Filtration vs plugins

[hisonni johnson]

Good morning guys! Im growing as a cinematographer.

I own a RED EPIC and FS700 with the Odyssey 7Q. I'd like to begin styling my shots in a way that has nothing to do with the lighting. I have a gymnastic comedy I'm doing with an all female cast and would like to use soft filters by Tiffen or even diffusion filters. I believe you can achieve the ams look by using plug ins in post. My question is which one yields the best result? Filtration or Post plugins? Or is it a bit of both? Thanks for the tips!!!

 

[Nick Morrison]

Good morning guys! Im growing as a cinematographer.

I own a RED EPIC and FS700 with the Odyssey 7Q. I'd like to begin styling my shots in a way that has nothing to do with the lighting. I have a gymnastic comedy I'm doing with an all female cast and would like to use soft filters by Tiffen or even diffusion filters. I believe you can achieve the ams look by using plug ins in post. My question is which one yields the best result? Filtration or Post plugins? Or is it a bit of both? Thanks for the tips!!!

There's no definitive answer. Some people like to filter, others prefer to do it in post. However doing it in post requires considerable skill and can take quite a lot of time, which is why many chose in camera. Also, some looks are easier done in-camera.

If you are shooting young talent, maybe consider Classic Soft 1/8 and Classic Soft 1/4, which were used often on GLEE. Glimmerglass can be quite nice too (I believe a look used on 30 Rock).

Hope this helps.

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Shoot a test.

Use the next lighter degree of filtration than the one you liked in the test because you can always make it heavier in post.

Carry even lighter degrees of filtration for shots where some natural softening is occurring, or just pull the filter.

 

[Dr. Sassi]

Many of the diffusion filters should be also tested with each focal length. The effect varies heavily based on that, and several filter show a pattern/structure in the Bokeh, which can't be simulated with plug-ins. (If that is wanted at all -- is a different discussion ;o)

Several diffusion filters allow for a "higher dynamic range" to be captured, as they illuminate the blacks for example (and lower so the result in DR).

Any light that is not visible with the "naked" lens, can't be reproduced based on the footage, but, e.g., GlimmerGlass can collect this light easily.

A filter that can't be simulated is the Polarization Filter.

Changing some stuff in post -- with 6K -- might be a nightmare for a complete feature film, if it is a complex set up to achieve the effect.