EX1 Gamma curves
jan 18th, 2008 by Prune
I had a comment from Jean-marc Lonfils asking why I switch to Gamma2 when test shooting for “Bird Of Prey”.
I said in my past post that is was because of a more contrasty picture, but that was a shortcut that the knowledge of Jean-marc pointed out.
In fact, he is right in his comment : The Gamma 2 curve is “less contrasted” and more smooth, to handle the full video range without going to high in the highlights.
The fact is that the test shot was done in a car, on a sunny day, with a lot of back-light. Using this gamma curve help to get more detail in the middle of the contrast range. That ends in having darker black, brighter hightligts, and in this kind of shoot, a more “contrast” look with a lot of information in the middle.
I hope this is clear… 
Just remember that, with a video camera, you have to get the maximum amount of information when shooting to be able to make the look you want in post. Don’t try to achieve your look on set if you have to go in the extreme. Don’t burn, don’t crush. Even if your DoP say it’s looking flat, just show him what it will look like in post. Change the contrast, the color or other things in the monitor or in a dedicated picture profile, then switch bah to your settings for shooting.
Here is the gamma curve explanation from the manual, as a reference :
