Exposure...

[Van Royko]

So my straight forward question is- if you are grading RED footage with curves (for instance in REDCINE)- where is the ideal point for normally exposed caucasian skin tones to fall.

I mean I believe they are supposed to be at about 70 IRE but I dont know where this is along the curve.

And while I am asking the questions perhaps I could ask where normally exposed (average) black skin tones should fall.

I know 'normal' is a relative term but in this case I mean it to signify a 'natural reproduction' of skin tones.

[Lewis-M Soucy]

I know this forum is a nightmare to search in... :angry03:

This might help a lot (bookmark it!):

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=004538409993496633550:nmlowi0wk0c

[Van Royko]

Thanks for the link

I searched but I didnt find much concerning my question.

C'mon- one of you superstars have got to be burning to answer this one.

[Rich Schaefer]

This is very subjective! This is part of the art.

I shoot mostly commercials, half of them being cosmetics and skin care. I like white skin tone at around 50% to 60% in a normal lighting set-up. My mentor a fantastic Oscar winning DP likes it up in the 60-70% range.

When I do narritive stuff it can go darker. I did a werwolf trailer and I think I had skin at maybe 30-40%

Black skin I do more by eye. It is usually in the 40-50% range. There can be a large variations there. Some folks are very light and some very dark. Like I said, I do it by eye to make them look good.

Also you gamma curve matters ie: RedSpace, 709...