How to Color Correct Canon Flat Picture Styles (Marvels Cine, CineStyle, etc.)

[sladen]

I've seen a lot of posts/articles what the different flat picture styles are and discussion of the pros & cons of each, but I am struggling to find a tutorial or step-by-step article that tells me HOW to color correct these flat picture styles in post.

If anyone can share a link, or if they can offer some tips/techniques on the color correction process with these picture styles, I would be much obliged!

 

[Michael Carter]

It really depends on the software you have, or are willing to purchase. The #1 thing is your eye, not the tools.

The fact you're starting with flat styles is moot; you should try to get the footage in-camera as close as possible to your final vision. Shooting "flat" with the idea you can then do anything you want in post isn't the best path to take unless you have no clue at all during a shoot as to what you want to end up with.

From there, see what tools you have and learn to use their color tools - in AE you can do a tremendous amount of work simply using levels and curves, which have the bonus of Photoshop familiarity. Most NLEs have color correction, from basic to advanced. But the overall set of decisions you make should be planned in before you shoot. If you have to match footage from different days, etc., there's plenty of tutorials out there.