How to fix this shot from a HF20 at DVinfo.net

Kelly Langerak · October 28th, 2009, 12:00 PM

I shot this wedding in Big Sur and got nothing but hard shadows in the forground even when I would put my back to the sun. I've tried some basic changes with the 3-way color corrector in Final Cut 7, but it really washes out the entire picture.

1. Any tips on how to possible fix the shot so we can see his face?

2. How do I avoid this in the future? I tried many different modes, nothing seemed to fix it.
What setting would you guys use to fix the foreground?

Best,
Kelly

Predrag Vasic · October 28th, 2009, 01:29 PM

I don't know exactly where this feature can be found in FCP, but I took your image and adjusted curves in Photoshop. I believe Colour (part of FCP studio) should have a Curve adjustment tool that will do what you need.

You'll need to do some research on this, though.

Chris Barcellos · October 28th, 2009, 01:41 PM

Adjusted same pic with Levels in Vegas, then pushed saturation up a bit. See pic attached.

Predrag Vasic · October 28th, 2009, 01:49 PM

If that works for you, then you got your solution.

I thought you mentioned Final Cut Pro in your first message. Where did Vegas come from???

Kelly Langerak · October 28th, 2009, 01:50 PM

Wow, thanks guys for showing me some examples. I would have to adjust it in FCP. I pretty much get the same results when using the color corrector in FC.

Any more suggestions are welcome.

Chris, you live in Elk Grove? I use to go to Kerr Jr. High and Florin High.

Brian Boyko · October 28th, 2009, 02:00 PM

I got to here, using kind of a "Poor Man's HDR" technique.
imgur: the simple image host

Using Vegas, I put the pic (in your case, the video) on two different timelines. On the top one, I inverted it, set it to black and white, and applied levels, then set the compositing mode to overlay and the opacity to 70%. This created an lower-contrast image, where the skin tones were roughly the same luminance value as the bright background.

I then copied the resulting image (you'll probably have to render-out) and applied levels and color correction. You lose detail in the background, but the background isn't the focus of your shot, is it?

Predrag Vasic · October 28th, 2009, 02:41 PM

I just realised the "Vegas" response came from a different poster (not the OP)... So I guess FCP it is, in which case Color 1.5 and the Curve controls.

Kelly Langerak · November 22nd, 2009, 05:15 PM

Thanks for your help people.

Here is the final product.

YouTube - Big Sur Wedding Movie Trailer

Kevin Bjorke · November 23rd, 2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Langerak

2. How do I avoid this in the future?

Reflectors.

Lighting tests.

James Miller · December 12th, 2009, 06:22 AM

Hi Kelly, Just a quick note.

Your super 'He Spent every nickel...' only displays for a few frames.

Battle Vaughan · December 12th, 2009, 02:40 PM

The 3-way shouldn't wash out the image; try adjusting while looking at the video scopes; bring the shadows up to about 10%, bring the midtone and highlight BALANCE more toward the yellow (it's a little blue) and see what happens. The highlights should be 90-95% with pure detail-less white at 100%. If the highlight tones start to bunch up at the top end, bring them down with the highlight tool.

The highlights have a lot of detail due to the underexposure so you have some room to bump up....the 3-way is a very comprehensive tool, you just have to play with it some to get familiar with it. /Battle Vaughan

PS: here's a link to a 3rd party free filter that is like the Photoshop highlight/shadow filter, works pretty well: http://www.lyric.com/fcp-plugins/#shadow

October 28th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#1
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	How to fix this shot from a HF20 I shot this wedding in Big Sur and got nothing but hard shadows in the forground even when I would put my back to the sun. I've tried some basic changes with the 3-way color corrector in Final Cut 7, but it really washes out the entire picture. 1. Any tips on how to possible fix the shot so we can see his face? 2. How do I avoid this in the future? I tried many different modes, nothing seemed to fix it. What setting would you guys use to fix the foreground? Best, Kelly Last edited by Kelly Langerak; October 28th, 2009 at 12:14 PM. Reason: add pic

October 28th, 2009, 01:29 PM	#2
Predrag Vasic Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Manhattan Posts: 131	Correcting backlit under-exposure I don't know exactly where this feature can be found in FCP, but I took your image and adjusted curves in Photoshop. I believe Colour (part of FCP studio) should have a Curve adjustment tool that will do what you need. You'll need to do some research on this, though. Attached Thumbnails

October 28th, 2009, 01:41 PM	#3
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Adjusted same pic with Levels in Vegas, then pushed saturation up a bit. See pic attached. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

October 28th, 2009, 01:49 PM	#4
Predrag Vasic Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Manhattan Posts: 131	Looks good! If that works for you, then you got your solution. I thought you mentioned Final Cut Pro in your first message. Where did Vegas come from???

October 28th, 2009, 01:50 PM	#5
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Thanks Wow, thanks guys for showing me some examples. I would have to adjust it in FCP. I pretty much get the same results when using the color corrector in FC. Any more suggestions are welcome. Chris, you live in Elk Grove? I use to go to Kerr Jr. High and Florin High.

October 28th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#6
Brian Boyko Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 773	I got to here, using kind of a "Poor Man's HDR" technique. imgur: the simple image host Using Vegas, I put the pic (in your case, the video) on two different timelines. On the top one, I inverted it, set it to black and white, and applied levels, then set the compositing mode to overlay and the opacity to 70%. This created an lower-contrast image, where the skin tones were roughly the same luminance value as the bright background. I then copied the resulting image (you'll probably have to render-out) and applied levels and color correction. You lose detail in the background, but the background isn't the focus of your shot, is it? __________________ Equip: Panny GH1, Canon HG20, Juicedlink, AT897, Sennh. EW/GW100, Zoom H2, Vegas 8.1

October 28th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#7
Predrag Vasic Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Manhattan Posts: 131	Confused...! I just realised the "Vegas" response came from a different poster (not the OP)... So I guess FCP it is, in which case Color 1.5 and the Curve controls.

November 22nd, 2009, 05:15 PM	#8
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Thanks for your help people. Here is the final product. YouTube - Big Sur Wedding Movie Trailer

December 12th, 2009, 06:22 AM	#10
James Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 317	Hi Kelly, Just a quick note. Your super 'He Spent every nickel...' only displays for a few frames.

December 12th, 2009, 02:40 PM	#11
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	The 3-way shouldn't wash out the image; try adjusting while looking at the video scopes; bring the shadows up to about 10%, bring the midtone and highlight BALANCE more toward the yellow (it's a little blue) and see what happens. The highlights should be 90-95% with pure detail-less white at 100%. If the highlight tones start to bunch up at the top end, bring them down with the highlight tool. The highlights have a lot of detail due to the underexposure so you have some room to bump up....the 3-way is a very comprehensive tool, you just have to play with it some to get familiar with it. /Battle Vaughan PS: here's a link to a 3rd party free filter that is like the Photoshop highlight/shadow filter, works pretty well: http://www.lyric.com/fcp-plugins/#shadow Last edited by Battle Vaughan; December 12th, 2009 at 02:55 PM. Reason: addendum