Working Color Charts

H

Hyper

New member
I'm new to this and i discovered how complex the video color schemes are in NTSC/PAL - I'm interested in learning how to properly calibrate & use the DVX correctly, any recommendations on which color charts are good to work with other than the Macbeth Card. And if there are inexpensive options available. Any useful educational links on this would be awesome, that shows how to properly setup ans use the camera.

Thanx a million!
 
Re: Working Color Charts

Get a gray scale to start with. Macbeth color chips are only good for secondary color correction controls. Behind every good color picture is a good B+W picture. Getting proper exposure and setting black levels and white levels is key to that process.

There are lower cost gray scale charts on the market compared to the Macbeth chart and can be used to great effect in post color correction.

I also create a "virtual" black hole by lining a small (deep) can with black velvet that is th emost flat black you can find. The idea is to make a reference in the frame that is true black and this can be used in post for reference. Notice in my codec tests using a Macbeth, you will see that small can..

http://www.24p.com/codecs.htm

You will notice that the black in the can is blacker than the black on the Macbeth chart. That is becuase everything has some level of reflectance which affects the known value of the chart. The back of the can reduces the reflectance issue to almost zero.

I also like the spot meter in the camera and use it as a "zone" tool when setting up shots - read up on Ansel Adams and other references for the "zone system."

The following book has a pretty good example of the zone system as used in cinematography:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...5970827/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-3787442-1798363

Starting off with a good knowledge of the what the camera can do for each of the settings in a good start. I created a chart showing the effect and relationships of Master Pedestal, Set up, IRE, RGB and spot meter on the camera as a starting point for black level:

http://www.24p.com/dvx.htm

The rest can be done with a color chart and capturing it under different conditions and looking at the resulting footage on a waveform/vectorscope to see what each one does to the footage.

Good luck -


Michael
 
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