C300: Grading C-Log

D

DDirector

Veteran
I learned that to expose C-Log correctly, middle grey should fall at approximately around 32% IRE and white approximately around 60% IRE.
Basically, the footage is darker than a standard picture profile.

Id like to know the process of properly grading C-Log.
I'd be editing the footage in Adobe Premiere CC and/or CS6. After that, Id be colour grading/correcting the footage in DaVinci Resolve (free version).

Is there a proper method to being back the contrast into the footage and grading it without loosing the detail that was purposely retained AND not adding additional noise?
 
Yes, don't underexpose. Full white with no detail should still fall at 90%+. Modern "film" log curves show a very uncompressed linear response from 90% white down to about 30 IRE by the scope to give more grading room to the highlights then progressively compress the low end of the range typically squeezing 3 linear stops of DR into 1 at a the bottom. You are giving up deep shadow detail for smoother highlight roll off in the grade. If you underexpose too much, you are giving up data range that you need for grading and midrange contrast recovery. The objective is to fill up the value scale from the top down with the maximum possible range of unclipped data.
 
Canon has some de-log LUT on their website, supplied as .csv format, AbelCine has them converted to .cube for easy application.
 
I expose interiors for 18% gray at 38-40 IRE, putting reflected whites at 70 IRE. I have learned that skin tones should not exceed 50IRE, or some compression becomes evident, which is unnatural for faces.

Exteriors with very high contrast should be at 32 IRE for 18% gray.
 
Thanks folks, but I'm not really asking about exposing the camera, but the process AFTERWARDS.
The grading/colour correcting profess. How to properly grade while retaining the details in the shots and without adding noise into the footage.

Is there a special or proper process?
Or is it as simple as lowering the blacks down and raising the whites up as per a proper waveform reading?
 
Yes, lower blacks, raise whites, raise mids last for proper flesh tones. This will add some noise, if raised too much. Adding a bit of saturation can be useful as well, depending upon look wanted.
 
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