Test pics

S

Shaw

Veteran
Hey everyone,

Just trying some experiments and testing color correcting plain old video look (no gamma adjustment and no cine-matrix). These are not full res and the aspect ratio is a little strange (something near 1.73) thanks to my attempts at making a DIY lens... I begin to wonder if it's worth the time ::)

Anyway, enjoy. Comments are appreciated. I'm mostly looking for feedback on my color grading.

Originals:

colorgrade.jpg

colorgrade1.jpg


Graded Images:

graded.jpg

graded1.jpg


Comments and suggestions most welcome :). All grading done with the native PPro controls.
 
Re: Test pics

why is everyone posting color graded stuff? Obviously it is cool to play around with the image. And whatever you want to do, is up to you? There just seems to be a lot of posts about changing the colors lately.
 
Re: Test pics

Beats me. The test shots I had were done with the least amount of manipulation possible so I could judge my progress with a DIY lens. Thought I would grade some of 'em just for the heck of it as I can always use feedback in that area!

Just a note: The images are cropped from their normal frame size due to some weird abberations.
 
Re: Test pics

i actually like the original colors. And the shots look cool. I'd love to see some video of that.
What is it for if you don't mind me asking?
 
Re: Test pics

[quote author=Arcburn link=board=Clips;num=1099447771;start=0#1 date=11/02/04 at 18:13:45]why is everyone posting color graded stuff?  Obviously it is cool to play around with the image. And whatever you want to do, is up to you? There just seems to be a lot of posts about changing the colors lately.[/quote]

Its better than nothing.
 
Re: Test pics

Yeah the colors are actually quite nice. I was just trying to experiment with adapting them to certain moods. I had the following specifically in mind:

Image #1

I wanted to go for a basic warm film type look with this one. Nothing too special really. I felt it would be interesting to enhance the surrounding environment and sort of blend the marines into it with color.

Image #2

I wasn't entirely sure what to do with this one. I tried several different things but nothing seemed to fit my taste. I decided I would try to go for a cooler look (as in color temp) than the first image. Still needs plenty of work but it's a start. To a degree I followed the look of a bleach bypass but I certainly did not try to mimick the look to perfection. Too cliche now.

Again I can use all the feedback I can get so please don't hesitate to tell me they suck and suggest alternative ideas!
 
Re: Test pics

I liked the originals better too. Having said that... experimentation is one of the best learning tools I know of. Feedback on that experimentation is the icing on the cake. Keep on playin man!

Where did you get such neat shots?
 
Re: Test pics

Ai feedback is very helpful indeed! Anyone else have thoughts? Even just to say "these suck, learn to grade?" :D

Achburn: sorry I missed your question there. I'm not sure how I overlooked it.

These shots are actually part of a test for a feature film based on some events that took place in Kosovo during the late 1990s. I can't say more at the moment other than I'm looking for investors ;D

Anyway, I quite like the script and think it has some potential. It's just a matter of finding funding now.
 
Re: Test pics

I like the 1st graded image. Looks cool... maybe it's just those guns though :)

Green is overrunning the 2nd grade image. I actually like the original for the 2nd one.

Keep experimenting! You can only get better
 
Re: Test pics

Yeah!

Experimentation is perfectly healthy - I think it's important to keep trying stuff out - and there's certainly nothin' wrong with posting the results of your colour grading here for us to critique.

The first grading pic is my fave too. Subtle is the key, personally, I like colour correction that doesn't draw attention to itself. What does anyone else think?
 
Re: Test pics

I like subtle color grading as well. Just enough to influence the observer but not enough to draw overt attention to the fact that the image has been manipulated. Do you guys think the grading on the first or second was too much? Should I cut back? How would you have graded these?
 
Re: Test pics

Green is overrunning the 2nd grade image.
Click to expand...

Actually that was done intentionally :). I severely desaturated the midtones and boosted the green color levels and saturation. I also aded a little bit of cyan to the highlights and small amount of yellow to shadows. I'm not sure I like the look but it was interesting to try.
 
Re: Test pics

I like the way the first image turned out but the second did not fit the (IMHO) your actors situation. Very flat image to start with so not much to work from. I might be guessing but are you going for a dream/flashback/night shot? I even tried playing with it, color cor. and gradient mapping. If it were me I'd re-shoot.

HunterG

p.s. In and open field you would never bunch up like that, to big of a target.
 
Re: Test pics

Thanks for the feedback HunterG. It was very useful.

I agree - the second image doesn't really fit with what is happening. These were just plain tests of a DIY lens (actually this just happened to coincide with a short gathering for some promotional footage so I took the extra time to shoot with and without the lens) so I wasn't too worried about composition, exposure etc. I was looking mainly for optical abberations.

As for the circle: This is just following a drop via helicopter. It is usual for the team to circle until all members are off and accounted for before moving to cover as a team.
 
Re: Test pics

I think the color in th eoriginal is fine. The problem are the camouflage uniforms. I still see them... :-/
 
Re: Test pics

I'll be the only one, and say I actually like the coloring on the second one. Since these are just tests, I think thats a great look for when these guys are running through the woods or something. Combining these colors with fast edits could make an awesome climax.

I agree, its a little out of place with the action, but since this is just a test, I like the extreme green color you have in the second image.

Nice job
 
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