- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 3 weeks, 1 day ago by
.
-
Topic
-
I think that i asked something about contrast ratio time ago yet and if i remember correctly the general idea was that experienced cinematographers like you perhaps use more the eye and the instinct than a formal math formula. But for me is still an useful starting point.
Now, this said, i noticed that It’s easier for me to achieve a given contrast ratio by increasing the key light instead of decreasing the fill light with negative fill for example, then lowering the exposure in post production to achieve the right look. Since It’s a ratio Is the range between Key and fill that matters, and i would still obtain it (but i would need to correct It to obtain the right look of course) and i could control in a better way the noise in low Key scenes. Perhaps achieving the right ratio from the start directly in camera Is the best option, but as a decent alternative this approach seems easier to control (at least for me). Is it a good approach?
-
Replies
-
You’re talking about two separate things. Whether you get the key-to-fill ratio the way you want it by increasing the key versus lowering the fill is a separate issue from the overall exposure.
If you want to use more light in order to work at a lower ISO to reduce noise, or effectively do something similar by darkening an overexposed shot, that is up to you. If you are recording raw, then ISO is just metadata anyway but as you use more light and process it darker to compensate, you are exchanging overexposure headroom for better shadow detail with less noise.
At some point, especially if you aren’t recording raw, you have to factor in that as you overexpose skin tones on a digital camera, you may get some artifacts on some cameras if you go too far that will look odd once corrected down to normal. Highlights can pick up a color shift or clip unnaturally.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.