What is Crushing Blacks?

[Matt Sconce]

Hello,
I have read many posts where people speak of crushing blacks in the final picture. What is this and how is it done? Thanks!

 

[BradFu]

Short answer:

If the shadowy/dark/unlit areas in your frame are pure black, then they are 'crushed', meaning you can't make out any detail in those parts. You can control the black level with the master pedestal function in the camera settings.

 

[Jeremy Ordan]

Just go to this article for a visual example. It is really clear once you see it and will help you properly set up your scene files:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=24152

 

[Matt Sconce]

Thanks for the response...sorry for the double post...I thought it did not send the first time. Is there a way to crush the blacks in post production using AVID or After Effects? I do not have a DVX yet...hopefully soon...and am wanting to get this effect with my Sony VX2100.

 

[Jeremy Ordan]

I'm not that familiar with Avid or the Sony, but in my NLE (Vegas) by going into the Curves and Levels filters you are able to get a more solid black, also playing with brightness and contrast helps.

What you want to do to find out about Avid is post in the Avid thread