Made my own DIY Warm Cards at DVinfo.net

Brian Boyko · September 10th, 2008, 12:57 PM

I made my own DIY Warm Cards by simply printing up some 8x10s I made in Adobe Photoshop off at the local Costco on Lustre (glare-reduced) paper. Cost me about $15 in total for two sets.

Here's a quick test shot: DIY Warm Cards Test on Vimeo

What do you guys think?

M. Paul El-Darwish · September 10th, 2008, 10:46 PM

Good Job. I like your idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Boyko

I made my own DIY Warm Cards by simply printing up some 8x10s I made in Adobe Photoshop off at the local Costco on Lustre (glare-reduced) paper. Cost me about $15 in total for two sets.

Here's a quick test shot: DIY Warm Cards Test on Vimeo

What do you guys think?

Seth Bloombaum · September 11th, 2008, 08:28 AM

Great idea!

The main problem with home-made warm cards is variable printer performance. Printing out at a photo service *should* take care of that, allowing greater standardization.

I say "should" because the photo operators have user controls and there are also some auto controls that can affect HSL. But only a photo that needs it should be getting adjustments, and for the most part, they only look at the enlargements. Of course, with an enlargement you could request "No color corrections".

The quad-split in your video is probably the most revealing. The scene is somewhat uninteresting, color-wise... but that is where warm cards may help.

I purchased the basic commercial set a few years ago. Tell the truth, I haven't used it much. The small ones are always in the camera bag, though, and that's been essential a couple of times when shooting under horrible stadium or parking lot lights. Not exactly sure which lights (sodium vapor? mercury pressure?), but I couldn't otherwise get an acceptable white balance. The cards were very helpful.

Otherwise, I'm usually doing a standard white, but there are some tweaks in my usual picture profile (color +3, phase +1, cinematone on) that warm slightly. (Sony HVR-V1U)

Many places to touch the color, but white balance has its advantages.

Shaun Roemich · September 11th, 2008, 09:15 AM

Again, great idea Brian.

The first "white balanced" video certainly WASN'T white balanced, at least acceptably by my standards. Too much spill from the window that wasn't accounted for when white balancing. Occasionally we find ourselves in situations where we really CAN'T control light spill and any warm cards will certainly make a difference and KUDOS to you for doing it "on the cheap".

As well, thanks for including the spectral percentages for those who would like to recreate your handiwork.

September 10th, 2008, 12:57 PM	#1
Brian Boyko Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 773	Made my own DIY Warm Cards I made my own DIY Warm Cards by simply printing up some 8x10s I made in Adobe Photoshop off at the local Costco on Lustre (glare-reduced) paper. Cost me about $15 in total for two sets. Here's a quick test shot: DIY Warm Cards Test on Vimeo What do you guys think? __________________ Equip: Panny GH1, Canon HG20, Juicedlink, AT897, Sennh. EW/GW100, Zoom H2, Vegas 8.1

September 11th, 2008, 09:15 AM	#4
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Again, great idea Brian. The first "white balanced" video certainly WASN'T white balanced, at least acceptably by my standards. Too much spill from the window that wasn't accounted for when white balancing. Occasionally we find ourselves in situations where we really CAN'T control light spill and any warm cards will certainly make a difference and KUDOS to you for doing it "on the cheap". As well, thanks for including the spectral percentages for those who would like to recreate your handiwork. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 11th, 2008, 08:28 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Great idea! The main problem with home-made warm cards is variable printer performance. Printing out at a photo service should take care of that, allowing greater standardization. I say "should" because the photo operators have user controls and there are also some auto controls that can affect HSL. But only a photo that needs it should be getting adjustments, and for the most part, they only look at the enlargements. Of course, with an enlargement you could request "No color corrections". The quad-split in your video is probably the most revealing. The scene is somewhat uninteresting, color-wise... but that is where warm cards may help. I purchased the basic commercial set a few years ago. Tell the truth, I haven't used it much. The small ones are always in the camera bag, though, and that's been essential a couple of times when shooting under horrible stadium or parking lot lights. Not exactly sure which lights (sodium vapor? mercury pressure?), but I couldn't otherwise get an acceptable white balance. The cards were very helpful. Otherwise, I'm usually doing a standard white, but there are some tweaks in my usual picture profile (color +3, phase +1, cinematone on) that warm slightly. (Sony HVR-V1U) Many places to touch the color, but white balance has its advantages.