Automated colour correction

[Scubbie]

I'm looking at doing a video project over a few years. The raw material will be recorded in a variety of environments and colour correction is going to be an issue.

One idea I've seen is the use of a 24 colour card such as on the Amazon link below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004QXU8VI

Looking at some videos where it is demonstrated, there is a plug-in for some other video editing software. You hold this card next to the subject at the beginning of the shoot, then using the video editing suite select the card in the shot, align it correctly and click to correct the white and and colour balance.

I was wondering if there is something similar available for VideoStudio or perhaps Pinnacle?

[asik1]

well, this card is mainly used for stills, are you going to shoot locked shots?
VideoStudio has dozen different tools for some type of colour correction but still this is a sub100$ S/W...
No auto method will ever be as good as a pro color grader.
your basic solution is to shoot correctly with the camera.

[Scubbie]

Thank you asik1 for your response.

Yes I agree that getting all the settings right first time is important. As much as this will be the aim of the camera operator, there are some potential issues and I'd like to see if I can address them before they become an issue.

As I've mentioned above the different pieces will be recorded in a wide range of environments and this could be an issue over the course of the project. As an example some will be recorded in a studio setting, some outside on a sunny beech, some in a local town (weather dependent on the day) and a few more shots will be taken on the water. This is just a small sample of locations. Each has its own lighting issues.

I am familiar with the VS white balance and colour correction tools. The white balance can be automated, which is going to be well used, but the colour balance appears to be manual unless you are looking for an effect.

As an example, some recent work that was challenging included some underwater footage. As it was recorded on different dives the background colour varied in hues of green, turquoise and blue. I've managed to get most of them to a similar shade but there are differences.

[Ron P.]

How big of a production is this going to be? Will there be a separate lighting crew? What sort of lights for studio, outdoors, ect? The lighting can make or break a production, so having expertise in that field is crucial.
Next here is a color checker that is for video work. Xrite Colorchecker Passport Video, or this X-Rite i1 Filmmaker Kit. For my still photography I use one for still photography. Also you might entertain getting one of these, Sekonic L-758 Cine-U Digital Master Light Meter.

Just from a stills view point, using a white-balance card, color-balance, and light meters, saves you a lot of headaches and time in post-production. For film/cinematography those tools are pricey, but would be money well invested.

FWIW, since you posted a link from Amazon, the store (B&H Photovideo, based in New York City), uses Amazon also. Amazon is a fulfillment center that numerous retailers use in today's on-line market. So if your concerned about buying from B&H direct, you can use Amazon. I have purchased a lot of equipment from them and Adorama.com. Both are actual brick and mortar stores in New York and New Jersey. Their stores and inventory is beyond huge. Customer service is top of the line. You could walk into either one of them a millionaire and walk out nearly bankrupt, but with a lot of toys..

[Scubbie]

Thank you for your response Ron P.

Yes this is the kind of thing that I'm looking at. I was hoping that it could be a plug-in for VS or Pinnacle Studio.

The production will be within a club for a project. The club isn't a video or photography group, but many members are very adept at using both in the environments that we'll be working in for this project. Forgive me for being a little cagey with the details as some of them are sensitive at this time.

The range of expertise within the club does include a professional photographer who has recorded underwater video in the past. Previous work has been published in the press and used in documentaries with professional production companies.

As for crewing, I do realise that we are going to need to get a small crew for some of the video work. Some previous work within the club was rushed through and the audio, for example, is poor. They only used the mic on the camera or a shotgun mic and you can barely hear the person talking. With this in mind I know we are going to need a small team to watch various aspects of each shoot. We are looking at using a variety of different kit not previously used within the club for any similar project.

At the same time there will be plenty of B-Roll footage to complement the story. This would be used to illustrate what a person is discussing and could be as simple as showing the landscape or something more specific.

As much as I would personally love to be present at all the different locations, I know that this won't be possible. In house training is possible and automating as much as possible will reduce the later headaches. Getting people to use this card could be a real benefit.

The time frame for the project is expected to run over several years.

P.S. I'm using Amazon at this stage purely as a reference.

[asik1]

"The time frame for the project is expected to run over several years"
Lets hope VS XXX will be slightly better then.

[Scubbie]

"The time frame for the project is expected to run over several years"
Lets hope VS XXX will be slightly better then.

Absolutely.

The intention is that we'll be releasing various short videos during the course of the project. It would help to have some form of consistency or a method of being able to go back over the earlier footage towards the end of the project for the final release.

[asik1]

If this is project of any importance and has budget you better jump over the ~100$ and get other S/W.
You also will need a 179TB NAS.

[Scubbie]

There is a budget and suitable kit is being priced up.

I would prefer not to restart the learning curve with a completely new product. VS and Pinnacle should help us to achieve the goal without too many headaches. As for NAS, that's already in hand but 179TB is a little OTT.