I don’t know if this belongs here…but lets talk about grainy video

[NChaparro]

Recently, I posted about achieving dramatic lighting and some problems I was running into. I have been watching many videos with dramatic lighting (part of the face lit up, and the other part in shadow) What I have noticed is that in these videos. The shadow part is BLACK, very smooth and crisp. When I take video, the lit up part of my subjects face is good, but the dark side, is very grainy. How do I achieve this “crisp” distinction between light and dark, this absolute contrast? Do I do it in post, and if so how do I do it?

[Rob]

What kind of camera are you shooting with?

You want to use a camera that allows you to adjust the image manually so you can keep the Gain at 0dB. Boosting gain is what causes the image to get grainy, and a lot of consumer cameras do not let you control this function. So it will automatically boost the gain without your consent

Cameras with larger image sensors record less grain too.

[NChaparro]

I’m using a Canon GL2, can I manually adjust the gain on it?

[Rob]

Yea. I used to use that camera, so I know it allows for manual adjustments. And I know you can achieve dramatic lighting with it because I light dramatic lighting too. Here is an example:

[NChaparro]

Hmmm thats good to hear! Do you remember how to do it? I’m messing around with it, and I can’t quite figure it out.

[NChaparro]

Wait I figured it out…I will get back to you, hopefully this makes the blacks crisp!

[Author]

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