White cards, grey cards and black

[Bobonli]

I've been using the Vortex Warm Cards to "white balance" my cameras for awhile now and only recently did I realize that I should also be shooting the white one as a color sample for color correction in post. For those who haven't tried it, it does save some time in post when you can tell the color corrector what white was in the scene.

That got me thinking about setting the black point. Does anyone here shoot a black chip-chart sample in addition to grey and/or white?

I haven't been able to find an inexpensive "black card" for this task. Would there be anything wrong with getting a matte black paint color card sample from the Home Depot for this purpose?

Thank you,
Bob

 

[David G. Smith]

There shouldn't be anything wrong with doing that, but I would test your chart under different lighting conditions to make sure you are getting the results you want. I came from shooting film and have always liked having a grey card or grey scale as reference, but I have used some other standard references in a pinch. I did a project where I put a small 18% grey card and an American flag post card in the slate as reference and I once got into a situation where I had to shoot daylight stock indoors under tungsten lights. I put a grey card and white reference on the slates and then also took a green Michigan State Uniiversity sweatshirt, that the main charactor was wearing. to the lab, so the timer could make sure that came out right. The color guy was greatful and said that was a great idea. The stuff came out very good. So what ever works.