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Cloudy day/flat light settings

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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
Where I live it just happens to always be cloudy and flat light. I'm wondering what settings I should be using to get the most quality out of the snow and get a wider range of color from clothing and just anything in general. I'm filming on a Canon t3i with magic lantern. I've got ND2 ND4 ND8 and Haze 1x filters so what would be the best combo?
Jan 23 2015 6:53AM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
I'd like to know too. Every day of this season in Duluth has been cloudy and gloomy I swear.
Jan 23 2015 10:35AM
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KellyK
Posts: 1782 - Karma: 715
boomieI'd like to know too. Every day of this season in Duluth has been cloudy and gloomy I swear.


Haha welcome to Duluth. Every day of every season is cloudy and gloomy.

First of all, you're not going to want to use those filters. ND's allow you to step your aperture down on a sunny day by darkening the image. Not what you want on a cloudy day.

My advice, shoot for contrast. If the subject is wearing neutral colors (gray/brown/tan) they're going to get lost in the greyness. Reds, greens, and even dark black can be cranked to stand out.

I shoot with Magic Lantern and Cinemascope picture profile. I step my aperture down to maintain a higher shutter speed. In post I fix my levels and up my saturation to make my colors tastefully pop.

Hope that helps.
Jan 23 2015 2:19PM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
Flat profile to avoid loosing too much details with crushed black or whites, and then like mentionend above work the shots in post to make the colors pop. IMO when it's really flat light there's no magic formula, just make sure you're not under or over exposed and do your best in post.
Jan 23 2015 2:35PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
outaouais_reppinFlat profile to avoid loosing too much details with crushed black or whites, and then like mentionend above work the shots in post to make the colors pop. IMO when it's really flat light there's no magic formula, just make sure you're not under or over exposed and do your best in post.


That's my problem. I get the sky looking perfect then the snow is overexposed and vice versa. Should I just shoot on auto and let my camera take care of it? I'm not a guy that every shoots on auto but if I need to, I will.



Shootout to Duluth weather for being shit on everyday that anyone wants to film.
Jan 23 2015 5:36PM
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PeteMahn
Posts: 1316 - Karma: 3,363
https://www.newschoolers.com/watch/750569.0/-mooth-2?c=11

Edit I just put up with all flat light. Liked the way the contrast came out.
Jan 23 2015 5:37PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
Are there any filters that help with flat light?
Jan 24 2015 3:48AM
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edai
Posts: 4990 - Karma: 4,677
Don't shoot on auto, that'll be a disaster.

Maybe a polarizer? I've got one and used it to film my last edit because i was the having the same issue you are, it made a small difference, but i definitely will need to do some work in post to raise contrast and saturation to a degree. i think thats all it is homie.
Jan 24 2015 7:39AM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
CameraWizThat's my problem. I get the sky looking perfect then the snow is overexposed and vice versa. Should I just shoot on auto and let my camera take care of it? I'm not a guy that every shoots on auto but if I need to, I will.



Shootout to Duluth weather for being shit on everyday that anyone wants to film.


Yea I know exactly what you mean haha, IMO overexposed snow is the worst so thats what I work on avoiding the most.Are you shooting flat profile?
Jan 24 2015 10:59AM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
outaouais_reppinYea I know exactly what you mean haha, IMO overexposed snow is the worst so thats what I work on avoiding the most.Are you shooting flat profile?


Yes I am shooting flat. I just don't know how to up the detail in post. There aren't any good videos on it either.
Jan 24 2015 11:58AM
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KellyK
Posts: 1782 - Karma: 715
CameraWizThat's my problem. I get the sky looking perfect then the snow is overexposed and vice versa. Should I just shoot on auto and let my camera take care of it? I'm not a guy that every shoots on auto but if I need to, I will.



Shootout to Duluth weather for being shit on everyday that anyone wants to film.


If you're running Magic Lantern, turn your exposure zebras on. This will help you expose for the snow.
Jan 24 2015 12:31PM
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homestar
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 4,197
CameraWizYes I am shooting flat. I just don't know how to up the detail in post. There aren't any good videos on it either.


What software do you edit with?
Jan 24 2015 4:20PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
KellyKIf you're running Magic Lantern, turn your exposure zebras on. This will help you expose for the snow.


What setting should zebras be on? I know there are a few.

homestarWhat software do you edit with?


I use adobe AE CS6 and Sony Vegas 12 which also has the Magic Bullet Looks plugin.
Jan 25 2015 2:51AM
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SarahTrow
Posts: 1 - Karma: 11
If you don't know how to shoot in Manual, LEARN!
I always keep my white balance on cloudy - so they don't turn out with a blue hue..
I would keep your ISO somewhere around 400
Hope that helps!
Jan 28 2015 4:16PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
SarahTrowIf you don't know how to shoot in Manual, LEARN!
I always keep my white balance on cloudy - so they don't turn out with a blue hue..
I would keep your ISO somewhere around 400
Hope that helps!


congrats on the first post!
Jan 29 2015 1:12AM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
SarahTrowIf you don't know how to shoot in Manual, LEARN!
I always keep my white balance on cloudy - so they don't turn out with a blue hue..
I would keep your ISO somewhere around 400
Hope that helps!


I always shoot manual on sunny days and for pictures but I can't get the detail I want while shooting video on cloudy days.
Jan 29 2015 1:27AM
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