Nail Your Exposure Every Time

[@itsmahdisadeghi]

You are a savior, teaching us the very important things are not in any other place available to learn. I think that was the fastest I ever subscribed to a new channel. Keep up the brilliant work. ❤❤❤

[@Tscharski]

Tempo, Emotion, Insight - the ingredients of a perfect video! You can tell a person is incredibly passionate about their craft when they get annoyed by things they see other people do. I promise I won’t overexpose ever again!!! Thanks for the great video

[@davidp158]

+1 for False Color. It has helped me so many times to see levels of exposure that are hard to interpret on a small camera screen. 5-7” monitors with False Color are a must-have IMHO.

[@pawpaw324]

This video is pure gold! Thanks!!

[@dougdina]

I used your methods within this video to shoot a concert a few days ago. It is normally a challenging situation to expose properly since the lightning would be unpredictable. I used an external monitor whereby I set some function buttons to bounce between regular and false color. The resulting video is outstanding in terms of being able to color process it. I normally just use the camera’s histogram as I like to keep a super light setup. But, there are many advantages to an external monitor: false color, easier to focus, additional storage. The best thing, and the biggest difference between a histogram and false color is, the histogram does not tell you WHAT the exposure within the display. False color shows you that exactly. One down side, in my opinion, is the my ext display with false color has many hues in the mid tones. There is a light green then a few grays. In other words, it is not easy to quickly ascertain the mid tones. Anyway, great video and thank you so much.

[@BryceDocherty]

This is seriously what I was lacking until about 6 months ago when I finally bought a monitor. I was always like....eh...do I really need one? Why not get that new lens, that new gimbal instead. Now, I WILL NEVER, EVER, shoot without a monitor while having a lut active while using NDs. Literally, buying a monitor changed my filmmaking. I think it's essential and I can't stress it enough to other filmmakers. Awesome vid. Thanks Mark. Just joined AoD and am SUPER excited to see everyone's work and grow as a camera person story guy!??

[@IsaacSuttleFilms]

My wallet doesn’t like your comment. Haha 😅

[@BryceDocherty]

@@IsaacSuttleFilms Muhahha. I bought an Atomos Shinobi for 400 bucks. Came with two batteries and a charger. Works amazing. I'll try a Small HD eventually. I would get one if you don't have one.

[@erolsq]

Fantastic video my friend. You nailed in my opinion, two of the keys to an effective video; 1. Provide value, quickly discuss your ability to provide this value 2. Quickly deliver the value (straight to the point) Not only were the tips tremendously valuable but they were presented in an easily-digestible way. Keep it up my friend !

[@Andisend]

That easy when you explain it so well. Thank you

[@kore996]

Had no idea how that worked and always wondered why someone would want to see those colours…so thank you!

[@markbone]

They’re the best

[@cjwomack]

I wake up in a sweat when I dream of accidentally formatting a memory card 🥵😅

[@markbone]

It’s a right of passage as a filmmaker

[@shredruns]

Lol

[@emergencyvehiclessa8947]

I've lived that dream.

[@mcpuipuia6350]

Done that last week 😅

[@islapulikechris_13]

@@markbone Mark Boone Jr.

[@smitholu1419]

Thanks for this R was hoping I get this teachings from you Much love from Sierra Leone

[@markbone]

🙏🏻🙏🏻 you’re most welcome

[@lachutequimarche8074]

I appreciate the log making multiple brief appearances.

[@markbone]

😂

[@RustyShackleford9000]

@@markbonehow do you account for slog3 being optimally exposed at 1.7 stops “over” for the cleanest image?

[@1imanni1]

Best explanation of false coor! Green is good!

[@tptrsn]

Such a GREAT point about the false color options! The standard false color setup on the Ninja V has way too many shades of gray like the Blackmagic false color you showed from Mateo. It just makes it less easy to dial in your exposure quickly. Too bad, since it is otherwise pretty awesome.

[@JackIsaacVideo]

Great video on the basics ! However, darker skin tones shouldn’t generally be set around 70 IRE as stated and will range between 50-70 (unless over-exposing for creative effect) depending on the skin tone. 70 should only be used for lighter skin tones. Same caveats, rules can be broken etc, but generally if you have someone with darker skin tones and set the exposure at 70 IRE it’ll look pretty bad.

[@cloudiow]

Yup every skin tone behaves differently. But also the color temperature and type of light for each skintone. Some work really well. Bradford young talks about it a lot he lights really a bit darker and warmer on skintones.

[@robertper4102]

I've been a live broadcast engineer for over 20 years. Yep, 70 IRE is really hot for skin tones. I usually put my caucasian skin around 45-50. Darker tones can be under but if I can bump that I will, to bring detail out. If you look at his waveform footage, you can see his skin tones are right at 50 IRE.

[@binaryinfections]

So for darker skins stay around 50?

[@JackIsaacVideo]

@@robertper4102 wow, fair enough, but 45-50 seems way too dark for paler caucasian skin. I generally stick to 50 IRE for the darkest skin tones, 65-70 for light skin, then use best judgement between 50-70 IRE for skin tones that fall somewhere between those two. Hope that makes sense!

[@harpenfluit]

@@robertper4102 Exactly. My Green False Colors are representing 43-47 IRE, great for skin. I think he made an error and meant around 50 IRE.

[@mattikarnaattu6321]

Because I'm shooting low budget gear, I don't have monitor or false colors. And some situations I don't carry all possible equipment so I have different process: I use reference points to get exposure nailed and use zebras that I can adjust. 1. My own white caucasian skin, how it is lit from keyside in same position as target (or check from model skin). I never forgot my skin when I choose necessary equipment for shooting. 2. Piece of white paper. This is actually efficient way when shooting environment instead of people. Just drop paper to flat floor/ground and check zebras from that or position where I take care of light angle. Some other bright, diffuse white reflecting object in camera view works too.

[@christopherthinn]

Really appreciate these more technical step-by-step videos! As a storyteller who's just learning to shoot, this really helps demystify the process. Love it.

[@KALINAmoto]

False colors is great and quite accurare but for fast scenarios like weddings, Lut view with zebras set to skin tones seems more reliable and faster to read. There is no time for switching views over and over while light keeps changing and subjects are moving. Still you may destabilize your image by pushing those buttons/monitor😅 Add focus pulling on top of that 🤪

[@InTheTropic]

This videos cover photo reminds me so much of the sleeping with sirens If You Were a Movie, This Would Be Your Soundtrack album cover

[@napatsaeng]

Thank you we use false color all time ❤

[@markbone]

Me too!

[@Brian-Hansen]

This is 100% correct. The moment I stopped messing up my exposure was the moment I got an external monitor and started using the tools on it such as wave forms false color and histograms. On camera monitors don’t do it. Your eyes play tricks on you but the tools never lie.

[@Leprutz]

I have no external Monitor and I can expose correctly just looking at my screen no help needed. While your eyes are still capable trust your eyes. Plus underxpose by 2 steps down and you will never have an overexposed shot. How did I learn that? Experience and getting to know your camera. There are some people who cannot afford equipment, this and that, than this light. The best way to learn is going out and shooting a cup of coffee at sunlight, when cloudy when rainy when night. Shoot houses streets, people. How do you think the pros managed back in the days when there were no LUTS and all theses shenanigans?

[@hunterb7549]

@@Leprutz pros used light meters, and still do, false colors on a monitor is just a way to try and cut down on crew/speed up shooting. You won’t always be using the camera you are most familiar with, your knowledge of exposure should easily transfer to any camera system if you want to grow.

[@Leprutz]

@@hunterb7549 Yes Light meters. But light meters is one thing. Well nowaday every camera has a screen. And as I said... when your eyes still work fine can trust them. I have worked with a few cameras not extra tools. Didn't have problems witht the exposure. As I said. I even underexpose by a few points. Specially when someone doesn't have the necessary means those tips mean shit. Try work with as litlle as you have. And work on it well. Everything is in the story and your creativity. That is a fact.

[@Brian-Hansen]

@@LeprutzAs I agree with what you are saying, every camera is different, and the camera I use mainly does not have waveform display that can also be used at the same time as focus peaking. So I was always left with a choice of which tool to use. Also, outside in full sun on my camera it is impossible to correctly see the small screen. My monitor washes out completely. So I get what you are saying, but every situation is different. From my experience, the small HD I bought several years ago reduced the time I spend correcting colors and exposure in post. Which, for me, is a win.

[@Leprutz]

@@Brian-Hansen Hey... I am not bashing helpin tools, even if it came across as such. Of course it all depends on the situations. So yeah you are totally right too. I merely wanted to state that for those who cannot afford they shall work harder to get to know their camera. My next step will be a screen. for sure. Basically for focus pulling.

[@mrfryfilmguy]

Think I had Ninja V for a bout 6 months before I actually learnt how to use false colors properly. It's so good!

[@chipcurry]

I have the small HD 5.5 inch monitor and it does not have the gradient scale of green that you show - it just has a dot for Green and a dot for pink. And after that it's white until yellow and red, so I just start with the pink for my faces, and let it go up from there, with the green on the neck but… I've been using these false colors ever since I saw this video the first time, six months ago, and my exposure has been absolutely perfect most of the time. I don't use any luts and I don't use log because I'm shooting eight bit. But I do go back-and-forth between false colors and a screen with black and white. and yellow peeking for focus. I rarely look at my monitor with normal colors.

[@BrendanEvan]

I just “discovered” false colors this year and idk how I’ve lived without it

[@MarcusRFilms]

False color is gold!! And SmallHDs new EL Zone feature within false (which measures in stops vs IRE) made it that much of a MUST USE! I use it each and every time now.

[@KaySlagman]

I set it up on all my Canon cameras as a custom button I can reach with my thumb, so I can switch instantly. It’s a game changer for sure. They even add it now to all non-cinema cameras, like the R6 Mark II. I would never consider any camera without built in false colors again. Great video 👍🏻

[@bjklophaus1598]

Great video! I never really had a problem with over-exposure until this past summer. Still don't know exactly what happened, but it reiterated the importance of using monitoring tools on set and not just relying on the image you're seeing. Really like the simplicity of the false color on those smallHD monitors. You may have just converted me.

[@The_Daliban]

4:26 to be fair this only applies, if you are working without reduction luts. As soon as you have reduction luts on you want false color to apply to the log image, not the rec709 image. since most viewers probably use an Atomos Ninja V this is important info. The Atomos Ninja V doesn’t support multiple luts active or the ignore showlut function of the smallhd. That means if you have a Atomos ninja v and use reduction luts you have to switch back-and-forth to check for correct exposure.

[@gregv2821]

Your videos are always leaps and bounds better than everyone else’s

[@YogevMontekyo]

You can monitor in camera with false color or simply with zebra set to 70 or lower for darker skin. Histogram in camera is also good for avoiding clipping but common mistake is trying to avoid clipping when you shouldn't, your priority is your subject, so either get your subject in better light or simply accept the clipping

[@alexciprian]

I actually like the False Colours on the Blackmagic system. I just use the green for darker skin tones and the pink for lighter ones.

[@PixlByPixl]

This video couldn't have come at a better time, I've recently just started my journey into Cinematography after just doing photography for a few years. I'v been using C-LOG and even with the canon view assist I felt like I would mess stuff up and wanted to learn about false colors. My monitor arrives tomorrow so can't wait to put this into practice.

[@markbone]

Go crush it!

[@HighGravityAdventures]

Ive just discovered false colors on my FeelWorld monitor. Its way easier than the histogram. I am definitely on my way to a SmallHD soon…

[@anthonypc1]

I don't have a monitor yet, but I got a false color LUT from "DSLR Video Shooter" Caleb Pike. So I switch onto that LUT on my FX3 to check exposure and then back to my regular Phantom LUT. Only a few clicks with a custom button.

[@NARUHOTEL]

I can literally feel my rate going up as I watch this video.

[@markbone]

😂 heck yeah!! 💰

[@timdanyo898]

It’s interesting how the Ninja V and Small HD do false color. I do like the simplicity of the Small HD, but green, pink, and grey help to show more subtleties in the skin tones.

[@tbcmediaca]

Thanks for the vid! This was literally on my list today to do some refreshment education on false colors. Universe works in mysterious ways. Thanks a billion Mark for every bit of work that you put into these vids!🤘

[@markbone]

Your prayers were answered 🙏🏻

[@tbcmediaca]

@@markbone I’m very interested in the AOD. I watched the trailer and would just like to understand a little better if this course is what I’ve been looking for. I watch countless hours on KZbin, and like you mentioned in the trailer, it’s difficult to find the true knowledge behind film making. I want to make a living creating films as I love the feeling that perfect visuals, audio and perspectives can create, my trouble is that I am spread thin right now with my media biz up keeping clients media at rates that don’t justify the effort and time put in; I’m also building their businesses while mine just stays afloat. This is long but in short, from your experience, would the AOD make a difference in my work to be able to command a higher ticket, and at the same time allow me to deliver a product that the viewer will truly love? I love your educational content, I’m typically a low tech, run-and-gun style guy and I would like to create an intuitive shooting style that is based on the rules but not bound by them. Hope that makes sense. Finding a path that pays the bills and getting to continue my pursuit of passion is the goal. Thanks Mark

[@AndrewLXiong]

I normally just use the histogram to check exposure but this is really so important to know as well, thanks for sharing!

[@charleshambleton7722]

Thx Mark, good stuff! ☮️❤️🎥👊🏻

[@markbone]

Glad you enjoyed it Charles

[@tobiolatunji]

I'm with you on the not-so-straightforward false colours. I have a monitor that has the same false colour scheme as the one you showed in the video. Too many greys! I always have to over expose first, then bring it down from the yellow zone to the first grey colour I see. Also, about the white shirts...hate white shirts and their reflectivity.

[@michaeljibrin-roadtothecity]

Thanks for this Mark! I’ve really struggled setting the right exposure with the Basecamp matte box especially. Thanks again 🙏🏾

[@Limeaid33]

EXCELLENT training video !! I'm subscribing.... Thank you !

[@OrangeJungle]

Lol this guy just explained it better than these other 3 ppl I watched. None of them were as good as you either tbh your sets seem super legit !

[@djepodjepo]

Mark, I'm an AOD student (Module 1-2-3), currently watching Module 1, and was just thinking about false colors. And then you put this video online. lol. Just wanted to say to everyone who has doubts about the AOD course: take out your wallet, pay these guys and don't look back. It's a no-brainer.

[@MiaogisTeas]

Coming from photography I thought I was nailing my exposure through using the histogram and waveforms. False colors never made sense to me. Just recently I shot a short corporate doc and the exposure of two different interviews (while exactly the same looking on the histogram) were so different when compared in post. Watching this, I now know I should have used false color.

[@andrewchaplin6131]

Great vid - thank you. Blackmagic false colours are excellent! Just different to yours.

[@markbone]

You’re a genius or a engineer if you can decipher them on the fly! IMO

[@andrewchaplin6131]

@@markbone I'm weird - there I admitted it. Keep up the good work!

[@flochfitness]

Awesome stuff Mark!

[@markbone]

Thanks brother

[@binaryinfections]

Great video and I agree, I first used Blackmagic false colors and was confused sometimes reading it fast and took longer but love SmallHD

[@jestipiti]

Thank you so much Mark for those advices :)

[@markbone]

You’re most welcome

[@GlennHanns]

Waveforms is the best tool that gives you direct readings that are accurate from various camera manufacturers, false colours are manufacturer specific so there is no standard. Every monitor and camera manufacturer has their own version of false colours so it can be misleading for a lot of people who don’t know this. Any camera or monitor reads IRE the same.

[@jayphoenixBahamas]

This is such an awesome video - can’t wait to test this later

[@TheGoodContent37]

Just eye ball it. Works every time.

[@Money_Decoded_]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤️

[@andresmora3825]

I started using false colours on a Atomos but is really confusing with the grays ! It’s interesting cause on log I feel I am over exposing but in the false says it’s good!!! Learning….

[@darrengodssonfielding]

Thank you Mark for these helpful & practical tips.

[@jeam1998]

Man… I’m new here and now is my favorite channel. Keep it up!

[@markbone]

Welcome aboard!

[@stephencaserta2969]

probably a separate video but would have loved to hear your thoughts on nailing exposure while also matching the lighting to the background- I see a lot of films that look 'lit'. matching the key to the background is a underdeveloped skill. imo.

[@The_Daliban]

Smallhd has el zones as well. Even better than false color🙏🏻

[@sarge12k]

Very helpful, Mark, thank you.

[@markbone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@swritupriya]

I follow you and you are incredible with your teaching explanation and i am a student of cinemtography In UCLA . Because you explain with so much smoothness ,if you could explain the 180 degree rule , whne to break, when to men, etc . Will be of great help:)

[@markbone]

Are you talking about the 180 shutter or jumping the “axis”?

[@swritupriya]

I am talking about jumping the axis :)

[@darealphantom]

This is a great informative video not too technical (it’s always confusing) & the smallhd monitor isn’t too expensive definitely will be purchasing

[@AlexAbsolute]

Small HD's false colour looks on point, I've been having the exact issue you said with my Atomos Ninja V

[@BBDigitalArts]

Great video as per Mark, I reeeeally need to invest in a monitor oh and you’re the first person I’ve heard use the colour Fuchsia…..lovely plants lol 🤗

[@IsaacSuttleFilms]

Dude, such a great and educational video. Thanks for this! Really wish the FX3 had false colors built in.

[@timdanyo898]

With the tiny low res screen on the FX3 it probably wouldn’t help all that much. Sony sort of pushes us into getting monitors..

[@danielmcdonnell9084]

I needed this video!

[@AdamSzarmack]

I’m a Blackmagic guy and adopted a fully braw workflow a few years ago. Next best way to avoid bad exposures. Not sure I could ever go back.

[@aujax1]

i always monitor with a lut (probably should look at my log image more) and expose based on that. but i should expose with false color more. 70 ire on skintones is new to me but it sounds like a good benchmark.

[@nicklong7442]

I freaking love Blackmagic's false color and i preferred it over every other system... After seeing this video I totally see what you're saying about it compared to the SmallHD system -- you just blew my mind. I've got a SmallHD for 1st ACing so building out some pages for this! Love it dude thanks a ton.

[@markbone]

You’re most welcome Nick!

[@peterlamshed3688]

Hi Mark, great video...unfortunately I cannot buy the Action 5 in Australia. And I love the way you can toggle throught the LUT and False colour. The next best I can buy is the Godox GM6S. What are your thoughts on this? I don't thing the Godox will function the same with the toggling. Cheers, Pete

[@-austinsmith]

Hey Mark, thanks for the helpful video and insight. I do have a question though. My monitor gives me the option to view false color with both the LOG and the LUT. Which should I be overlaying false color with to judge exposure? I realized today that I get 2 different false color readings when false color is enabled and I switch between the LOG and the LUT I have. Thanks in advance.

[@mOo84]

Ever find an answer to this?

[@contactojaime]

Super usefull videdo. Thanks swo much Mark. BTW: you use the Spectrum 1 style correct?

[@TheSoundBrothersTV]

Thanks for this tutorial love it. When is it ok for you to have overexposed elements in the frame? What about a frame with the sun in the frame?

[@markbone]

The actually shape of the sun will most likely always be overexposed but that’s okay, look to expose for the sky at the least

[@peterfamosa6534]

I look forward to new videos on this topic from you!

[@markbone]

As do i

[@agustinmunozrocha]

Love your honesty

[@kevinvainio]

The log emoji 😂 Actually laughed out loud. Awesome video, thank you Mark!

[@markbone]

😂

[@MarcoCasadO]

Great and helpful... thanks

[@markbone]

Glad it was helpful!

[@handwoundpickups6555]

Great video thanks 👍

[@romulo560]

Man this is soooo helpful, I wish I knew this years ago. I signed up for the AOD wait list. What did cinematographers/filmmakers use to expose correctly before the false color technique?

[@Superjeanmarc]

If you can't afford SmallHD I also recommend Portkeys (I have the BM5 III) it has two different false color, the ARRI one and a proprietary one which I think makes much more sense the Black Magic one that Mark demonstrate in the video.

[@ienpassi]

Thank you ....

[@daredevil8517]

I am a DOP and I frequently use false colour to get my exposure correct. But, as a practice I don't apply LUT on the grade. If my values are spot on i.e exposure that is below IRE 70 I can get a pretty solid look as I get the footage on DaVinci. LUT is a great tool on set but won't apply it on the final outcome, thus giving me the freedom to underexpose if the story requires rather than just crushing it all down on grade.

[@florentdevier]

Found a method that i love now it's putting zebras around 60 IRE (or whatever is the best IRE for you cam and skin), then use histogram or false color to avoid under exposing. Be sure your subject always have zebra on the face and you' good !

[@mainakbanerjee8634]

Thanx a Lot for Such a straight to the point explanation on Exposure..Could you please suggest a budget monitor which is good to shoot with during the hard sunlight ...as most of them is not visible with hardf sun light

[@Finsterwald_]

can I also use this to exposure objects like a computer case, a car etc.? They also need to be green right?

[@RaphealPersaud]

Thanks for the great advice Mark!

[@rafael_daguerre]

Hey! Very good video. One question: do you use EL Zone today? Or do you still use False Colors?

[@benjamin.kelley]

This is something I struggled with for a long time using Canon Clog3 on the R6 - I kept trying to expose for skin tones around 65 IRE, but I think the zebras are about one stop overexposed when I set them to 65 IRE. No waveform, and no false color, so annoying!

[@ryanguidofilms]

What do you find best now setting wise for the R6? This is something I struggle with as well

[@ryanguidofilms]

Like best IRE? I've heard is typically very good

[@Geekistaan]

Fantastic tips here!

[@dukebozikowski3801]

This is amazing! Good on you for knowing to expose slog3 at 70 ire instead of 40-42 ire like Sony tells you!

[@markbone]

70 works for my LUTS

[@nevermindykyr14]

Sony tells you this for the LOG image, not when the LUT applied. 42 IRE on log, is close to 70 ire with a Rec709(800) LUT applied.

[@dukebozikowski3801]

@@nevermindykyr14 I’m confused. Isn’t it better practice to shoot at a higher IRE (like 70) with log and then have the lut bring it down to 40 in post? Wouldn’t bringing the image up expose more noise?

[@carbon_originals]

How do you deal with dark skin on bright sunny days, still go with the green? Also, how are you keeping an eye on focus peaking when using false color? My greatest fear has not been nailing focus.

[@aperturefilm]

Hi mark, you forgot to add a critical point here, some monitors cannot be trusted for false color, I once used the Andycine a6 plus false color and and the Blackmagic built it false color and noticed some variations in their IRE but I find that the build in camera was not accurate, maybe you could cover this to another content.

[@fatar9075]

Great video! One question. There are so many LUTS out there. How do you know which LUT to use when going through the steps you recommend? Thanks!

[@thejackoss]

Would be good to point out that the IRE value at which white skin is correctly exposed also depends on the camera you're recording with. Alexa cameras for example would recommend using a 50 IRE value for light skin tones.

[@AnthonyEynard]

Maybe this is a silly question, but are the IRE values you're using to gauge exposure based on the False Colors applied over the log footage, or do you have the LUT visible then view the False colors for that LUT? I have a Ninja Flame that has a rec709 monitor conversion built in for slog 3 and when I enabled that the IRE values are much higher for the entire image that they are with just the log footage appearing on the monitor.

[@drumsonly25]

PRICELESS INFO THANK YOU!

[@scotey]

Great video. Do all the SmallHD monitors including the swiping interface you showed here? That alone seems like a game-changer.

[@AbdulAziz-rc4nk]

very helpful thank you

[@Janni51]

Thanks for that video! Does the false color on your small HD monitor the Out or the Log footage? I found myself in a position lately that my false color monitored my Out and the log footage came out way too dark..

[@jasonduncan139]

Can you add the "save" button? Would be great so I can remember to watch again.

[@peterkertesz2861]

Hey! Great content - I do have a question which is confusing to me. Waveforms - when shooting in Slog3 (Sony) and Using the rec709 Lut monitor , do I based the Waveform of the Slog3 or the Lut?