Best advice I was given - if you want a scene to look dark, make sure there is something bright in it. That's how our brain and eye combination works - contrast. It can be very small, an exit sign or a tiny window with moonlight. It is the contrast that makes the rest of the scene look dark while keeping the detail and not turning it to a flat mush.
Solid advice. To add another exposure mistake that I've personally had to learn from, is understand your camera's bases ISOs for the dual stages. Not sure if this is the same across all camera brands, but for the Lumix S5 users the base ISOs for the dual stages differ depending on your color profile. For instance, I often shoot weddings in 8-bit CineD2 to keep editing quick and snappy. In this case the base ISOs are 200 and 1250 in CineD instead of 640/4000 in VLOG.
Your exposure videos have been a game-changer for me! Amazing work! ❤️ As someone who came from a photography background, I was taken aback by how tricky it can be to nail exposure in videos, especially when it comes to color grading 🎨. Your tips, along with using a medium gray card as you suggested, have made a world of difference. And the best part? Not only has my video quality improved, but my photos look better too, with skin tones appearing much more natural. Thank you so much🫡, Mr. Sam, for your invaluable guidance!😉
Hey! That’s awesome! I’m so pleased the videos are helping and great that you feel like you’re improving 💪🏻🎥 keep up the great work. Stay tuned for Tuesdays video 🤩
Thank you for this super helpful video! Especially the part about exposing for what you can't control and using an ND filter inside to get the exposure correct. Stoked to see your upcoming video about false color. I just got a monitor and am blown away by how helpful it is. Should have gotten it ages ago.
Just want to say how much I appreciate your presentation style and the way you break things down to their simplest form. I know that isn’t easy but you make it look like it is. Thank you! Been watching a bunch of your videos…new subscriber here for sure. 😊
Excellent video SAM!! Could you please tell me how accurate is the middle grey of the grey card compared to the middle grey of the calibrate Color checker ?
Why this came in clutch , I’ve been messing with the WB for the fx30 since you can’t “set” WB and found some useful videos on settings it on AWB using the grey card but this video gave me more information for all the other worries! Thanks
Thanks so much for your tips! I have not used a grey card before to expose my scenes better. I'm filming a lot on the fly while backpacking. It's often spontaneous, like animals in the meadow. I also carry a heavy backpack with somewhat minimal filming gear, but I would love to incorporate your techniques to some extent. Do you have any recommendations for shooting under harder circumstances like that where time is valuable to make it to the next camp, and I don't have the luxury to carry a lot of gear? I recently only used my iPhone 15 Pro Max to film, but I'm sure that I can still expose the scene better than just leaving everything on automatic as I do right now. Any advice is much appreciated.
Great advice Sam, I have been having a few teething problems with exposure and your advice on lighting correctly has put me on the right track! I am a Lumix camera user and having just found your site and excellent reviews on the S5ii I feel this will be my next camera. Are you still using the 35mm F1.8 for filming these videos when you are at the desk?
Hi. I sure do. I also have a full colour grading workshop that talks you through what to do BEFORE pressing record to set you up for the best grade! 🤩 there’s a link to that in my descriptions but here’s the short video ua-cam.com/video/3Ntdof5I4BU/v-deo.htmlsi=KnZhEutERHxvn5GC Thanks for watching 🙏🏻🤩🎥
Very informative and well explained video as usual Sam. You are one of the best filmmaking explainers on UA-cam today. I think what you forgot to mention this time was how exposure (middle grey) changes when you shoot Log versus REC709 gamma profiles, and how you should deal with that. Maybe on a separate video?
Great video. One thing I’m curious about is why there would be a difference when over exposing. Because in theory it should be the same in terms of contrast , the only difference being that highlights will have less range and may exhibit some clipping. But in your example we do indeed see a difference in the plant. But I don’t understand why that is. You do mention pulling down the highlights. Did you mean that literally? As in only affecting a specific range? Or are you simply bringing the entire image down? I’d assume the latter as in my mind that would be the intent.
I honestly can’t describe exactly why but I think it has something to do with the dynamic range and the contrast between parts of the image. For example, my face was closer to the light and the plant was further back so when I turned down the highlights, it affects everything differently. I recommend experimenting and see what happens. Because I thought it would be the same like you said. And this is why I like to do these tests myself. It’s a completely different look isn’t it. Thanks for watching
In the scenario with the bright window you could decrease the aperture instead of using an ND right? Obviously your depth of field would change but no other drawbacks?
Yes you can. And you’re right. The depth of field will change. I just want people to know that ND filters are still an option indoors. Thank you for watching 🤩🙏🏻🎥
Can you explain why would you put on an nd instead of just turning the iso/aperture/shutterspeed to let in less light? ND will reduce sharpness and introduce color cast unless you have an expensive one laying around.
SO TRUE! it all depends on the mood. even though I still struggle with slog3 with zebras at 94%.. I recently got the Atomos Shinobi as well but when I overexpose (highlights just under 94% zebras) it still looks way too bright on the screen with a rec709 conversion lut.. my biggest problem is not noise tbh it's the colored noise in the shadowy area's that make me want to vomit xD
HI.. you are one of person who help me to make my dission to get a lumix s 5 and thank you for that . btw I have .got an issue with my Panasonic S5 IIx. When I take a picture it turns out completely pitch black i tried every format like raw and jpeg also changed everything including iso ,shutter speed and exposure . also try it with card format and camera reset. But there is no hope. but there is no issue with the video, it is working fine as it was. I live in Bangladesh . There is no lumix support center. so i don't have any idea what to do...
Your best video to date Sam and yes ohhhhh yes I’ve made pretty much every mistake you mentioned lol. The one I made the most was filming inside with a window in the shot and you’ve sorted that for me!!! ND filter indoors duh why the hell didn’t I think of that?!?! Thanks as always I’ll be trying tomorrow
If you happen to have a huge roll of ND film that you found in a dumpster behind a production company, you can use a sheet of ND on your windows too. ;)
Hey Sam, quick question, if using false colour, is that just as accurate as the grey card? To clarify, when checking for how bright my scene is, would I even need one if I have false colour?
Hi. The grey card is handy because it gives you a clear reference as to what something should be. You can use false colour alone if you know what exposure a certain part of the image should be. The only issue with false colour is that the increments aren’t super accurate but it helps get in the ball park. 👌🏻 hope this helps
all we need now is mr lachman el zone system false colour map for smallhd and atmos ninja zebras, waveform are based on ire, while hisscale on stops of light, ansel adams style
I’ll definitely check those introduction videos too. That grey card is a bit lethal isn’t it 😂 careful dude could have your eye out with that 😂 Great to see you playing guitar again mate, but isn’t the glow around you just because you’re a legend? 😎 And what’s wrong with having more than 2 pizzas in a row? Great video again mate, great advice again! I’ll definitely be switching on my melon 😂 Oh btw, guess who caved in and got himself on instagram. Following you there now too 👍🏻
I use the polar pro ones. There’s a little bit of colour shift but I actually really like it 🤩 (not just saying it) I use them where I can because I prefer the colours. Or the moment ones are a little more affordable.
@@SamHolland gotcha okay I was looking at those Niss true color ones but they’re a little expensive. I’ll have to check out the ones you mentioned! Thanks Sam!
The NiSi ones are worth it. I've used a Moment VND for a few years and paired with my Canon R6, it's yellow + yellow, and it took me a long time to figure out a WB shift that would compensate for the filter color shift.
Do you have any suggestions for a multicam setup where there is no time to manually set WB and exposure? Also the cams move around the scene a lot and always end up with very different footages even within the same camera angle due to the auto settings.
Hi. I recommend staying away from auto settings because when things change, your colour grading will alter. If you move around but stick with the same manual settings, at least the changes will be consistent across both cameras 🙏🏻🤩 hope this helps. If you need more help I do 1-1 sessions over here www.sam-holland.com 🎥
UA-cam algorithm and monetisation. You need a minimum amount of hours per month and it gets higher and harder to reach them and risk losing your income. I lost mine a few years back and lost hundreds of pounds a month.
Have you made any of these mistakes? What was your the useful tip for you???
Not using light outdoors shooting towards bright sun. Too complicated! VD filters are great, I need to work with them more.
Can you really play guitar? Thank you for the video, it was so helpful! 😀
@@LeviBach my pleasure. I hope it helped 🙏🏻 hehe follow me on Instagram… I’m about to start a new guitar channel 😉🎸
Best advice I was given - if you want a scene to look dark, make sure there is something bright in it. That's how our brain and eye combination works - contrast. It can be very small, an exit sign or a tiny window with moonlight. It is the contrast that makes the rest of the scene look dark while keeping the detail and not turning it to a flat mush.
YES that is correct! 👍🏻 🤩🎥
Yes finally someone who gets it, expose your subject to 0. If you're not lighting your subject properly, noth else matters.
Solid advice. To add another exposure mistake that I've personally had to learn from, is understand your camera's bases ISOs for the dual stages. Not sure if this is the same across all camera brands, but for the Lumix S5 users the base ISOs for the dual stages differ depending on your color profile. For instance, I often shoot weddings in 8-bit CineD2 to keep editing quick and snappy. In this case the base ISOs are 200 and 1250 in CineD instead of 640/4000 in VLOG.
Your exposure videos have been a game-changer for me! Amazing work! ❤️ As someone who came from a photography background, I was taken aback by how tricky it can be to nail exposure in videos, especially when it comes to color grading 🎨. Your tips, along with using a medium gray card as you suggested, have made a world of difference. And the best part? Not only has my video quality improved, but my photos look better too, with skin tones appearing much more natural. Thank you so much🫡, Mr. Sam, for your invaluable guidance!😉
Hey! That’s awesome! I’m so pleased the videos are helping and great that you feel like you’re improving 💪🏻🎥 keep up the great work. Stay tuned for Tuesdays video 🤩
@@SamHolland no fear, I'll take a look 📺 🍿🎬
Thank you for this super helpful video! Especially the part about exposing for what you can't control and using an ND filter inside to get the exposure correct.
Stoked to see your upcoming video about false color. I just got a monitor and am blown away by how helpful it is. Should have gotten it ages ago.
Hey thank you 😃🙏🏻 I’m so pleased it helped. Also very exciting about your new monitor. 🎥thanks for watching
Love my grey card and the multi exposure gadget on the Lumix and the dual Native ISO makes life so much easier
They’re so helpful! I hope you’re enjoying the new camera 🎥
@@SamHolland loving both of the new ones and still love my R3 just wondering which one to take to the show as don't want them to feel left out 😜😁😂
Just want to say how much I appreciate your presentation style and the way you break things down to their simplest form.
I know that isn’t easy but you make it look like it is. Thank you! Been watching a bunch of your videos…new subscriber here for sure. 😊
Loved the two videos I watched from you and im definitely following. Great content. 🙌🏽
I’m so pleased you enjoyed them. I hope they helped. Thank you 🙏🏻😃🎥
A M A Z I N G video, everything well explained, b-rolls for better understanding. It was very helpful! THANK YOU! ❤
Thank you! 🤩🙏🏻🎥
Great talk, excellent examples. Appreciate the time you took to set these up.
Thank you! I hope it helped 🤩🙏🏻🎥
I am just a simple noob phone photographer and I used to overexpose everything until stumbling on this video so thank you man 👍
Excellent video SAM!! Could you please tell me how accurate is the middle grey of the grey card compared to the middle grey of the calibrate Color checker ?
Excellent video as always. Easy to understand which is what I need
Thanks Pete. So glad you’re learning 🤩🙏🏻🎥
Why this came in clutch , I’ve been messing with the WB for the fx30 since you can’t “set” WB and found some useful videos on settings it on AWB using the grey card but this video gave me more information for all the other worries! Thanks
Hey. I’m so pleased this helped. Thanks for watching 🤩🙏🏻🎥
Thanks so much for your tips! I have not used a grey card before to expose my scenes better. I'm filming a lot on the fly while backpacking. It's often spontaneous, like animals in the meadow. I also carry a heavy backpack with somewhat minimal filming gear, but I would love to incorporate your techniques to some extent. Do you have any recommendations for shooting under harder circumstances like that where time is valuable to make it to the next camp, and I don't have the luxury to carry a lot of gear? I recently only used my iPhone 15 Pro Max to film, but I'm sure that I can still expose the scene better than just leaving everything on automatic as I do right now. Any advice is much appreciated.
Great advice Sam, I have been having a few teething problems with exposure and your advice on lighting correctly has put me on the right track!
I am a Lumix camera user and having just found your site and excellent reviews on the S5ii I feel this will be my next camera. Are you still using the 35mm F1.8 for filming these videos when you are at the desk?
Hey. I’m so pleased the videos are helping 🤩🙏🏻 I use the 24mm currently but still use the 35 for various other shots
good topic informative content Thanks Sam.
Thank you! 😃🎥🙏🏻
Great video, I have a lumix siix and was wondering do you happen to have a video on your colour grading process for the vlog?
Hi. I sure do. I also have a full colour grading workshop that talks you through what to do BEFORE pressing record to set you up for the best grade! 🤩 there’s a link to that in my descriptions but here’s the short video ua-cam.com/video/3Ntdof5I4BU/v-deo.htmlsi=KnZhEutERHxvn5GC
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻🤩🎥
Very informative and well explained video as usual Sam. You are one of the best filmmaking explainers on UA-cam today. I think what you forgot to mention this time was how exposure (middle grey) changes when you shoot Log versus REC709 gamma profiles, and how you should deal with that. Maybe on a separate video?
Great video. One thing I’m curious about is why there would be a difference when over exposing. Because in theory it should be the same in terms of contrast , the only difference being that highlights will have less range and may exhibit some clipping. But in your example we do indeed see a difference in the plant. But I don’t understand why that is. You do mention pulling down the highlights. Did you mean that literally? As in only affecting a specific range? Or are you simply bringing the entire image down? I’d assume the latter as in my mind that would be the intent.
I honestly can’t describe exactly why but I think it has something to do with the dynamic range and the contrast between parts of the image. For example, my face was closer to the light and the plant was further back so when I turned down the highlights, it affects everything differently.
I recommend experimenting and see what happens. Because I thought it would be the same like you said. And this is why I like to do these tests myself. It’s a completely different look isn’t it.
Thanks for watching
In the scenario with the bright window you could decrease the aperture instead of using an ND right? Obviously your depth of field would change but no other drawbacks?
Yes you can. And you’re right. The depth of field will change. I just want people to know that ND filters are still an option indoors. Thank you for watching 🤩🙏🏻🎥
love the a4 mid grey chart explanation prop
Love my Pop up grey card.
Can you explain why would you put on an nd instead of just turning the iso/aperture/shutterspeed to let in less light? ND will reduce sharpness and introduce color cast unless you have an expensive one laying around.
SO TRUE! it all depends on the mood. even though I still struggle with slog3 with zebras at 94%..
I recently got the Atomos Shinobi as well but when I overexpose (highlights just under 94% zebras) it still looks way too bright on the screen with a rec709 conversion lut..
my biggest problem is not noise tbh it's the colored noise in the shadowy area's that make me want to vomit xD
😂 I know what you mean. What camera are you using?
@@SamHollandSony ZV-E1 bro :D
switch on your mellon :) - great, I especially needed the additional lighting for the subject with bright backgrounds.
🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉😂
Sam, am I just not seeing a link to the middle-grey foldable card? Love the tips here. Thanks for sharing your hard-won experience with us!
Hey. Sorry. I JUST added it 🙏🏻
So pleased you enjoyed the tips. Thanks for watching. 🎥🤩
Thanks @@SamHolland!
Can we get a video about setting up a monitor for use with LUMIX
Thank you Sam 👍😁
Thank you!!!! 🤩🙏🏻🎥
HI.. you are one of person who help me to make my dission to get a lumix s 5 and thank you for that . btw I have .got an issue with my Panasonic S5 IIx. When I take a picture it turns out completely pitch black i tried every format like raw and jpeg also changed everything including iso ,shutter speed and exposure . also try it with card format and camera reset. But there is no hope. but there is no issue with the video, it is working fine as it was.
I live in Bangladesh . There is no lumix support center. so i don't have any idea what to do...
Wow, great tips! Thanks for sharing
Thank you! 😃🎥🙏🏻
I just use my Sony lens cap as a grey card!
Your best video to date Sam and yes ohhhhh yes I’ve made pretty much every mistake you mentioned lol. The one I made the most was filming inside with a window in the shot and you’ve sorted that for me!!! ND filter indoors duh why the hell didn’t I think of that?!?! Thanks as always I’ll be trying tomorrow
Hey that’s awesome!! 🤩 so pleased you enjoyed the video! Best of luck with the new tips! 🎥💪🏻
If you happen to have a huge roll of ND film that you found in a dumpster behind a production company, you can use a sheet of ND on your windows too. ;)
Hey Sam, quick question, if using false colour, is that just as accurate as the grey card? To clarify, when checking for how bright my scene is, would I even need one if I have false colour?
Hi. The grey card is handy because it gives you a clear reference as to what something should be. You can use false colour alone if you know what exposure a certain part of the image should be. The only issue with false colour is that the increments aren’t super accurate but it helps get in the ball park. 👌🏻 hope this helps
dude i thought i was already subbed but i friggen wasn't! how did that happen? love the vids man!
Haha no worries bro. Thank you! 🤩🙏🏻🎥
good info
I have a nikon d3200 - would you suggest overexposig based on its age?
I think I need to come and do a couple of year Sam Holland apprenticeship ! Lol
Great info Sam thanks
great tips thx
Thank you! Hope it helped 🤩🙏🏻🎥
Thanks alot ...also with an exposed background how do we get away with it, without using an ND filter
Hi. You could use your cameras settings (aperture etc) but you may lose the depth or field/blurry background. Hope this helps 😀🙏🏻🎥
Thanks man
all we need now is mr lachman el zone system false colour map for smallhd and atmos ninja
zebras, waveform are based on ire, while hisscale on stops of light, ansel adams style
Waveforms is a wide spread technique for monitoring exposure.
I love part of the outro, "switch on your melon" 🤣 - sometimes I think that's a key part people miss
Thanks brother 😂 haha I certainly do! 🍉
@@SamHolland 😂.. same, same, we all do at times
you just know how to explain stuff mate...well done
Thank you! 😃🎥🙏🏻
I can see in the background: The Fujifilm X100VI ? I haven't received my pre-order yet! Lol
Ooooo I wish! 😀 this was the V
I'm taking away a lot from this video 🎉
Hey. That’s great 🤩 I’m so pleased 🎥
"...switch on your melon.." 😅 Love it!
😂😂😂🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉
Great!
I think you need to do video on interior design, your house is so lovely! 👍👌😂
🤩🤩🤩 thank you! 🙏🏻🎥
I’ll definitely check those introduction videos too.
That grey card is a bit lethal isn’t it 😂 careful dude could have your eye out with that 😂
Great to see you playing guitar again mate, but isn’t the glow around you just because you’re a legend? 😎
And what’s wrong with having more than 2 pizzas in a row?
Great video again mate, great advice again! I’ll definitely be switching on my melon 😂
Oh btw, guess who caved in and got himself on instagram. Following you there now too 👍🏻
😂🍉🍉🍉
Thanks brother! Nice one!!! 🙏🏻🎥
@@SamHolland my pleasure mate. Best get a follow back though 😉
Kidding! I don’t expect that 😂
Any ND filters you recommend that won’t break the bank and lose colors?
I use the polar pro ones. There’s a little bit of colour shift but I actually really like it 🤩 (not just saying it) I use them where I can because I prefer the colours. Or the moment ones are a little more affordable.
@@SamHolland gotcha okay I was looking at those Niss true color ones but they’re a little expensive. I’ll have to check out the ones you mentioned! Thanks Sam!
The NiSi ones are worth it. I've used a Moment VND for a few years and paired with my Canon R6, it's yellow + yellow, and it took me a long time to figure out a WB shift that would compensate for the filter color shift.
The Lumix spot metering is the ducks!
Sooooo good! 🎥
great video, really helpful! thank you
Hey thank you 🤩🙏🏻🎥
02:14 Thank you 🙏
Thank you! 😃🎥🙏🏻
Like the comment when you said you dont have to pefrectly expose at all times. Good to experiment with cammy cam
Do you have any suggestions for a multicam setup where there is no time to manually set WB and exposure? Also the cams move around the scene a lot and always end up with very different footages even within the same camera angle due to the auto settings.
Hi. I recommend staying away from auto settings because when things change, your colour grading will alter. If you move around but stick with the same manual settings, at least the changes will be consistent across both cameras 🙏🏻🤩 hope this helps. If you need more help I do 1-1 sessions over here www.sam-holland.com
🎥
2:12 peekaboo! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Your videos are really REALLY helpful and educational. You're one of the best I've found on youtube yet. Keep up man, you're fucking fantastic 🤟
I want the cowboy theme back, pleeeease
Haha noted 😉
I could have sworn Ive seen you on another channel
#greycardsupportgroup
how many times did he say "like the lumix S5" hahaha
Cool! Now can you address real cinema cameras?
What would you like to know?
@@SamHolland Basically the same thing but on cinema cameras. RED, BMD, etc
Gracias!
2:13 🙈😹
Christ, this is worst than learning how to make proper espresso 😂
Why do these creators always waste like 1-4 minutes before getting to the damn point 🤦🏻♂️
UA-cam algorithm and monetisation. You need a minimum amount of hours per month and it gets higher and harder to reach them and risk losing your income. I lost mine a few years back and lost hundreds of pounds a month.