Saturated, crushed black look at DVinfo.net

Gary Badgley · February 14th, 2011, 04:09 PM

Hi

As I wade through the posts, Ash Greyson has provided the settings for a Crushed black look. There is no explanation as to what this look is. I don´t have a clue. Could someone please describe what this look is?

Thks,

Gary

Gabe Spangler · February 15th, 2011, 12:21 AM

This is when the blacks are really black, effectively losing all the detail in the dark areas of the image. I personally think this screams video and makes the image look more cartoonish and flat. This is easily achieved in post. It's alway best to shoot with as much dynamic range (as much detail in dark and light areas of the image) as possible and achieve the look you want in post. Once you crush the blacks in camera, you can never have them back. Crushing them a bit in post is easy and you have more control over it, and it's reversible. Stay away from these extreme camera settings. You'll thank me later....

Gary Badgley · February 15th, 2011, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the info!

Michele Coser · February 17th, 2011, 02:50 AM

In my opinion this is not true.

Well, you can shoot flat, and change contrast/colors/whatever in post, but you can't reach the same result that you can get using a custom preset. At least this is what i experienced, especially with night/low light situations.
Two years ago i shot a 45 min "short", the director did not trust me and wanted to shoot flat and color corrected in post. In the end, when it was screened at a theater with some other videos he was'nt happy because our work did not look good as the others.... the blacks wheren't blacks but noisy grey.

So, most of the time i use a preset. In case i'm not sure, i spoke with the director (or who hired me) and ask if he like this way.
But the best thing is that you try by yourself the diffrence and see if you can get the same result.

Gabe Spangler · February 19th, 2011, 04:14 AM

I have to wholeheartedly disagree. Just my opinion.

Michele Coser · February 19th, 2011, 05:24 AM

In fact... the best thing is to try and see what process give the best results.

Gabe Spangler · February 22nd, 2011, 12:53 AM

Further, I have to say I am also against the "super flat" settings, as well – the settings, mostly popular on DSLRs, that push the image beyond a normal flat setting. I think they introduce as many problems as shooting super contrasty.

February 14th, 2011, 04:09 PM	#1
Gary Badgley Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 42	Saturated, crushed black look Hi As I wade through the posts, Ash Greyson has provided the settings for a Crushed black look. There is no explanation as to what this look is. I don´t have a clue. Could someone please describe what this look is? Thks, Gary

February 15th, 2011, 11:10 AM	#3
Gary Badgley Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 42	Saturated, crushed black look. Thanks for the info!

February 22nd, 2011, 12:53 AM	#7
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	Re: Saturated, crushed black look Further, I have to say I am also against the "super flat" settings, as well – the settings, mostly popular on DSLRs, that push the image beyond a normal flat setting. I think they introduce as many problems as shooting super contrasty.

February 15th, 2011, 12:21 AM	#2
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	This is when the blacks are really black, effectively losing all the detail in the dark areas of the image. I personally think this screams video and makes the image look more cartoonish and flat. This is easily achieved in post. It's alway best to shoot with as much dynamic range (as much detail in dark and light areas of the image) as possible and achieve the look you want in post. Once you crush the blacks in camera, you can never have them back. Crushing them a bit in post is easy and you have more control over it, and it's reversible. Stay away from these extreme camera settings. You'll thank me later....

February 17th, 2011, 02:50 AM	#4
Michele Coser Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Parma - Italy Posts: 91	In my opinion this is not true. Well, you can shoot flat, and change contrast/colors/whatever in post, but you can't reach the same result that you can get using a custom preset. At least this is what i experienced, especially with night/low light situations. Two years ago i shot a 45 min "short", the director did not trust me and wanted to shoot flat and color corrected in post. In the end, when it was screened at a theater with some other videos he was'nt happy because our work did not look good as the others.... the blacks wheren't blacks but noisy grey. So, most of the time i use a preset. In case i'm not sure, i spoke with the director (or who hired me) and ask if he like this way. But the best thing is that you try by yourself the diffrence and see if you can get the same result.

February 19th, 2011, 04:14 AM	#5
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	I have to wholeheartedly disagree. Just my opinion.

February 19th, 2011, 05:24 AM	#6
Michele Coser Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Parma - Italy Posts: 91	In fact... the best thing is to try and see what process give the best results.