Controlling Color under RED lights at DVinfo.net

Scott Shuster · April 13th, 2002, 08:21 AM

We spend almost all our time filming dancers in low-light club environments, where very often the club owner thinks it's cool to shine a RED light, which can cause a blooming, glowing effect.

If the place is bathed in red, we should probably show it as red, but if we white balance on a white card under a red light that will make that white card look white when it is supposed to look red. So we'd like to show the red but without the 'blooming' effect.

Other salient facts: We always shoot the dancers at 30 frames per second (even when there's plenty of light), and we also use manual exposure settings at all times, because the light conditions are often changed -- that red light, for example, will switch to a green or yellow from time to time, and the overall level of light available will also change dramatically. I literally can't remember the last time I shot using any 'automatic' setting.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with these kinds of vexxing acquisition challenges?

Lou Bruno · April 13th, 2002, 05:34 PM

The whole secret is in the CP mode.

Lower the Saturation by one or two clicks.

Adjust the AE under the lighting conditions you will be shooting under.

LOU BRUNO

Scott Shuster · April 14th, 2002, 11:00 AM

It took me a while to figure out what "CP" is -- but then I spotted it -- at the back of the handle! Been using this thing for a YEAR and NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS! What a great adjustment tool! A thousand thanks....
Scott

Lou Bruno · April 14th, 2002, 04:58 PM

SCOTT:

ALSO-raise your sharpness level 75%
by using the CP mode. This DOES NOT introduce grain as in the old days. It actually increases the edges.

ALSO the ALC should be set to 12db.

In the MAIN menu shut the auto shutter to OFF

AND.....you can match other camera's
via using the COLOR correction in CP.

I match my VX2000 with the JVC GY DV500 and 300 by using the CP. I introduce a litte green to the picture to perform a near perfect match.

Lou Bruno

Scott Shuster · April 14th, 2002, 07:29 PM

Lou, You're great. I can't wait to try this stuff! The camera is even better than I thought!
Thanks again,
Scott

April 13th, 2002, 08:21 AM	#1
Scott Shuster Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 125	Controlling Color under RED lights We spend almost all our time filming dancers in low-light club environments, where very often the club owner thinks it's cool to shine a RED light, which can cause a blooming, glowing effect. If the place is bathed in red, we should probably show it as red, but if we white balance on a white card under a red light that will make that white card look white when it is supposed to look red. So we'd like to show the red but without the 'blooming' effect. Other salient facts: We always shoot the dancers at 30 frames per second (even when there's plenty of light), and we also use manual exposure settings at all times, because the light conditions are often changed -- that red light, for example, will switch to a green or yellow from time to time, and the overall level of light available will also change dramatically. I literally can't remember the last time I shot using any 'automatic' setting. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with these kinds of vexxing acquisition challenges? __________________ http://stratostream.com -- dance & fitness videos

April 14th, 2002, 07:29 PM	#5
Scott Shuster Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 125	Lou, You're great. I can't wait to try this stuff! The camera is even better than I thought! Thanks again, Scott __________________ http://stratostream.com -- dance & fitness videos

April 13th, 2002, 05:34 PM	#2
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	The whole secret is in the CP mode. Lower the Saturation by one or two clicks. Adjust the AE under the lighting conditions you will be shooting under. LOU BRUNO

April 14th, 2002, 11:00 AM	#3
Scott Shuster Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 125	It took me a while to figure out what "CP" is -- but then I spotted it -- at the back of the handle! Been using this thing for a YEAR and NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS! What a great adjustment tool! A thousand thanks.... Scott

April 14th, 2002, 04:58 PM	#4
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	SCOTT: ALSO-raise your sharpness level 75% by using the CP mode. This DOES NOT introduce grain as in the old days. It actually increases the edges. ALSO the ALC should be set to 12db. In the MAIN menu shut the auto shutter to OFF AND.....you can match other camera's via using the COLOR correction in CP. I match my VX2000 with the JVC GY DV500 and 300 by using the CP. I introduce a litte green to the picture to perform a near perfect match. Lou Bruno