Jump to content
Lowepost

Tools for mathematical, scientific work with color


Pablo Thiermann

Recommended Posts

Hey everyone,

I've been grading my own films and projects for some years now and I have become quite proficient in shaping my footage so it looks quite alright and stands out to people that aren't in the field. I'm by no means an expert of course.

More and more, I've become really interested in the mathematical and scientific part of color grading and color science. People like Steve Yedlin, and the stuff he writes in his blogposts are intriguing me. 

I've searched through several forums and looked it up online extensively, but couldn't find any real information or resources on how to learn more about that direction of becoming a color scientist. What I wonder most of all is this: What software tools do the real hardcore color scientists use? Do they exclusively write them themselves?

I'd love to hear from you guys. 

Thanks, Pablo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you work in Resolve? If so you might try getting into DCTLs to develop mathematical functions and custom tools to affect footage to your liking.

Also look up Cullen Kelly on YouTube,  he goes in depth into color management & color science in his videos and livestreams.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some books you can check out in order to learn more about color science:

VES: "Cinematic Color" (free 52-page white paper)

https://github.com/jeremyselan/cinematiccolor/blob/master/ves/Cinematic_Color_VES.pdf

"Color & Mastering for Digital Cinema"

by Glenn Kennel

https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Digital-Cinema-Industry-Handbook/dp/0240808746

 

"Digital Cinematography: Fundamentals, Techniques, & Workflows"

by David Stump

https://www.amazon.com/Capturing-Shot-Fundamentals-Techniques-Cinematography-dp-0240817915/dp/0240817915

 

"Color Reproduction in Electronic Imaging Systems"

by Michael Tooms

https://www.amazon.com/Colour-Reproduction-Electronic-Imaging-Systems/dp/1119021766

 

"Digital Video and HD: Algorithms and Interfaces"

by Charles Poynton

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Video-HD-Algorithms-Interfaces/dp/0123919266

 

"The Reproduction of Colour"

by Dr. R.W.G. Hunt

https://www.amazon.com/Reproduction-Colour-R-W-Hunt/dp/0470024259

 

"Color Mania: The Material of Color in Photography and Film"

by Barbara Flückiger

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Mania-Material-Photography-Film/dp/3037786078

 

"Colour Cinematograph"

by Adrian Cornwell-Clyne

Chapman & Hall

https://www.amazon.com/COLOUR-CINEMATOGRAPHE-Third-Revised-enlarged/dp/B000GU30WE

 

The best book on Film Lab color-correction I've ever read is this one:

 

"Film Technology in Post Production"

by Dominic Case

https://www.amazon.com/Film-Technology-Production-Media-Manuals/dp/0240516508

 

The latter explains how film was color graded in the laboratory prior to television and digital. Some of the basic principles still apply today.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Marc Wielage said:

"Digital Cinematography: Fundamentals, Techniques, & Workflows"

by David Stump

https://www.amazon.com/Capturing-Shot-Fundamentals-Techniques-Cinematography-dp-0240817915/dp/0240817915

 

 

Looks like a new edition of this GREAT book will be released soon...
https://www.amazon.com/-/pt/dp-1138603864/dp/1138603864/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Edited by Ivan Oliveira
Sorry, pressed ok before write my lines
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...