GH5 Best sources for learning VlogL grading?

C

CustomerGH4

Well-known member
Hello, I have come to the conclusion that Vlog is the way to go with GH5.
But since Im not so good at grading can anybody recommend me some links, youtubers etc where I can find best info what the correct workflow would be
when handling VlogL.

Thanks for any replies and sorry for writing here so much.
 
The first thing I would recommend is to stop applying all kind of (non technical) LUTs and try to do grades yourself.
Especially avoid LUTs that make snake oil promises, like claiming they "fix skin tones" or make your video "look like an Alexa".

You, by using your eyes, ARE the best LUT in town!

Personally I think this is the best workflow:

1. Convert the log format to the target colorspace and gamma (preferably using input transforms)
2. Fit the resulting curve within the target dynamic range
3. Apply color correction and creative color grading

So how does this work in practical terms? Log grading is not any different from non-log grading.

Step 1, the conversion, is a technical process, step 2 requires looking at the scopes and monitor to see if all values are within range and if the ranges are consistent beyond a single clip, step 3 is no different from non-log grading.

I think currently the best affordable NLE is DaVinci Resolve. For $299 you have the full studio version!

If your NLE does not have input transforms you would have to apply a LUT but be very careful if the LUT:

- is applicable range wise (full versus limited range)
- does not clip any data
- is applicable for the color space of the camera you use
 
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Also look into Leeming Lut and Logarist. Both are corrective or base luts that don't focus on a baked in look. Logarist is a set of luts that you still need to do a certain amount of manual grading with.

Here are some tutorials on grading log:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5JMvpg8t5w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94OFKmHbyF4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOJnLO5qTWE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA2mv20I-0E


Great info from Barry Green on how to expose and shoot V-log
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/dvx4k/pdf/ag-dvx200_tech_brief_vol6_en.pdf

Other articles on shooting log
https://www.hdvideopro.com/columns/help-desk/the-rules-of-log-exposure/
http://www.danielhaggett.com/blog/262-how-to-expose-log-footage-correctly
http://wolfcrow.com/blog/how-to-expose-and-grade-s-log2-for-the-sony-a7s/

Finally the tools I mentioned above which can help
http://www.logarist.com
http://www.leeminglutone.com
 
Grading raw or log is kind of like playing golf. Just about anybody can do it but it is very difficult to master. It really comes down to practice and experience. Just keep working with it like you would a sport and you will get better. There is really no math formula to plug in and there you go you are a colorist. I don't want to discourage you at all but it really does come down to practice. Which is really true of any aspect of what we do. You need practice and understanding to be a better editor, shooter, grader, designer, story teller, actor, animator, or whatever else we do.

Learn as much as you can about using scopes. They are there for a reason and the professionals use them as much as a carpenter uses a hammer.
 
Oh yeah invest in a good color chart. Like scopes it is a very useful tool to help with color grading. Not every shot we take have the colors in it we need to judge grading. Having a color chart helps know what a blue, red, green and many other colors in the scene should really look like.

You don't use them on every shot but if you use it once in each scenario it can help direct the color for all those similar shots. When you get really good at seeing color you may not need one but starting out it is a good tool to help you.
 
CustomerGH4 said:
Hello, I have come to the conclusion that Vlog is the way to go with GH5.
But since Im not so good at grading can anybody recommend me some links, youtubers etc where I can find best info what the correct workflow would be
when handling VlogL.

Thanks for any replies and sorry for writing here so much.
Click to expand...

You might want to contact Denver Riddle @ Color Grading Central He offers FREE online events on how to improve your color grading in DaVinci Resolve using the same proven methods Hollywood Colorists use. E-mail: denver@colorgradingcentral.com He also has a great plug-in for FCPX called Color Finale you might like to check out
 
theillestmc12 said:
Hey bud. Just made you a quick intro to color correcting vlog. Not sure what your knowledge is in resolve but check it out below. Disclaimer i am no way a professional, just an enthusiast.


https://youtu.be/0aawExWJU60
Click to expand...
Your levels are already wrong, v-log-l operates between 128 and 768, if you have anything above that you have your levels wrong. It should not run below 128 as well (but Panasonic apparently decided to run the noise to slightly below 128. I would recommend clipping everything below 128 during transcoding otherwise you might introduce unnecessary noise during editing).
 
CustomerGH4 said:
Hello, I have come to the conclusion that Vlog is the way to go with GH5.
But since Im not so good at grading can anybody recommend me some links, youtubers etc where I can find best info what the correct workflow would be
when handling VlogL.

Thanks for any replies and sorry for writing here so much.
Click to expand...

You might enjoy this thread I just posted in the coloring section of DVX http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...lm-shot-on-the-GH4-for-film-festival-premiere (albeit it was shot on GH4 but same principles apply)

cheers,

 
Could not recommend Leeming's LUT enough...for both Vlog and CineD...and the best thing, is afterward excellent online support that is prompt and friendly. After that, the rest is after you and +1 for Thomas' gholf anology lol...grading is extremely subjective and only you can really answer the question as to when your image is there...but the above mentioned LUT gets you to a fantastic starting point instantly IMO
 
I used the ARRI rec709 LUT in my example, it produced really great results and especially as a neutral start where you can take it anywhere you want from there.
 
I am still not convinced that VLOG is giving the best results on the GH5. I am getting mostly better results and the same dynamic range with Cinelike D.

Hopefully VLOG will get signifiantly better with the Summer firmware update.
 
theillestmc12 said:
Hey bud. Just made you a quick intro to color correcting vlog. Not sure what your knowledge is in resolve but check it out below. Disclaimer i am no way a professional, just an enthusiast.


https://youtu.be/0aawExWJU60
Click to expand...

at least your mom likes it! lol nice.

Watching your video, I know it works for you, but no it is not really the best/correct way of doing it. You should produce the exact same effect you did with the contrast/pivot knobs but use the gamma/gain dials, then lastly lift to readjust your blacks.

Reserve the contract/pivot knobs for actually adjusting the contrast once you have taken the image from log to REC709..

Again, your way does work, no one can say "it's wrong it doesn't work" I'm just saying "it does work but its not the best way". :beer:
 
starcentral said:
I used the ARRI rec709 LUT in my example, it produced really great results and especially as a neutral start where you can take it anywhere you want from there.
Click to expand...

ARRI log and Panasonic V-log are very similar which is yet another reason why I prefer the Panasonic form of log. Even on my Atomos Ninja Blade with the built in luts I can use the ARRI lut for decent results when shooting. It has v-log built in as well but sometimes I find it easier to shoot with the Blade when using the ARRI lut.
 
Thomas Smet said:
ARRI log and Panasonic V-log are very similar which is yet another reason why I prefer the Panasonic form of log. Even on my Atomos Ninja Blade with the built in luts I can use the ARRI lut for decent results when shooting. It has v-log built in as well but sometimes I find it easier to shoot with the Blade when using the ARRI lut.
Click to expand...
I took a SMPTE bar in Resolve converted it to V-Log using a color space transform and then converting it back with the assumption it is ARRI log footage.

If we only convert the gamma the ARRI levels do show higher but that is a straight forward thing to compensate for.

However if I also convert the color space the colors shift and this will be much harder to correct.
I will have to note that Resolve 14 Beta 3 does not have a color space transform for V-Log, that is, only the gamma adjustment is currently listed under the color space transform options, so for this test Rec.709 was used.

Assuming the shift is not fully compensated by the V-Gamma if one likes those shifts then no problem but I would question the argument that it is somehow a neutral start.
 
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