Video Filtering Suggestions

JaysonHolovacs wrote on 6/17/2004, 9:17 AM
As a newbie, I was wondering if anyone could give me suggestions on Vegas effects to use to improve video in the following cases. I prefer it if I can do it with the built in effects rather than installling/learning external tools.

1. I have video shot indoors on a boat with very bright sunlight backlighting many of the subjects. I need a way to tone down the stark contrast of the scene and hopefully provide a little better detail on the subjects.

2. I have some underwater shots that as will be expected lose color quickly with respect to distance due to the nature of water. What can be used to add a little vibrancy to the video without making it look strange?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 6/17/2004, 9:23 AM
1 - Color Curves. You can adjust the slope of the curve to bring the extremes closer together and stretch out the detail in the darker areas. Play a bit and you'll be amazed what you can do.

2 - HSL filter. Add a bit of extra saturation, but not much. If you add too much then the grey areas will suddenly come alive with blocks of psychadelic colors.
DVDeviations wrote on 6/20/2004, 2:08 AM
I am a newbie at this stuff also, (and I know that Chienworks usually has good advice on this site). But I have dealt with the same (#1) backlighting issue (videotaping of my waterski/wakeboarding trips with friends). The sun is so intense on the Colorado River in the summer.... Anyway, here's something I have tried and have had some interesting results: 1) I copy the clip; 2) I open a new instance of Vegas(better to experiment in a different project than the original; 3) I paste the clip to a video track;
4) I paste a second copy of the clip to a second video clip so that I have two copies of the same video clip perfectly aligned with each other; 5) (I think I usually make the second video clip a composite child of the first clip at this point), but this is something you can experiment with. 6) Now experiment with the color correction settings that Chienworks mentioned (place the color correction settings on the top track (at least I think - I am getting a little sleepy right now!). Also, experiment with the "compositing mode" button on the top track, try different settings. Mixed in with this, I also experiment with the opacity on each of the tracks.

**You may not get the exact look you are looking for, but it can make some really cool effects(i.e. waterski spray [generated by the waterskiier] looks like red "fire"). Once I am done with this, I usually render as .avi file and import back into my Vegas or you can replicate the process in your original project.