Basic Color Correction and Color grading question

J

jondoe

Active member
I'm working on a project where I have to use multiple clips taken from different cameras and places and blend them together into a short film. There are 2 clips in the film that have been color corrected however my question is how to blend the other clips to the clip that is color corrected. If I look at the scopes (while reading the corrected clips), I try to mimic the settings to the other clips to no avail.

I'm a sound editor and don't know too much about color correction so please forgive me if I sound like a noob. (In theory) couldn't I read the scopes (for the color corrected clips) and apply similar settings to the other clips? Cant the scopes readings be translated to numbers and I input those numbers in on the other clips?

For example:
The corrected clip reads 1000 for red, 2000 for blue, 1000 for green, 1000 for luma (etc). I can take that info and put similar settings for the other clips. If that wouldn't work, wouldn't it get me in the ball park?


(Those numbers I mentioned were just as a reference to explain my thought.)
This probably makes no sense...
 
Actually that does make sense. DO this: Choose a Still representing both sides of the coin: one of the Color corrected you have already and the other still from the needs color correcting. and post them here large enough to see. that might help others help you better. My first thought always is to get the light right and go from there, but seeing will help us help you.
 
I agree about the screen grabs. Sounds like you need to set the tonality first (since they were shot on different cameras). Once you post the grabs we'll be able to take it much easier from that point.
 
jondoe said:
I'm working on a project where I have to use multiple clips taken from different cameras and places and blend them together into a short film. There are 2 clips in the film that have been color corrected however my question is how to blend the other clips to the clip that is color corrected. If I look at the scopes (while reading the corrected clips), I try to mimic the settings to the other clips to no avail.

I'm a sound editor and don't know too much about color correction so please forgive me if I sound like a noob. (In theory) couldn't I read the scopes (for the color corrected clips) and apply similar settings to the other clips? Cant the scopes readings be translated to numbers and I input those numbers in on the other clips?

For example:
The corrected clip reads 1000 for red, 2000 for blue, 1000 for green, 1000 for luma (etc). I can take that info and put similar settings for the other clips. If that wouldn't work, wouldn't it get me in the ball park?


(Those numbers I mentioned were just as a reference to explain my thought.)
This probably makes no sense...
Click to expand...

I agree, screen grabs would help but for whatever reason you want to refrain from posting stills, your theory is mostly correct. I would suggest (assuming you are using After Effects to color correct) simply copying and pasting your effects from one piece of footage to another and tweak from there. That way you are at least in the 'ball park' area and most of the time things will match up closely. You might have to tweak your skin tones more than anything else, nonetheless, there's always solutions for that particular circumstance. Cosmo by Red Giant Software is not a bad third party plugin to invest in, especially if you are going to continue running into similar situations where color correction is needed. Magic Bullet Looks (newest version) contains Cosmo within it and that alone will make your color grading easier while still maintaining a higher caliber of professionalism. Just a suggestion of course...
 
Use individual Adjustment Layers above each clip (layer) in your After Effects project. The purpose of these adjustment layers is to even out the clips so they match each other for exposure and color. Everything should play nicely together. Then put a final adjustment layer above everything to give it the final grade or "look" you're trying to achieve. This tip is from Stu Maschwitz's book "The DV Rebel's Guide"

http://www.amazon.com/DV-Rebels-Gui...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322098527&sr=1-1
 
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