Lift, Gamma, Gain 

"It is also worth bearing in mind that the traditional lift, gamma, and gain operators are particularly unsuitable for acting on ST 2084 image data, where 0-1 represent zero to 10 000 cd/m2. Highlights, in particular, can swing uncontrollably into extreme values as a result of small changes. Modern grading systems offer alternate grading operators... Continue Reading →

Back to Basics

We're not gonna lie - it's great to be able to just hook up the SSD from the Ninja V and start grading the RAW files immediately in Final Cut Pro with no transcoding. Apart from using it to white balance our shots, we've ditched the bad old ColorChecker altogether. Color charts are made for... Continue Reading →

Adjusting Exposure in Final Cut Pro

I was just in the middle of doing yet more tests to determine the very best zebra settings for the a7s III when I came across this - arguably the single most important step toward getting vibrant, contrasty, High Dynamic Range images in Final Cut Pro - adjusting exposure. Simply pulling shadows down till they... Continue Reading →

HDR Grading Tips

My longest HDR video to date, it took Compressor a ridiculous 4-1/2 hours to create the HEVC 10-bit file and an additional 24 hours for YouTube to finish processing the HD version! I’ve received many requests to do an HDR grading tutorial on YouTube, but a screen recording with QuickTime would be in SDR with... Continue Reading →

ProRes 422 or HEVC?

In our untiring commitment to being the ultimate resource for those seeking factual information on uploading HDR videos to YouTube, we’ve added another comparison that aspires to settle the question: should you be transcoding XAVC S-I to HEVC or to ProRes 422 when uploading to YouTube? This 10-second clip took 83 seconds to finish processing... Continue Reading →

Big Sur: UltraStudio 4K Mini Glitchy

After installing Big Sur (at last, Safari 4K HDR!), the dreaded spinning beachball of doom appeared anytime I tried doing anything at all in Final Cut Pro 10.5. Unplugging my UltraStudio 4K Mini, things returned to normal, so I was certain the device was the culprit. I'd already updated to the latest 12.0 beta firmware,... Continue Reading →

Switching to Resolve!

After months of agonizing, I finally broke down and hired a professional calibration technician to adjust my LG OLED C7, calling the very first name that popped up in a Google search for Ho Chi Minh City. The price was steep - $300.00 - but the quest for perfect color has become a crazy obsession.... Continue Reading →

Say Your Goodbyes to SDR!

So basically, if you've got a camera that shoots RAW or LOG, for around the cost of the GH5s, you can get yourself a Ninja Flame or Inferno, a BMD UltraStudio Mini Monitor and the best 55" OLED TV on the market and begin creating and enjoying HDR videos that blow the socks off anything available today. What... Continue Reading →

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