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Activity Forums Adobe After Effects black and white color-grading

  • black and white color-grading

    Posted by Daniel Martinez on September 19, 2007 at 7:14 am

    Hi,

    I’m doing a short-movie and due to the horrible colors on location and somewhat the artistic surgestion from the photographer,
    we decided to have the short in black and white.

    Now, I’m not asking how to desaturate the footage and adjust the levels.

    What I’m asking for is someone to share his/hers knowledge on how to make an interesting black and white “color-grading”,
    or to point me in a direction where to read about this niche.

    Thank you.
    Have a nice day.

    Daniel Martinez replied 18 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Steve Roberts

    September 19, 2007 at 10:22 am

    Try tint and adjust the *curves* to make an “S”. 😉

    Now you want it interesting? Try duping the footage layer, blurring the upper layer and setting it to “add” or “screen”. You’re limited though, in that you only have black & white, and you don’t want to lose detail in the highs and mids.

    Now you could crush the blacks. You could also crush both and go for a “Sin City” look with no colour, but you must light (and art-direct) for it on set, with hard shadows and lights placed so the lights and shadows show the 3D form. Squint when you’re placing the lights, and shoot at night.

    Anybody else?

  • Brendan Coots

    September 20, 2007 at 1:38 am

    If it were me I would apply the Exposure and Levels controls and adjust each to taste. The Exposure effect will allow you to affect the overall mood (blown out vs. inky black) and Levels will allow you to fine tune.

    As for tutorials or instruction on how to get certain looks, good luck. Black and white video/film work is rarely employed any more, and I’ve never seen any instruction on how to effectively employ it.

    Just use the tools mentioned above and use your artistic intuition.

  • Daniel Martinez

    September 21, 2007 at 9:04 am

    Thank you for the help.

    Much appreciated!

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