Dragon at 400 ISO

[Matt Ryan]

Looks good Rob! One thing I'd suggest is to not use the Saturation Look slider and instead use the post saturation option lower down in RCX (or leave it at 1.0 in camera and leave saturation to post). It gives a more subtle, better saturation effect. Give it a try and I'm sure you will like the effect more.

Here's my RCX only grade:

 

[Tom Van]

Looks good Rob! One thing I'd suggest is to not use the Saturation Look slider and instead use the post saturation option lower down in RCX (or leave it at 1.0 in camera and leave saturation to post). It gives a more subtle, better saturation effect. Give it a try and I'm sure you will like the effect more.

Just tried it, you're right. The differences are subtle for much much more pleasing. Thanks for the tip Matt.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Just tried it, you're right. The differences are subtle for much much more pleasing. Thanks for the tip Matt.

No problem, it's a little thing that can help your footage a ton. Whenever I see the overly mushy looking saturation usually it's because someone used the pre-debayer saturation slider. I wish they would actually remove that slider as an option.

 

[Rob Macey]

Looks good Rob! One thing I'd suggest is to not use the Saturation Look slider and instead use the post saturation option lower down in RCX (or leave it at 1.0 in camera and leave saturation to post). It gives a more subtle, better saturation effect. Give it a try and I'm sure you will like the effect more.

Here's my RCX only grade:

Very very nice Matt. I always shoot a Chroma Du Monde chart at the head of each roll per camera so the client can match each camera and get them to where they want which is very close to this pass you made.

The challenge can be in the clients' post-processes with fast turnarounds from Dragon to Pix ProRes files to air. Usually, it's cut and barely corrected let alone graded for any number of time/budget reasons in my case. The nature of TV often. Even network. In other words, grading, finishing with a desired look is a luxury not implemented into their workflow. So, we end up matching cameras on site and handing off the footage knowing I need to get the look as close to how the client needs it, in-camera so they can make a basic correction if needed.

This shot you colored is one of 55 different people that sat in the chair. Sometimes, we had 3 on 1's and 2 on 1's. So, you can imagine how much could be spent of perfecting each celebrity shot.

But, looks great!

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Looks good Rob! One thing I'd suggest is to not use the Saturation Look slider and instead use the post saturation option lower down in RCX (or leave it at 1.0 in camera and leave saturation to post). It gives a more subtle, better saturation effect. Give it a try and I'm sure you will like the effect more.

Here's my RCX only grade:

Care to share an RMD of your settings for this?
Thanks Matt!

 

[Brian Boyer]

Just tried it, you're right. The differences are subtle for much much more pleasing. Thanks for the tip Matt.

No problem, it's a little thing that can help your footage a ton. Whenever I see the overly mushy looking saturation usually it's because someone used the pre-debayer saturation slider. I wish they would actually remove that slider as an option.

Come on, guys. This thread is only 3 pages long. Stacey Spears beat us all there.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...n-at-400-ISO&p=1390364&viewfull=1#post1390364

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...n-at-400-ISO&p=1390602&viewfull=1#post1390602

 

[Matt Ryan]

Come on, guys. This thread is only 3 pages long. Stacey Spears beat us all there.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...n-at-400-ISO&p=1390364&viewfull=1#post1390364

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...n-at-400-ISO&p=1390602&viewfull=1#post1390602

You can go back even further here on Reduser where I've recommended that. That's been years ago. Come on man

 

[Matt Ryan]

Care to share an RMD of your settings for this?
Thanks Matt!

Wouldn't that be like a magician giving away his tricks? lol

It's just a basic grade with a mix of post fx like skin, clarity, and unsharp mask. I combine all three for a desired softening/smoothing effect. I just play around until I like it.

If I'm doing serious color I do it in Resolve, but RCX can get you quite a ways with properly shot footage.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Very very nice Matt. I always shoot a Chroma Du Monde chart at the head of each roll per camera so the client can match each camera and get them to where they want which is very close to this pass you made.

The challenge can be in the clients' post-processes with fast turnarounds from Dragon to Pix ProRes files to air. Usually, it's cut and barely corrected let alone graded for any number of time/budget reasons in my case. The nature of TV often. Even network. In other words, grading, finishing with a desired look is a luxury not implemented into their workflow. So, we end up matching cameras on site and handing off the footage knowing I need to get the look as close to how the client needs it, in-camera so they can make a basic correction if needed.

This shot you colored is one of 55 different people that sat in the chair. Sometimes, we had 3 on 1's and 2 on 1's. So, you can imagine how much could be spent of perfecting each celebrity shot.

But, looks great!

Understood, I work some of those jobs too.

It's refreshing to see properly lit Dragon footage

 

[Brian Boyer]

You can go back even further here on Reduser where I've recommended that. That's been years ago. Come on man

I can dig it. I only found out about the difference a few months ago.

Tom credited you for the tip without realizing it had already been mentioned on pages 1 and 2.

Stacey inadvertently got Mr. Jacksoned:

 

[Matt Ryan]

I can dig it. I only found out about the difference a few months ago.

hahahaha that show is awesome

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Wouldn't that be like a magician giving away his tricks? lol

It's just a basic grade with a mix of post fx like skin, clarity, and unsharp mask. I combine all three for a desired softening/smoothing effect. I just play around until I like it.

If I'm doing serious color I do it in Resolve, but RCX can get you quite a ways with properly shot footage.

Darn, I couldn't get you to break the magician's oath of secrecy. I tried!

I knew you used the post effects, was just curious to see where you landed on them but I can pretty much figure it out. Looks nice by the way.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Darn, I couldn't get you to break the magician's oath of secrecy. I tried!

I knew you used the post effects, was just curious to see where you landed on them but I can pretty much figure it out. Looks nice by the way.

I wish I had a formula but it's pretty much dumb luck haha. When I do real grades it's much easier to pull off an image like this and do selective skin softening, but it's a fun challenge staying in RedcineX only. Thanks Steve!

 

[Adrian Weinbrecht]

Sure. I had 4 hours to setup and light a series of 4-camera interviews over 4 days. Barely enough time for the initial setup. It's more efficient to run xlr from my Soundman's mixer to the four cameras and then SDI out from the cameras into the Pix's. Cleaner setup, less cabling and faster in this case. My Soundman has no complaints about audio from Dragon at all.

Thanks Rob

 

[Tom Van]

Come on, guys. This thread is only 3 pages long. Stacey Spears beat us all there.

Correct. Because I'm a visual guy, showing me and telling me can be 2 different things. Matt's image actually compelled me to open up RCX and tinker with the controls but Stacey pointed it out first. Apologies Mr Spears.