"Blue noise" in the shadows. How do you shoot "black"??

[Matt Williams]

I'm currently shooting with the Scarlet and have been running into blue specks of noise in the shadows. After reading around I've come to the conclusion that I am obviously "under-exposing" the shadows. My question is, why does that create noise? Isn't the point of a shadow that it is under-exposed and darker than your subject? How do you film someone against a background that is supposed to be in shadow without getting this blue noise?

Camera information:

400 ISO
48 fps
1/96 sec shutter
1:7 compression ratio
3K
Zeiss Super speed glass (typical stops ranging from 1.2-4.5)

You'll notice in the R3D snapshot I've here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/iwqhq2...1.0000320F.R3D
That the blacks on this particular shot are very concentrated with a specifically "blue" noise. How do I shoot a shot like this without getting that (and without having to crush the blacks in post)?

[Joseph Coleman]

you'll probably just have to crush the blacks down in post. Also remember that Red does no noise reduction in camera so plugins like Neat Video are a must for any Red users arsenal. I would also make sure and do a black shade when the camera gets up to temperature.

[Matt Williams]

Gotcha...What exactly do you mean when you say to do a black shade when the camera "gets up to temperature"? Thank you very much for your time!

[Justin Marx]

look good now? (BEFORE)




AFTER (wooooo)

[Glen David Miller]

Matt,

While waiting, pull-out or download your camera manual and read up on the set up section. There, it describes how to perform a black calibration.

Because any sensor creates noise at different temp levels, you turn on the camera and allow it to 'heat up,' if you will, for a moment. Then, the software performs a check and attempts to (in a general sense) wipe out the noise level.

Because the Red is allowing you full control, you will need to shoot a stop or so over what's normal so you achieve some "details in the shadows," and then, you remove them. Sounds crazy? Welcome to the crazy world of professionals! :D This is the kind of thing we want. It allows someone to create a look because the world is wide open to them. It's the total opposite of the consumer camera idea.

Hope that helps. Now, go play!

-Glen

[Matt Williams]

Thanks! That helps a lot! :) I'll go do that!

And Justin, did you just do that tweak in Redcine-X? Could you possibly tell me which changes you made??

[Justin Marx]

Thanks! That helps a lot! :) I'll go do that!

And Justin, did you just do that tweak in Redcine-X? Could you possibly tell me which changes you made??

Yep, al in RCX..

I adjusted the shadow and contrast, a bit, upped your ISO to 800, brought your KELVIN to aroun 2700? don't really remember, got rid of a little RED and GREEN, and added a bit of brightness..

I think its great if you have the time to BLACK BALANCE often on your shoot, but most of the time its just impossible.. I have my AC do it before he even rolls the cart out of the truck.. usually you can make things work in post as long as you expose properly.. If you under expose you will have trouble when you try to get the blacks "black".. You exposed nicely, so it was easy to bring the black to black.. I have no idea why your TINT was so wacky though! Keep an eye on that stuff..


RAW IS A FUCKING AMAZING TOOL, but you need to make sure you expose properly and you will 99% of the time be fine..

[Matt Williams]

Thank you so much man! That relieves me a lot. I completely forgot to black balance (haven't shot red for over a year), and I knew something had to be wrong, because it didn't seem right to be getting that much noise. MOST appreciated! :)

[Justin Marx]

Thank you so much man! That relieves me a lot. I completely forgot to black balance (haven't shot red for over a year), and I knew something had to be wrong, because it didn't seem right to be getting that much noise. MOST appreciated! :)

Even when you black balance you still might see a bit of noise in the blacks.. Sometimes its nice actually.. Just know as long as you light your scene well you can get rid of it.. (also there is software too)

[Matt Williams]

That's a relief...What de-noiser would you recommend for a FCP editor (He has color, and Red Giant)? I'm a DP but typically don't cut or grade the footage I shoot.