GH4 Please critique my video - color balance, contrast, etc.

J

jnorman34

Active member
I am shooting short doc style videos for the state historical society. the budget does not allow for extensive post production, so I am trying to get useable footage SOOC from the GH4 in 4k. please take a look at this video, and give me your best advise regarding what I might do to improve this kind of work - ie, is it too contrasty? do the colors look right? too saturated? other factors? thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxaKI0gJ14k
 
anybody? even a "looks fine to me" or "wow, you clearly don't know anything about color balance, do you?" would be appreciated...
 
Looks great to me.

My only minor criticism would be to get some close ups of those lovely textures may on a cheap slider to add a bit more production value. Also 2-3 of the shots looked a little washout compared to the others. But overall great stuff. loved the contrast and colours.

Surinder.
 
yeah. there is nothing wrong with the footage. seems in good focus. well enough composed. reasonably well exposed from subject to sky...
my only complaint is its dead boring. the images themselves have no meaning to anyone who isnt familiar with them and the music makes me want to off myself.

totally on board with surinder above. get some detailed shots. rust, cracking paint, weeds in the pavement. a close-up to lift from the railroad tracks.

your job isnt to just SHOW the subjects. but to paint a picture - ESPECIALLY if there isnt going to be a voiceover.
 
jnorman34 said:
I am shooting short doc style videos for the state historical society. the budget does not allow for extensive post production, so I am trying to get useable footage SOOC from the GH4 in 4k. please take a look at this video, and give me your best advise regarding what I might do to improve this kind of work - ie, is it too contrasty? do the colors look right? too saturated? other factors? thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxaKI0gJ14k
Click to expand...

You could really benefit from using some older glass. I am not sure what this was shot on but it does not inspire much feeling or emotion. Obviously the lens will not make or break the piece but might help bring some life into these rather lifeless 4K shots. The Gh4 with new contemporary glass and and somewhat average skill set is a dangerous combo.. so helping it with some low con takumar joints or even cheapo Nikon E Series 50 or 35 would definitely give it more "AIR".
Shot composition is aiight, but nothing to write home about. I am not sure panning constantly is really necessary.
And this music neeeeeeds to go !!
Hope this helps.
Good day.
 
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+1 on the vintage glass. I have a set of Nikkor AIS and a set of Leica R lenses that I love on digital sensors.
 
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Also, unless you're going for something specific, pick up an ND filter so that you can drop your shutter speed to 1/50th for 24p or 1/60th for 30p.

Gives a more natural feel to the motion, takes away the video-y-ness of it.

But that's just me. It looks fine.
 
that lens doesnt have filter threads. another in a long list of reasons to go out and find yourself some good old manual lenses ; )

the relatively generic looking and comparatively slow native glass was one of the reasons i left the GH world back in v2
 
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