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Shooting in snow
I have this problem with video and still photography in the winter. Flat light and high contrast between snow and subject. I play with levels to pump up the shadows and pull down the highlights to get more detail but in the end the images lack the “pop” you get on a normal sunny day. I usually end up going with black and white because I feel the overall look is better. Are there any good in camera settings I should be using or are these things better dealt with in post like I’m trying to do? And what are the best ways to get more life in a lifeless image? I have Vegas 11 and the Boris BCC8 tools to work with. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about – this was filmed with my Sony NX5U in 720/60p mode and auto exposure/speed settings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NsVHVGlSw8—————
My Hardware:
Core i7 2.67GHz; Nvidia GTX580, 12 gig RAM Win7 64bit.My Software:
Vegas Pro V11 with Boris Continuum Complete 8, VASST Ultimate S; Bluff Titler; AE5; PhotoPaint and other stuff.Some contents or functionalities here are not available due to your cookie preferences!This happens because the functionality/content marked as “Google Youtube” uses cookies that you choosed to keep disabled. In order to view this content or use this functionality, please enable cookies: click here to open your cookie preferences.
replied 13 years, 3 months ago 5 Members · 7 Replies
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7 Replies
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I can certainly tell you that Magic Bullet Looks 2 can
harness that particular color depth and pop that you need
back into your flat winter shots.
Forget the hype surrounding it, its a versatile toolset to invest in.Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
https://www.facebook.com/FilmexCreativeMedia
1-876-832-4956 -
Hi James,
You need to turn off the auto setting on the camera and test some filters in manual until you find a sweet spot for the particular camera. I have used a selection of ND, and graduated filters in the past and it has worked well. Shooting in manual with an ND filter really helps reduce the flatness of the image and allows you more control. Graduated takes care of the sky so it does not wash out. I would also try to shoot later in the day-you get a nicer sun.
You really have to do some test shots and make notes as to what worked with your camera. Hope this helps. -
Just found a great link that covers winter camera settings in depth:
https://www.videomaker.com/videonews/2012/12/shadows-and-light-20-video-tips-for-shooting-in-the-snow -
Agree with Colin. Getting it “right” optically, at the get-go will enhance any postprod you can use to adjust for a further “pop”.
I use a combo of NDs and a Polarizer to tame the optics. If you are to use Grads be very, very careful with that horizon making an unfortunate artificial horizontal line through your work. I might also make a plea for a Black Mist filter for those confused Tree/Forest contrasts.
I love my optical filters, and use them at every opportunity I can to learn and explore their optical value.
Grazie
Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge -
As stated, the time of day can have a big impact. The ‘magic hour’ as Terrence Malick calls it.
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Thanks for all the inputs. Avoiding flat images in camera and with time of day (when you have a choice) is good planning. But when the images are in the can it’s the post production work I’ll need to work on. I’ll look into Magic Bullet. Do any of the BCC or VASST Ultimate S tools do what Magic Bullet does?
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My Hardware:
Core i7 2.67GHz; Nvidia GTX580, 12 gig RAM Win7 64bit.My Software:
Vegas Pro V11 with Boris Continuum Complete 8, VASST Ultimate S; Bluff Titler; AE5; PhotoPaint and other stuff. -
Do any of the BCC or VASST Ultimate S tools do what Magic Bullet does?
Not entirely, Looks 2 is more versatile and in depth where color
processing and manipulation is concerned.
Using only the three way color corrector in it will surprise you.
Although the 3 way color corrector in Boris Red is also good.Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
https://www.facebook.com/FilmexCreativeMedia
1-876-832-4956
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