lights/black and white at DVinfo.net

Jay Reilly · June 18th, 2002, 08:01 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am goning to start production on a short and I have 2 questions...

With black and white video...do you get better results going black and white at shot...or do it in post production in premiere? Stats are XL1s and premiere 6.0

Second question...

I want to get a real dreamy dark romantic feel indoors...and suggestions on lights...and camera settings for darker richer feel? Can you make lighting equiptment from Home Depot? Any suggestions on type of bulbs and what not...

Thanks in advance!

June 18th, 2002, 10:34 PM

There's no advantage to going B/W in the camera except that you get the preview the shot in the viewfinder in B/W. I'd just shoot everything in color and go B/W in post, you can always convert the video to B/W, but not the other way around. So if later down the road you decide to use a color shot, you've got that option.

Don't know about lights, except that B/W should make things a little easier since color temp isn't really important.

hope this helps

Mark

Rob Lohman · June 19th, 2002, 03:48 AM

I agree with Mark. Do B/W in post. However, keep in mind that
some colors in B/W are the same! I saw a making of from the
movie Pleasantville and it displayed an example of this. So it
might be nice to have a black and white (switchable?) monitor
on set to make sure you are getting everything lateron.

One other advantage to do it in post is that you can:

1. control the B/W process more. I did a test where I made my
footage B/W with a slight color to it. You didn't actually noticed
the color, but it was a different image then true B/W
2. if you decide B/W is not working you can still go back to color
3. you could have a B/W scene with one item in color, if you are
good in post production. This can make some real nice effects.

June 19th, 2002, 09:20 AM

Rob:

Would shooting in B&W allow you to use certain filters, such as a yellow or red filter, that you couldn't use if you were shooting in color?

Ken Tanaka · June 19th, 2002, 10:24 AM

Yes, to some extent the b&w contrast control filters from still photography can have similar effects in video although ccd's and digital signal processors do not behave quite the same as film emulsions.

But, honestly, since you can manipulate your image so completely with any good nle in post I don't think it's worth the hassle to play with the filters. In my opinion, it's better to get the best, truest original image (and to see that image in your viewfinder) and then fine-tune it later.

Jeff Donald · June 19th, 2002, 02:13 PM

I always prefer to have as many options as possible. So, usually i shot color and change to B & W in post. The exception is if the client or script says the shot will be in B & W. Then we use filters (red, yellow, orange etc.) just like film. Filters change the gray scale of the scene and are used to enhance the contrast. Custumes and sets are designed for B & W also. If I am shooting color I just turn down the chroma on the monitor to simulate the B & W scene.

Jeff

June 18th, 2002, 08:01 PM	#1
Jay Reilly New Boot Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Diego County Posts: 20	lights/black and white Hi Everyone, I am goning to start production on a short and I have 2 questions... With black and white video...do you get better results going black and white at shot...or do it in post production in premiere? Stats are XL1s and premiere 6.0 Second question... I want to get a real dreamy dark romantic feel indoors...and suggestions on lights...and camera settings for darker richer feel? Can you make lighting equiptment from Home Depot? Any suggestions on type of bulbs and what not... Thanks in advance! __________________ Jay Reilly Oceanside, CA jay@jayreilly.com

June 19th, 2002, 03:48 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I agree with Mark. Do B/W in post. However, keep in mind that some colors in B/W are the same! I saw a making of from the movie Pleasantville and it displayed an example of this. So it might be nice to have a black and white (switchable?) monitor on set to make sure you are getting everything lateron. One other advantage to do it in post is that you can: 1. control the B/W process more. I did a test where I made my footage B/W with a slight color to it. You didn't actually noticed the color, but it was a different image then true B/W 2. if you decide B/W is not working you can still go back to color 3. you could have a B/W scene with one item in color, if you are good in post production. This can make some real nice effects. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 19th, 2002, 10:24 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, to some extent the b&w contrast control filters from still photography can have similar effects in video although ccd's and digital signal processors do not behave quite the same as film emulsions. But, honestly, since you can manipulate your image so completely with any good nle in post I don't think it's worth the hassle to play with the filters. In my opinion, it's better to get the best, truest original image (and to see that image in your viewfinder) and then fine-tune it later. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 18th, 2002, 10:34 PM	#2
Mark Percival Posts: n/a	There's no advantage to going B/W in the camera except that you get the preview the shot in the viewfinder in B/W. I'd just shoot everything in color and go B/W in post, you can always convert the video to B/W, but not the other way around. So if later down the road you decide to use a color shot, you've got that option. Don't know about lights, except that B/W should make things a little easier since color temp isn't really important. hope this helps Mark

June 19th, 2002, 09:20 AM	#4
jukulu33 Posts: n/a	Rob: Would shooting in B&W allow you to use certain filters, such as a yellow or red filter, that you couldn't use if you were shooting in color?

June 19th, 2002, 02:13 PM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I always prefer to have as many options as possible. So, usually i shot color and change to B & W in post. The exception is if the client or script says the shot will be in B & W. Then we use filters (red, yellow, orange etc.) just like film. Filters change the gray scale of the scene and are used to enhance the contrast. Custumes and sets are designed for B & W also. If I am shooting color I just turn down the chroma on the monitor to simulate the B & W scene. Jeff