The cinematographer’s job to do good HDR is don’t clip the signal. That’s it. – Juan L. Cabrera, Supervising Colorist, LightBender
In HDR video, there is no artifact more repugnant than blown-out highlights. All that is required to avoid them is for the DP not to clip the signal, but many balk at upgrading their skills. These issues ought to have been spotted during pre-production or when reviewing dailies and they most certainly should not have passed Netflix QC.
Source: NetflixImage courtesy of Netflix. I Came By (2022). Cinematographer: Kit Fraser. Colorist Dan Moran tried valiantly to conceal the frightfully clipped highlights with heaps of diffusion, to no avail. Good bloom enhances realism, creating a subtle, atmospheric glow around bright light sources, while bad bloom is an overly aggressive and distracting effect.Image Courtesy of Netflix. Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (2023). Cinematographer: Jeff Hutchens. We were awestruck by the number of scenes where 12K, 5K and 3K lights burned revoltingly ugly holes in the picture.Image courtesy of Netflix. The Brothers Sun (2024). Cinematographers: C. Kim Miles and Andrew Mitchell. Miles boasts that he likes 20Ks and T12s pounding through windows, and it shows.Image courtesy of Netflix. The Recruit (2022). Cinematographers: Bernard Couture and Pierre Jodoin. It’s a shame all the repulsive, blown-out highlights weren’t caught during pre-production.Image courtesy of Netflix. The Perfect Couple (2024). Cinematographers: Roberto De Angelis, Shane Hurlbut. Who thought that placing a shapeless blob of clipped highlights smack-dab in the center of the frame was a good idea? “As a cinematographer, exposure is everything. It’s the foundation of your film’s look, the backbone of the story you’re telling. When it’s right, it’s magic.” – Shane Hurlbut.Image courtesy of Netflix. Chef’s Table (2015). Cinematographers: Adam Bricker, Will Basanta, Matthew Chavez and Chloe Weaver. Often cited as a model of HDR production, Chef’s Table is damaged by countless instances of disagreeable, blown-out highlights.Image courtesy of Netflix. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (2025). Massive blown-out highlights in the sky ruin an otherwise nice shot.Image courtesy of Netflix. Mindhunter (2019). Clipped highlights damage the intimacy of this bar scene, in which a conversation is meant to build the bond between Bill Tench and Bernie Drowatsky.
The Daejeon Chronicles 