{"id":7379,"date":"2012-05-08T02:14:52","date_gmt":"2012-05-08T07:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mediastorm.com\/blog\/?p=7379"},"modified":"2012-05-16T14:22:48","modified_gmt":"2012-05-16T19:22:48","slug":"mediastorm-guide-to-basic-color-correction-in-final-cut-pro-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mediastorm.com\/blog\/2012\/05\/08\/mediastorm-guide-to-basic-color-correction-in-final-cut-pro-7\/","title":{"rendered":"MediaStorm Guide to Basic Color Correction in Final Cut Pro 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Color correction can dramatically alter the look of your footage. With just a few steps, you can transform washed out video into vibrant and rich imagery.<\/p>\n

In most instances, color correction is best left for the end of the editing process. There are two reasons for this. First, there\u2019s no need to correct footage until you know for certain it will be in the final project. Second, color correction often requires rendering, which can slow editing down to a standstill.<\/p>\n

Setting Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In Final Cut 7\u2019s Window<\/strong> menu, select Arrange>Color Correction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In the Timeline<\/strong>, select<\/strong> the video track that you\u2019d like to color correct.<\/p>\n

From the Effects<\/strong> menu, choose<\/strong> Video Filters>Color Correction>Color Corrector 3-way<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can also drag<\/strong> the effect from the Effects <\/strong>window (command-5)<\/strong> and drop it on the clip.<\/p>\n

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Double-click\u00a0<\/strong> the video clip containing the effect to open it in the Viewer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Click<\/strong> the Visual<\/strong> button to open the 3-way Color Corrector.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n(Sometimes you might discover that your Canvas<\/strong> does not update to reflect your color changes. If this happens you need to confirm that you\u2019re working on the right file. To do this, double-click <\/strong>your video file in the Timeline <\/strong>once again. Then, open<\/strong> the Color Corrector 3-way <\/strong>tab. You will now be able to see any changes you make in the Canvas<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n

Open<\/strong> Tools>Video Scopes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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In the left top corner make sure Layout<\/strong> is set to Waveform.<\/strong> This is the best monitor for viewing luminance values. <\/p>\n

On the top left side of the Waveform monitor, click the small button with a histogram to reveal the Display Brightness Slider.<\/strong> Drag the slider to the right to reveal additional luminance values in the Waveform scope. <\/p>\n

Luminance values are a measure of the amount of light in an image. In Final Cut\u2019s waveform monitor, luminance values are represented by tiny white dots. By dragging the display brightness slider, you\u2019re able to see more of the luminance values in the image. <\/p>\n

Correcting Luminance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Waveform monitor measures light. It does not evaluate color. Your white luminance values are at the top of the Waveform monitor. At the bottom are the black luminance values.<\/p>\n

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Black Levels<\/h3>\n

First make sure your black levels are correct. To achieve this, in the Color Corrector 3-way<\/strong>, click<\/strong> the left arrow <\/strong>of the black level slider.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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As you do so, you\u2019ll notice that the lines in the Waveform monitor move closer to the the black line.<\/p>\n

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You want the Waveform lines to barely touch the bottom\u00a0black bar so that your image has a “true black.” If you\u2019d like to “crush” the black colors further, continue to move the black slider<\/strong> to the left.<\/strong> Watch the Canvas for reference.<\/p>\n

Click<\/strong>\u00a0the right arrow<\/strong> to decrease your blacks, or shadows.<\/p>\n

You can also drag<\/strong> the slider button<\/strong> for quicker, less incremental changes.<\/p>\n

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White Levels<\/h3>\n

After you\u2019ve set your black levels, do the same with your white levels.<\/p>\n

Follow the above steps again, this time using the white slider<\/strong>. To increase the whites, click<\/strong> the right arrow<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Unlike your black levels, it\u2019s not necessary for your whites to reach the white line on the Waveform monitor. Instead, raise them until the highlights are slightly overexposed, then pull back.<\/p>\n

To avoid clipping, make sure your white levels do not exceed 90 percent<\/strong>\u00a0in the Waveform monitor.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may notice that as you increase your white luminance values, the black luminance values begin to rise. If so, you should readjust the black, then the white values, in turn, to achieve the right setting.<\/p>\n

Mid Levels<\/h3>\n

Finally, use the same steps as outlined for the black and white levels to adjust your mid levels. Adjust to taste. MediaStorm tends to correct with darker mid levels.<\/p>\n

To recap:<\/strong><\/p>\n