First attempt at color correction problem

HalfDead wrote on 1/1/2004, 11:30 PM
I have just started to do my first edit where 2 cameras were involved. I have both clips correctly alligned on the timeline & by using the track motion tool I have set things up so that I can see both clips in the preview window. It was then my intention to add markers everytime I wished the final video to switch from one camera's view to the others.

From the preview screen it's immedieately obvious that the color of the two clips are very differance with one clip having a much more pleasing deep green color. What is the best way to make the 2 clips look the same? Do I use the color correction tool #1 or 2? If I take an eyedropper sample from one clip,can I & apply this setting to the other clip by then touching the same correscponding place on the other clip.

If it isn't done like this please advise.?

Comments

GaryKleiner wrote on 1/2/2004, 12:17 AM
First, pop the media into new video tracks so that you can see them full frame.

Find yourself a reference frame from the "good" camera and click on the Copy Snapshot to Clipboard icon at the top of the preview window. Then use the split screen function in the preview to compare the two cameras as you apply color correction (not from the secondary CC).

Gary
craftech wrote on 1/2/2004, 5:04 AM
You may have to take quite a few samples with the eyedropper to match it exactly. What seems like the same spot is often not EXACTLY the same spot even if you enlarge it.
Also, you won't absolutely know unless you render it first. Render a loop so you don't waste a lot of time. You also need an external monitor which is properly calibrated. If the end result is to be VHS hook up a VTR before the external monitor and run some VHS test samples. The black levels often take a beating when going to VHS as do colors such as red. Green shouldn't present much of a problem although black level can affect that color as well.

John
jeremyk wrote on 1/2/2004, 10:25 AM
Remember when sampling with the eyedropper you can click and drag the sample area into a rectangle. The color will be the average of the pixels in the rectangle. Single pixel samples are indeed problematical.
HalfDead wrote on 1/2/2004, 4:02 PM
I what sequence do I do this? Presumably I have to open the Color correction tool first when I have the bad color clip selected. Then drag out a rectangle on the section from the first good clip where I like the color. How do I then apply this then to the clip that I didn't like the color of?

I'm sort of assuming that you can do a sort of copy & paste of color when you have both clips dispalying in the preview window at once is this correct? I'm assuming that both the copy & paste can be done in the preview window.
BillyBoy wrote on 1/2/2004, 7:38 PM
Try these to answer some of your basic color correction questions.

http://www.wideopenwest.com/%7Ewvg/tutorial-menu.htm

For now you can just read. Hopefully in the near future when I find time I'll be converting all the tutorials to Flash and where possible make them interactive.