Black and White Documentary at DVinfo.net

Martin Noboa · June 18th, 2009, 10:16 AM

Hello there! My question is about how to get the most of black and white in the Sony V1.
I'm shooting a documentary in Paris, in September, about a retired photographer who's dying of aids, and is a southamerican political exciliate from the 70's, now living in a small room in the last floor of an old dark parisian building.

All his pics are in black and white, and Paris is quite a cool scenario for black and white. So my questions is how can I get the best of my Sony V1 and its functions thinking on this. I will be editing in FCP. I've never done something in B&W, so I would appreciate any kind of help!!

thank you
Martin

Lee Berger · June 18th, 2009, 12:03 PM

It's simple. Shoot in color and then use the Desaturate filter in FCP. It's a real time filter. You can also desaturate using the Color 3-way corrector. That way you can adjust Blacks, Midrange and Highlights. A free plugin from Eureka! simulates silver print and infa-Red. I would advise against using the in camera presets for black and white as you'll be stuck with it if you change your mind.

Good Luck!

Martin Noboa · June 18th, 2009, 01:35 PM

thanks!

And what about black strech? Would you recomend to use it? And is there another camera function that I could play with when thinkinng on B&W?

Thank you!

Lee Berger · June 18th, 2009, 01:41 PM

You might try some tests with and without black stretch. Shoot some and bring it into FCP and desaturate. I usually don't mess with camera profile settings, preferring to do my adjustments in post. That shouldn't stop you from experimenting prior to your shoot. If you don't have a broadcast quality television monitor, don't trust the viewer in FCP. If DVD is your final destination, burn a test DVD and play it on a few televisions.

Andrew Smith · July 6th, 2009, 06:46 AM

You might even wish to leave a hint of the colour left and not desaturate completely? Perhaps even start in colour and slowly go to near-desaturated for the end of his life ... or even the other way around. Just a thought.

Andrew

June 18th, 2009, 10:16 AM	#1
Martin Noboa Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: paris Posts: 55	Black and White Documentary Hello there! My question is about how to get the most of black and white in the Sony V1. I'm shooting a documentary in Paris, in September, about a retired photographer who's dying of aids, and is a southamerican political exciliate from the 70's, now living in a small room in the last floor of an old dark parisian building. All his pics are in black and white, and Paris is quite a cool scenario for black and white. So my questions is how can I get the best of my Sony V1 and its functions thinking on this. I will be editing in FCP. I've never done something in B&W, so I would appreciate any kind of help!! thank you Martin

June 18th, 2009, 12:03 PM	#2
Lee Berger Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 326	It's simple. Shoot in color and then use the Desaturate filter in FCP. It's a real time filter. You can also desaturate using the Color 3-way corrector. That way you can adjust Blacks, Midrange and Highlights. A free plugin from Eureka! simulates silver print and infa-Red. I would advise against using the in camera presets for black and white as you'll be stuck with it if you change your mind. Good Luck! __________________ www.leebergermedia.com

June 18th, 2009, 01:41 PM	#4
Lee Berger Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 326	You might try some tests with and without black stretch. Shoot some and bring it into FCP and desaturate. I usually don't mess with camera profile settings, preferring to do my adjustments in post. That shouldn't stop you from experimenting prior to your shoot. If you don't have a broadcast quality television monitor, don't trust the viewer in FCP. If DVD is your final destination, burn a test DVD and play it on a few televisions. __________________ www.leebergermedia.com

June 18th, 2009, 01:35 PM	#3
Martin Noboa Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: paris Posts: 55	thanks! And what about black strech? Would you recomend to use it? And is there another camera function that I could play with when thinkinng on B&W? Thank you!

July 6th, 2009, 06:46 AM	#5
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	You might even wish to leave a hint of the colour left and not desaturate completely? Perhaps even start in colour and slowly go to near-desaturated for the end of his life ... or even the other way around. Just a thought. Andrew