Grit vs Pristine
Film Emulationby Jonathan Selden
What in the grit are you talking about?
Ever since the birth of the 5D mark ii, indie filmmakers have been hungry for cinematic images. That beautiful bokeh look was made possible for the common man and it was revolutionary. Fast forward nearly 10 years later and almost anyone can achieve bokeh with a semi-fast lens (and even the new iphone!).
So what’s the next best thing? What does everyone crave just as much as the creamy bokeh? *Cue reverberated voice* FILM EMULATION!
A huge selling point for the modern filmmaker is whether or not the camera is capable of shooting in a flat color profile or even better: record in uncompressed raw. In theory, a flatter image leaves room for a more flexible image (assuming there is enough information to tweak before your shot turns into a digital monster).
Now that we have this capability (at a relatively cheap price), the trend has pivoted back toward the roots of FILMmaking. Every craftsman should have a high respect for the pioneers that paved the way for the rest of us. There is something special about the genuine and organic nature of film. Here is the big question: is there room for filmic imagery in every project, or is it only for the hipster narrative storyteller?
Okay, we get it. Show us some gorgeous frames.
Here is a frame from a music video I shot while exploring the southwest:
Film Emulation, Before + After
The muted color describes the western landscape with honesty. This shot screams adventure, and a lot of the time, adventure is gritty. The bearded madman is rugged, but in a beautiful way, and the color adds to his personality.
Digital Grading, Before + After
The bright blue sky shines as he rides toward a more noticeable massive rock formation. Added sharpness gives greater detail to the adventurer’s surroundings. The vibrance of the colors adds a sense of positivity.
The video mentioned in this post was shot with the following equipment:
- Cameras: Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro, DJI Inspire Pro 1 Black
- Lenses: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM, Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L II USM
- Camera Support: Movi Pro Gimbal
Jonathan Selden
Filmmaker + Producer
Jonathan leads our video storytelling. His passion for visual storytelling comes through in every frame.
More about Jonathan on our team page.
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