shooting black & white at DVinfo.net

David Watkins · February 3rd, 2008, 11:12 AM

Hi

Haven't tried this before but I want to shoot an atmospheric big-sky landscape in black and white in film effect using a Canon xl1s

Should I shoot with the camera set at 16:9 or configure it to 16:9 when I edit it?

Should I adjust ( increase ) the sharpness as a custom preset on the camera
as well as using a higher f stop ( light may not be good )

Any suggestions for filter/s to increase contrast

Cheers

David

Austen Mathieson · February 3rd, 2008, 11:43 AM

I would say never shoot in black and white. retain all info and desaturate in post.

It depends what look you want as to sharpness. If you want a film look you want less sharpness not more.

I shoot in 16:9, but some people say not to because you lose 20% (for example) or pixel info BUT BUT BUT if you shoot in 4:3 and crop it to 16:9 in post you still lose (crop) 20%. So Easier to just shoot in 16:9.

I like to slightly overexpose clouds as it gives a nice deep contrast when correcting gamma/curves/brightness etc. NEVER shoot anything too dark under any circumstances.

Waldemar Winkler · February 3rd, 2008, 05:54 PM

Every time I have shot in 16x9 mode with my XL1s the images always look soft, ever so slightly out of focus. It is really annoying when I want tack sharp images. Maybe it is me, but I have stopped shooting in 16x9.

Has anyone had similar experiences with focus?

Austen Mathieson · February 4th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Hi, Here's a link to a couple of my vids shot on xl1s, two music videos, DARK ENTRIES in 4:3 and FOUND in 16:9, FOUND sharpness fully off or full softness in 16:9 which, yes, does slightly soften the image also but you can see the image isn't too soft, somtimes I add blur to close ups to get even softer images.

The short film SERENDIPITY was NOT shot on xl1s, it was old crappy vhs or something. Ignore that one.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoID=18086589

David Watkins · February 6th, 2008, 03:29 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, think I'll shoot as normal and have a play when editing,

February 3rd, 2008, 11:12 AM	#1
David Watkins Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leeds UK Posts: 43	shooting black & white Hi Haven't tried this before but I want to shoot an atmospheric big-sky landscape in black and white in film effect using a Canon xl1s Should I shoot with the camera set at 16:9 or configure it to 16:9 when I edit it? Should I adjust ( increase ) the sharpness as a custom preset on the camera as well as using a higher f stop ( light may not be good ) Any suggestions for filter/s to increase contrast Cheers David

February 3rd, 2008, 05:54 PM	#3
Waldemar Winkler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Posts: 711	Every time I have shot in 16x9 mode with my XL1s the images always look soft, ever so slightly out of focus. It is really annoying when I want tack sharp images. Maybe it is me, but I have stopped shooting in 16x9. Has anyone had similar experiences with focus? __________________ Waldemar

February 3rd, 2008, 11:43 AM	#2
Austen Mathieson New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 17	I would say never shoot in black and white. retain all info and desaturate in post. It depends what look you want as to sharpness. If you want a film look you want less sharpness not more. I shoot in 16:9, but some people say not to because you lose 20% (for example) or pixel info BUT BUT BUT if you shoot in 4:3 and crop it to 16:9 in post you still lose (crop) 20%. So Easier to just shoot in 16:9. I like to slightly overexpose clouds as it gives a nice deep contrast when correcting gamma/curves/brightness etc. NEVER shoot anything too dark under any circumstances.

February 4th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#4
Austen Mathieson New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 17	Hi, Here's a link to a couple of my vids shot on xl1s, two music videos, DARK ENTRIES in 4:3 and FOUND in 16:9, FOUND sharpness fully off or full softness in 16:9 which, yes, does slightly soften the image also but you can see the image isn't too soft, somtimes I add blur to close ups to get even softer images. The short film SERENDIPITY was NOT shot on xl1s, it was old crappy vhs or something. Ignore that one. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoID=18086589

February 6th, 2008, 03:29 AM	#5
David Watkins Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leeds UK Posts: 43	Thanks for the advice guys, think I'll shoot as normal and have a play when editing,