. After the first few chapters, I basically knew what all those composite modes each do and can visualize them before I apply them now, mostly. Not always, but it's just great stuff to know. The LiveType tutorials in it are really good, if you're into that.

I have seen books on film grad-ing techniques, but I don't know any titles off hand. I've almost picked a few up on occation, wish I had. If anyone knows of a good book on the subject, let us know!

And remember the old southern saying; "What doesn't kill us, just makes us stronger, and then becomes dinner."