Color Correcting in PP CS3 at DVinfo.net

Bill Zens · August 15th, 2007, 07:43 PM

I am looking to switch to CS3 from Liquid, and am in the process of testing it right now. So I have several questions, one of which is in color correcting. I really like the histogram feature in Liquid, and corrected these clips very easily using it:
http://candlelightdigital.com/comparison.aspx
These clips are what I've been using as my torture test. It takes me virtually no time to get to this "acceptable" status on some bad original footage within Liquid.
I struggled with a couple of the filters in PP, including Fast Color Corrector, White Balance Fix, Three way color corrector...
Nothing gave acceptable results, and they all took quite a bit of time.

Granted, this is a pretty extreme example, but it is an easy fix in Liquid. How would you fix this in PP, and how much time would it take?

Wes Coughlin · August 15th, 2007, 10:31 PM

I would use the RGB Curves. Probably get a decent result under a minute if you know exactly what to do, but probably around 3-5 minutes.

Reduce the red channel, increase the master level, add some blue etc...

Curves are great.

Bill Zens · August 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Is this something that can be done in Afer Effects?

Bill Zens · August 16th, 2007, 08:52 PM

OK, I was able to do a pretty good match. You're right, lowered the red bit, upped the blue a tidge, and got it to an accpetable range in a couple minutes of futzing around.

My deal is going to be in understanding color now, what to add, and what to subtract.

Son of a .....

Onwards and upwards, and now to my next questions...

Jiri Fiala · August 17th, 2007, 07:08 AM

The question is, why would you want to switch to Premiere from Liquid? I am kind of tied in with PPro having Matrox RTX2 and all, but Liquid is probably more powerful than Premiere. What do you think?

Bill Zens · August 17th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Actually, the upgrade I'm thinking about is CS3. Here's why...
CS3 has most (if not all) of the products I would need in one easy to use package, and moving (and editing) from package to package is very attractive to me. Soundbooth for audio, After Effects, Encore, Flash and Illustrator, with an easy "bridge" connecting them all is very attractive.
Secondly I believe ( but am not sure) that the features offered in PP and the other products are far superior to what's currently available in Liquid.
PP also has much better support and recognition, in product training, 3rd party products, etc.

My version of Liquid is circa 2004 (5.6) and its obviously screaming for a change. I do know it like the back of my hand, and am wondering if it's worth the time to learn a new program.

A lot of non Liquid users struggle with it because (as I hear it) the command set is somewhat backwards. I'm the opposite... I'm used to thinking in the Liquid style and am somewhat concerned about changing my thought process and going to a more traditional system.

So, because this is my thread, I think I'll hijack it and ask what your thoughts are as to learning curves, and all the features of the CS3 package are.

In a nutshell...
********************************************************
************ IS IT WORTH IT??? ****************************
********************************************************

Bill

Damon Gaskin · August 18th, 2007, 06:07 PM

I would suggest trying out the trial. You can then determine for yourself if it's worth it. In all honesty, it will probably depend on how fast you can switch from the mind and skillset of the app your working with now. Some will say it is worth it and others will probably say it's not. I am in the mindset of making your own decision...

Then you will simply know for self. I love Premiere and have been using it for a few years. I couldn't imagine at this point doing what your thinking about. But this version is the best thus far IMHO and a great time to switch over. The learning can be a little involved, but nothing that can't be overcome.

August 15th, 2007, 07:43 PM	#1
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	Color Correcting in PP CS3 I am looking to switch to CS3 from Liquid, and am in the process of testing it right now. So I have several questions, one of which is in color correcting. I really like the histogram feature in Liquid, and corrected these clips very easily using it: http://candlelightdigital.com/comparison.aspx These clips are what I've been using as my torture test. It takes me virtually no time to get to this "acceptable" status on some bad original footage within Liquid. I struggled with a couple of the filters in PP, including Fast Color Corrector, White Balance Fix, Three way color corrector... Nothing gave acceptable results, and they all took quite a bit of time. Granted, this is a pretty extreme example, but it is an easy fix in Liquid. How would you fix this in PP, and how much time would it take?

August 15th, 2007, 10:31 PM	#2
Wes Coughlin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 206	I would use the RGB Curves. Probably get a decent result under a minute if you know exactly what to do, but probably around 3-5 minutes. Reduce the red channel, increase the master level, add some blue etc... Curves are great. __________________ http://wildlookout.com

August 17th, 2007, 07:50 PM	#6
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	To change or not to change? Actually, the upgrade I'm thinking about is CS3. Here's why... CS3 has most (if not all) of the products I would need in one easy to use package, and moving (and editing) from package to package is very attractive to me. Soundbooth for audio, After Effects, Encore, Flash and Illustrator, with an easy "bridge" connecting them all is very attractive. Secondly I believe ( but am not sure) that the features offered in PP and the other products are far superior to what's currently available in Liquid. PP also has much better support and recognition, in product training, 3rd party products, etc. My version of Liquid is circa 2004 (5.6) and its obviously screaming for a change. I do know it like the back of my hand, and am wondering if it's worth the time to learn a new program. A lot of non Liquid users struggle with it because (as I hear it) the command set is somewhat backwards. I'm the opposite... I'm used to thinking in the Liquid style and am somewhat concerned about changing my thought process and going to a more traditional system. So, because this is my thread, I think I'll hijack it and ask what your thoughts are as to learning curves, and all the features of the CS3 package are. In a nutshell... ****************************************************** ******** IS IT WORTH IT??? ************************ ****************************************************** Bill

August 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM	#3
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	Is this something that can be done in Afer Effects?

August 16th, 2007, 08:52 PM	#4
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	OK, I was able to do a pretty good match. You're right, lowered the red bit, upped the blue a tidge, and got it to an accpetable range in a couple minutes of futzing around. My deal is going to be in understanding color now, what to add, and what to subtract. Son of a ..... Onwards and upwards, and now to my next questions...

August 17th, 2007, 07:08 AM	#5
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	The question is, why would you want to switch to Premiere from Liquid? I am kind of tied in with PPro having Matrox RTX2 and all, but Liquid is probably more powerful than Premiere. What do you think?

August 18th, 2007, 06:07 PM	#7
Damon Gaskin Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn Hills, USA Posts: 217	I would suggest trying out the trial. You can then determine for yourself if it's worth it. In all honesty, it will probably depend on how fast you can switch from the mind and skillset of the app your working with now. Some will say it is worth it and others will probably say it's not. I am in the mindset of making your own decision... Then you will simply know for self. I love Premiere and have been using it for a few years. I couldn't imagine at this point doing what your thinking about. But this version is the best thus far IMHO and a great time to switch over. The learning can be a little involved, but nothing that can't be overcome.