adjusting some "levels"

wwjd wrote on 1/10/2016, 9:42 AM
so I mess with that free plugin SEMW AUTO LEVELS and it is cool, but jumps about a lot (Auto) when the scene changes. It does good raising the levels in the upper part of the brightness, but I can't seem to duplicate that with BRIGHT/CONTRAST nor the LEVELS sony plugin. Should I be looking at CURVES to raise up just the mid and upper highs? also trying to keep from blowing out the top, of course

I guess I am trying to duplicate the AUTO LEVELS effect manually, so it is controllable rather than Auto.

Comments

wwaag wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:41 AM
Should I be looking at CURVES to raise up just the mid and upper highs? also trying to keep from blowing out the top, of course

In my view, Yes. This should be your Fx of choice. It works much the same as curves in Photoshop for still images. I routinely add a little contrast by applying a mild s-shaped curve and then make adjustments from there in concert with the waveform monitor. You can also make adjustments to the individual channels as wells. I must admit it does a bit of time to learn to use this Fx, but once mastered (still a distant goal for me), it's a very powerful tool for color grading within Vegas. I only use the Levels Fx for levels conversions (e.g. studio to computer RGB) or to make initial conversions to full scale in the event your camera only shoots a limited range (e.g. 16 to 255).

wwaag

AKA the HappyOtter at https://tools4vegas.com/. System 1: Intel i7-8700k with HD 630 graphics plus an Nvidia RTX4070 graphics card. System 2: Intel i7-3770k with HD 4000 graphics plus an AMD RX550 graphics card. System 3: Laptop. Dell Inspiron Plus 16. Intel i7-11800H, Intel Graphics. Current cameras include Panasonic FZ2500, GoPro Hero11 and Hero8 Black plus a myriad of smartPhone, pocket cameras, video cameras and film cameras going back to the original Nikon S.

wwjd wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:47 AM
Thanks wwaag. So, if I set curves on RGB (all at once) and set points and drags up the middle/middle upper, with that raise the mids and highs bright like I want without blowing out?

Just discovered if I raise GAMMA, it pulls the darks up nicely if needed... I need a "GAMMA" for the high half only. Maybe I am missing it?
musicvid10 wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:47 AM
wwag is correct, but tread lightly.

wwaag wrote on 1/10/2016, 12:07 PM
@wwjd

Suggest you take some time and watch this excellent tutorial on color correction. https://vimeo.com/24334195 It details different methods that includes the use of curves. It's an excellent introduction IMHO.

wwaag

AKA the HappyOtter at https://tools4vegas.com/. System 1: Intel i7-8700k with HD 630 graphics plus an Nvidia RTX4070 graphics card. System 2: Intel i7-3770k with HD 4000 graphics plus an AMD RX550 graphics card. System 3: Laptop. Dell Inspiron Plus 16. Intel i7-11800H, Intel Graphics. Current cameras include Panasonic FZ2500, GoPro Hero11 and Hero8 Black plus a myriad of smartPhone, pocket cameras, video cameras and film cameras going back to the original Nikon S.

NickHope wrote on 1/10/2016, 9:23 PM
Curves in Vegas are fiddly, but ultimately give you more control than other methods.

You really should use them in conjunction with video scopes at all times, so you know the exact effect they're having, especially in terms of your white and black points.

Try to achieve what you want with as few control points as possible. Typically I will use a control point at 16 and 235-240 to control the white and black points, and then on the curvy part I only ever use one point at each end, and control the shape of the curve with the length and direction of the tangent. That makes for smooth results. You shouldn't have to add extra points on the curvy part except in extreme circumstances. It's very easy to make a mess and get banding or other weird results if you do that.

Here's an extreme example I used to correct some overly dark, reddish footage:



I really wish SCS would improve the usability of curves, or someone write a plugin. More examples and my improvement wishlist here.
musicvid10 wrote on 1/10/2016, 9:40 PM
TBH, I'll try gamma first, then switch to curves if I don't get the control I want.

Grazie wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:23 PM
Nick, your sample isn't revealed/showing on my iPad?

G
NickHope wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:42 PM
No problem here in Firefox on PC. Blame Apple ;)
Grazie wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:49 PM
Still nothing on iPad.

G
Grazie wrote on 1/11/2016, 12:28 PM
Just installed FF for iPad. Got your PNG.

g