black and white
- Thread starter Galltime
- Start date
BPatterson
Member
you can shoot black and white in camera with the HVX?
nextgenneo
Member
thought you do it in post
ProfessorU
Veteran
You must think in black and white (luminance only). You may get great subject/background separation with a subject in red against a green background, but they can end up muddy in B&W.
My suggestions are:
1- Always shoot video in color if you plan on doing any corrections in post (even if your camera allows B&W). You'll have two extra channels of data to salvage poorly lit or exposed shots. B&W is not a free pass to forget about white balance.
2- Use a colorist (don't just desaturate). A colorist can choose what data from which channels will best serve the image. Most images will need some contrast shaping, and a good colorist can also help control noise and grain.
3- Use a gaffer, and ask them not to be shy with the backlighting. This can save a lot of work later.
4- Go get a book on black and white photography. If you're comfortable using red, green, and yellow filters, you can either make the aggressive decision to use them on the lens, or you can at least use that knowledge to shape the way you handle the desaturation in post. You will also be more aware of the changes to lighting and composition needed to make a powerful B&W image.
My suggestions are:
1- Always shoot video in color if you plan on doing any corrections in post (even if your camera allows B&W). You'll have two extra channels of data to salvage poorly lit or exposed shots. B&W is not a free pass to forget about white balance.
2- Use a colorist (don't just desaturate). A colorist can choose what data from which channels will best serve the image. Most images will need some contrast shaping, and a good colorist can also help control noise and grain.
3- Use a gaffer, and ask them not to be shy with the backlighting. This can save a lot of work later.
4- Go get a book on black and white photography. If you're comfortable using red, green, and yellow filters, you can either make the aggressive decision to use them on the lens, or you can at least use that knowledge to shape the way you handle the desaturation in post. You will also be more aware of the changes to lighting and composition needed to make a powerful B&W image.
Glen Gustafson
Active member
You can use a contrast viewing filter to help judge the lighting with the color desaturated. What you want is the amber colored glass or "panchromatic" version.
I've never had much use for the color versions, but for judging separation from the BG and stuff an amber glass is actually pretty helpful.
http://extranet.mole.com/public/index.cgi?cmd=view_item&parent=1434-1547-1021&id=3109
http://www.spectracine.com/product_7.html
Don't wear it around too much though. There's a Swedish comedy film with a goofy fasion photog who sports one like a gold chain...
I've never had much use for the color versions, but for judging separation from the BG and stuff an amber glass is actually pretty helpful.
http://extranet.mole.com/public/index.cgi?cmd=view_item&parent=1434-1547-1021&id=3109
http://www.spectracine.com/product_7.html
Don't wear it around too much though. There's a Swedish comedy film with a goofy fasion photog who sports one like a gold chain...
wahrez
Well-known member
yes...i shot a hvx film in black and white...you can see bits of it on my showreel (link below). I did a few tests before shooting and as said just set my pedestal to a desired blackness, set the evf to black and white and thought hard about the costume colours/locations etc.