How I Expose & Color Grade S-Log2

[@SamFathallah]

Hey everybody, Thanks for the feedback on this video. In the first part, I said to underexpose. I blame my careless writing at the time; I didn't think anyone would watch this video, and I'm not much of a tutorial-maker. I just like mixing footage and music and getting lost. I'm gonna stick to that. Don't underexpose or overexpose your footage. Just expose your footage to the light you have the way you want your shot to look. Use a good monitor. I don't use three way color corrector to color correct anymore. I saw a comment that said to use the exposure controls that are built into Lumetri Color to adjust white balance and exposure, and I've been doing that ever since. It's worked wonderfully for my BMPCC 6k footage. Lastly, I don't think tutorial-making is for me, but I'll leave you with this advice: go out and shoot every single day. The more you do it, the more you learn - about your camera, about your world, about yourself. I do love chatting through text - so subscribe and throw questions my way in the comments on my videos. Happy filmmaking, Sam

[@od628]

In the end, it's about having fun. The video you demonstrated here looks good, and to most, could care less about this and that setting. It's what's visually appealing. Nice work. I learned a few nuggets from this.

[@irlhomie1983]

This video is legit gold! So simple yet so effective and down to the point

[@Lifeonbooks]

Thanks for the video. I love that you keep it simple and to the point. Too many KZbinrs blab on and on before getting to the point of the video. Definitely subbing.

[@Gabriel-ti2rl]

the most helpful video i have seen about slog 2

[@martinezhmarcoa]

I get that he gave the information on his take of what Slog 2 should be exposed at but that white balance tip was clutch. I didn't know that so thanks for that!

[@Tradie1]

The shot of the horses looks unreal

[@shadduck]

FINALLY! I've been wanting to get into S-Log shooting for quite some time. I'm an old school film guy from the 1980s that has mastered the intricacies of still-image digital RAW shooting & processing but when it comes to video I'm a novice... Have been looking for the basic how-to get started settings and have spent countless hours wading through tutorials (all the others ASSume the viewer knows the basics, and they skip over the essentials). Now, FINALLY some info I can actually put to use (you do this up front at 0:45; "scroll to PP7, that's where S-Log2 lives"), and the basics of applying PP settings in Premiere... Thank you for this! I've also read the various comments critiquing your recommended exposures, etc., but that's okay, this is the first video (of literally dozens I've gone through) that quickly and simply lays out the foundational information to get into shooting S-Log. Much appreciated.

[@SonOvaBoss]

I didn’t know I needed this 🤧

[@ahmedhamdy2773]

Awesome bro, straight to the point and no bullshit

[@gabriel32f1]

this video helped me so much thank you. within a few seconds of me watching this video i was convinced i needed to subscribe. great work man keep it going

[@christofferroeen7222]

I FUCKING LOVE YOU BRO !!!! I have never heard about custom setting white balance by capture data... That shit is so dope !!!

[@ruffprophetproductions]

your video came to me by divine intervention and your simplicity of explaining it makes me very confident in trusting you. thank you for this. i just got my a7s m1 a few weeks ago and i’m looking to try out slog so we’ll see🧐

[@markbone]

Great tutorial mate!! I still shoot in Slog2 for most things

[@MortarMike]

JUST finding this gem online and LOVE this content my man! I legit own a greycard and NEVER use it, but now I know WHEN to put it to use, and why to jump out of Slog BEFORE I use it, makes a ton of sense. Thanks for this video man, +1 Like, +1 Sub!

[@JohnCassity]

I watched a lot of slog 2 videos but this was the first one I understood well, thanks man!

[@GameStach]

Extremely informative! Thank you very much!

[@LaneMcCall]

Dude I immediately subscribed. Very straight forward and it's actually interesting to see you underexposing S-Log footage coming from someone like me who is used to overexposing it! Keep up the great work and I'm working on a S-Log video and plan on mentioning your style in the video.

[@tivatavi]

Thank you for the vid. I'm new to shooting video and currently struggle with s-log2. This video helps a lot. Cheers m8. 👍

[@gravityflyer]

Part I on the exposure was super helpful! I think most tutorials focus on color grading without discussing how to get it right in camera first! Thank you!

[@adamlemon-art]

Cheers Sam! Very helpful and to the point.

[@saopaulosoul8714]

some cool insight, for beginners and even for people who have been color grading for a while. cheers! 👍

[@jfs_films]

Awesome happy atmospheric work mate! You should have way more subscribers 👍🏻

[@jakesgreatesthits]

Short and sharp. Great job

[@anderss5913]

Great stuff. I love how simple your process is. I've seen far too many videos where people have a long, complicated color grading process. As a wedding filmmaker, I can't afford to spend days on end following archaic processes. Your work is incredible, and if this is essentially all you're doing, it's definitely something to emulate. Thank you for sharing!

[@jakeboex]

Succinct and clear. Thank you 🙏

[@israboyyy]

The most awaited! 🙌🏼

[@merryberry129]

Your video and the end result looks amazing! I've looked at tons of youtube videos but yours is really one of the best color graded!

[@renatalorrain]

Oh my goodness. Thank you for explaining this far clearer than my film lecture!

[@submarineofdoctors]

Very informative video! I have heard S-log2 needed to be overexposed about 2 stops over, and you underexposed it in the contrary. I am confused now, would your explained the exposure process clearer? Thanks a lot!

[@TheBrechbuehler]

same here. sad still no answer to your question :(

[@EireCreative]

This is the first time I’ve heard to underexposed slog2 rather than to over expose by 2 stops. Interesting! Footage looked good though!

[@joehearsey4740]

just found ur channel and loving the content - keep up the work bro.

[@eletor]

I really like you're stuff, video looks clean and natural. Gonna stick around and try to learn something.

[@chrishartung1]

Thank you so much! I've always loved your film colors, they look so clean. You're one of the Filmmakers who inspire me a lot, Keep up the good work and have a great day!

[@iPodiMaster]

WARNING! NEVER UNDEREXPOSE SLOG 2 It must be overexposed by 2 stops!!!

[@henry-visuals9186]

that's what i was thinking like wait underexpose? that will muddy your image

[@CrazyyyJayy]

😂😂😂

[@rkjelseth]

Great video man! Where is all your subscribers?! ;)

[@PeterV]

Dude you broke it down perfectly! Thank you for this!!!

[@hasanghazali4574]

Very comprehensive and easy to follow. :)

[@RexRogersBeats]

If you use the dropper tool in the Lumetri Color panel you can select true white and it will automatically adjust the white balance to the closest correct settings.

[@SamFathallah]

Rex Rogers Beats You rock! I’m gonna start doing this.

[@RexRogersBeats]

Sam Fathallah you’re welcome. I’m super surprised I haven’t seen it in any color grading vlogs yet! Steal it 😀

[@animusvisual]

This isnt raw footage, it doesnt always give pleasing results, especially if you were far off from correct white balance. But it helps when theres a slight correction needed.

[@exogendesign4582]

Doesn't work all the time specially if you are in lowlight situation, and even in ambient and daylight it gives weird warm color or super blue color that looks shit, the Whitebalance card maybe hassle but it does the job pretty neatly though, way better than WB picker in PP. But nice Suggestion though.

[@RexRogersBeats]

@@exogendesign4582 that just may be a taste opinion of yours though. but nice comment

[@knucklesbyname]

Just got to your channel. Thanks, for this man. Really helpful

[@federicolorenzon6038]

Thanks for sharing:) so simple and informative. Great work!

[@suite141]

Great video, Man!!! Looking forward to checking out your work.

[@tobymaggs3981]

Great video , super helpful , I've been struggling with Sony colors , especially with skin tones , been trying out the new A7r3 , and havnvt been able to nail it

[@rnilu86]

I read somewhere that slog wants light. it performs better when overexposed rather than being underexposed.

[@yz249]

You're correct, this guy is completley wrong. 1 - 2 stops overexposed is best.

[@chernobaev]

Hi Sam 👋 thank you very much and respect from Russia 🇷🇺How do you think what lut use Matt D’Avella in his KZbin channel?

[@ANDRIANFEMIXOBOY]

Straight on the point.

[@minh119]

thank you for all the great contents Sam :)

[@rappsongs]

Perffffect! Straight to the point and helpful!!! 👍👍👍

[@TheDimatikhonov]

So many incorrect information: 1) Underexpose s-log2?? Really? Fail. You will have noise in shadows after cc 2) Set wb using office paper? Wrong! Its not white, because all office paper is blue tinted 3) set wb and than change profile to s-log? What for? You should set wb using s-log profile if you shoot in s-log

[@Slovanin.]

+1

[@PrinceWesterburg]

@@Slovanin. - Up to +2 actually, check WolfCrow, his vide is an hour long but you'll never regret it!

[@emanuellmoita]

@@PrinceWesterburg if notice wolfcrow recomends +3 even +3 1/3.

[@pdas25762]

dude if you actually check what he's doing at 2:06, you can see that when he says slightly left of centre, he is referring to the histogram (not the exposure metering mode). Check back at this time stamp and you will see that his actual metering mode still sits around +1.7 to +2.0. Cheers my guy.

[@shpynda]

@@korphainontapaoraya3615 WTF?

[@aleoriodan]

Hi man can you recommend me a good basic natural lut for slog 2 for a7iii before the color grading ? Thank you 😊

[@Wajiz114]

Great video Sam. Can you make a 2 minutes video on how to set up the settings for Real-estate videography.

[@jozefduijvestein9620]

This is a great tutorial! Never learned slog or other recording settings other than raw and frame rates. Can't wait to try this out!!

[@apprendrelavideo463]

Shooting RAW is one level up. No need to go Log if U shooting raw.

[@JohnCassity]

I seen you are shooting in abandoned places! I use my Sony a7ii in urbex and worried that slog2 is bad for low light but your stuff looks great!

[@danimac2028]

Hi Sam how do you set the zebra level on your camera? Thanks

[@lilhyste1]

Thank you

[@Racelab_life]

Great video, im looking at switching to sony and learnt heaps about slog, thanks

[@carlosjavier9824]

Good tutorial men! Where can I get the M31 LUT for Wds Premier P18?

[@KalopYT]

Nice vid! thanks!

The zebras in what percentage do you have them configured?

[@TWB264]

Peaks left of centre and underexposed? S-Log tends to perform best given that condition? Dude, some of your stuff looks great, but this information is categorically incorrect. Look at your views right now... You've got 30K people looking to you for advice. Look up any guidance on how to shoot S-log. 1-2 stops OVER exposed at the camera's base ISO to a) get maximum available dynamic range off the sensor and b) keep the noise floor low once the LUT has been applied.

[@FMeng]

Agreed, tried his method, so many noise in the dark area after color grading

[@firelightproduction3023]

Agreed. You should take this down. Noise levels are acceptable on a 640p screen but not on a monitor.

[@kubolor1234]

I stopped watching at that point.

[@icebird101]

100% Agreed

[@pdas25762]

dude if you actually check what he's doing at 2:06, you can see that when he says slightly left of centre, he is referring to the histogram (not the exposure metering mode). Check back at this time stamp and you will see that his actual metering mode still sits around +1.7 to +2.0. also another tip! if you turn off IBIS on the A7iii, you actualy get way less noise. Cheers man

[@taofilms]

If I wanna shoot any scene in dark , will slog 2 work same ?

[@GottaVision]

Do you have the color grade lut that is on your thumbnail? If so, how can I get it?

[@neptunerecords2872]

very very nice!!!

[@juanpedrotc]

Great video! Please, do the bloody lake tutorial, its awesome!

[@rayhanfarqi]

Can you tell us what's your Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) settings? Is it still factory-set 'Auto' or have you changed it to a certain level? Thank you

[@DespacitoFilms]

I loved both parts, but specially the one down-to-earth on how to expose. Noody tells us to just use something white to white balance on the go...as for the part on editing, it surprised me that the first thing you do is adding an adjustment layer. Even with proxies, my computer tends to slow down. So that is the last part I do. Great explanation video.

[@dansanchezd.vildosola7619]

I purchased the visioncolor luts and I haven't been able to get the right exposure on my footage I guess because the M31 keeps turning my footage ALL BLUE, do you have any advice?

[@awsomenick12]

Awesome work man! I've been dying for you to bring this up! You have one of my favorite color palettes on the platform. I use the A7S too, and have been growing frustrated that I can't get the same effect/tones. Can't wait to use it and I'll for sure give you a shout on my main! By the way, if you could only have one lens for a day's shoot on your A7S, which would it be? In the market for a new lens, and my 55mm is great in terms of quality, but I can never get the coverage I'd like when traveling/vlogging/filming/etc. Thanks!

[@SamFathallah]

awsomenick12 Can’t wait to see what you make! Any questions when you’re shooting and editing, I’m always down to answer. Lenses are definitely subjective, but I go for a shallow 35mm every time. I love my 35mm 1.4, it’s been kind to me and feels so close to the human eye. I find that when I shoot with that focal length it gives a very visceral and organic feeling to my work. It also functions well as a portrait lens if you like to take photos of people!

[@austinhuhs]

Great video, love your work. I've heard you're supposed to overexpose slog2...but you said underexpose? Do you ever get noise in the shadows? Thanks man.

[@stylelabyrinthg.8153]

Austin I've heard the same thing. You overexpose and then underexpose in post.

[@irishboy0909]

Was that the Calgary Library?

[@choukribaziz]

If zebra helps me to expose slog2 correctly then my question is will i abandon the ND filter?

[@hbrtstudio]

Thank you for this amazing vid !, i will try your expose settings on my Sony A6300 :)

[@Estudioimmage]

Do you use slog but don't set exposure to +2 correct? Not much grain?

[@Ibrahk5]

Thanks for sharing this, but I’d like to see it’s performance in low light 💡 like night shots

[@vpr5562]

May i ask - when setting the right WB, you returned to PP1, but not off, correct? I did set my custom profiles from PP1 to PP4 inc, which i don't want to lose. May you please advise what were the settings from PP1 so i could go and set it to pp5?

[@SamFathallah]

V PR Good catch - my PP1 is the same as turning my profiles to off. I suppose I should have just turned the picture profile off in the video, my bad. My advice is to turn all picture profiles off before setting your white balance.

[@94vishu]

Bro amazing tutorial. But I have one question how can properly exposed video in bright sunlight without nd filter?

[@greggoodenough5607]

Drop the fstop or get an ND filter my man.

Bro, thank you very very much for this!

[@MrXZiLE]

What about in dark situations?like night time or something?do you use s-log?

[@LivingProofFilmz]

So you say just left of center for the best exposure for slog. I continuously hear to over expose by 2 stops for slog. I’m mostly shooting in cine4 due to slog being so difficult. Once I nail slog I’ll probably convert over. Just left of center, or over expose by 2 stops? Wish there wasn’t so much controversy over this.

[@siwap]

I'm wondering what Sam has to say on this too. I see more often than not that you should overexpose about 2 stops by others just like you. I'd recommend searching Keepitcity and see his short how to grade Slog 2 video and he overexposes +2 and his results look great.

[@MikkelInumineq]

My experience is, when you expose just left of center - the exposure meter will actually be around +1.7-2.0 - thus being overexposed by 2. I appreciate the confusion, it have taken me ages to figure out the whole grading / exposure show for s-log video. And i have been into still photography for almost 15 years now! :/

[@putinworkinnovatives4695]

In what mode is your camera when you're shoot? I shoot in my customised modes on my A6500 and it causes the camera to auto expose which i find hard to fix. Please help me...and nice video by the way, better than the previous ones I've watched.

[@DylanHaskin]

Thanks man, super helpful.

[@RoadUser_Motovlog]

I'm gonna try your tips..i've tried many solutions but my footage always lacks depth (it's the best way i can describe it)..i very very very VEEERY rarely get the colors i want..i'm gonna try again and again :D (i shoot on a Sony RX10 mkII, hopefully i'll upgrate to an A7SII this summer)

[@rizihsan]

Sam thanks for sharing. So far everyone has asked to overexpose slog2 to keep noise low. However your method underexposes. What do you do about the noise in the shadows?

[@SamFathallah]

Rizwan Ihsan thanks for the comment, Rizwan. I haven’t ran into a problem with noisy shadows as of yet, but I’ll try to take note of it next time I’m editing. I like to slightly underexpose because I tend to shoot outside most often, and I just love having a cloudy blue sky with plenty of detail maintained. Also I find that it’s much easier to correct an underexposed clip than an overexposed clip.

[@SamFathallah]

One of my favorite DoP KZbinrs, Alister Chapman, has a good video on exposure. He suggests under exposing for the same reasons and a few others: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKiZemqce5eVrck

[@LMCTime]

Great tutorial👍

[@twinspowertv1078]

Been waiting for this vid, you are the color king! Do you think it is worth to shoot in Slog2 on the a6300 vs Cine4? I know the A7sii gives you more leeway with noise. Also what ND filter do you use? I know to get the blurry background outside in the sun requires a good ND haha.

[@SamFathallah]

TwinsPowerTV Thank you! I always prefer s-log2 over any other log format. When I’m outside I’ll use a Tiffen variable ND filter, but I usually opt to just close my aperture a bit.

[@shanunag24]

You got a new sub buddy 👉🏽

[@KristianDanielsr]

Great vid. Thanks man

[@elevic6293]

awesome color!!!

[@TrenchfootSalvador]

WHAT LENS DID YOU USE FOR THE SCENES IN THIS VIDEO?

[@ankphotography]

dealing with niose in shadows??

[@mikesalomon2695]

Hi, I hâve thé A6300 and I cannot use personnal white balance in video mode. How you do I don't understand? When I set my white balance in M mode and save In set 1 for example Then I go back to video mode and in set one the white balance in set 1 I saved isn't here anymore.

[@omotivationnation987]

Can you share lut pack please thanks

[@Whiskeey77]

I have a Sony A7II when I shoot in S-Log 2 the ISO is set to 800 but once I press Record it changes to 1600 ISO does anyone know why this happens?

[@mikemillan]

Everyone saying that you underexposing is "wrong" isnt looking at how nice your colours are - The end result doesn't lie

[@bokehbohm]

is the 1:48 mark in Kansas City???

[@Venturi11]

do you use nd filters to deal with the minimum 3200 iso?

[@dictionaryofwords1108]

You're supposed to overexpose by at least 2 stops in slog2

[@alvinakmalramadhanrudiansy8156]

how about s log 3 ??

[@TobiasManczak]

This was so helpful :)

[@writetosenthil]

Hey mate, lovely work, some serious talent. Do you use ND filter when shooting in SLog2? If yes, which one do you use?

[@writetosenthil]

I have the same question as well. Also the colour grading is on spot. Would be great to know the workflow in little more detail if possible.

[@AxiA]

everybody says to over expose! Now you say underexpose.... the problem is that your stuff looks very cool. So I kinda believe you lol!

[@muralighting]

Yeah i've heard this too, someone argue with me!

[@SamFathallah]

AxiA Serra AxiA Serra I think it all depends on what kind of shot you want. There’s no hard rules for exposure, this isn’t an exact science - it’s all about how you want your shot to feel. I find that underexposing is safer because it’s much easier to bring shadows back than to bring highlights back. One of my favorite DoP KZbinrs, Alister Chapman, has a good video on exposure. He suggests under exposing for the same reasons and a few others: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKiZemqce5eVrck

[@AxiA]

yeah, I see your point. If it wasn't that if you expose it normal or underexpose it in Slog it creates noise in the shadows!! Like visible noise...in my experience... and I keep ISO at 600!! I've always been told that the 2 stops of overexposing are needed to cancel that noise that Slog creates in the shadows! You don't get noise? Doesn't look like! However thank you for responding!

[@muralighting]

Yeah the shadows are the things I'm worried about, and I don't think you can go under 800 in slog2, but if so please tell me how!

[@SamFathallah]

AxiA Serra For an outdoor scene, what is your: - shutter speed - aperture - ISO - frame rate - APS-C Crop mode (on or off)

[@Amir.Alexander]

Hey Sam love the video!! But I was wondering what are your setting for the zebras and do you still use S-log 2 at night or in slow light settings?

[@SamFathallah]

Amir Alexander I don’t recall my zebra levels (I don’t have my camera on me) but I always opted to use s-log2 in lowlight - it helps to be shooting on an open aperture(

[@Amir.Alexander]

Sam Fathallah thanks!!