Your favorite HDRx recipe

[Douglas Underdahl]

Hey gang -

Looking for your favorite HDRx recipe.

Simple blend in Redcine X doesn't seem to give the results I'm after. I suspect we should do a luma key in After Effects or other software.

Thanks
Douglas Underdahl
Long Valley Equipment

[Jaakko Rinne]

Create two instances of your footage in AE, both with Redlogfilm for gamma. One instance for X track and one for A track. Set footage on three layers: A track up top, X track in middle, A track at bottom. Set top layer to hidden, set X track to use luma matte (possibly inverted, can't check right now) from top layer. Set an adjusment layer with LUT on top of everything, to see what your output is going to be. Fine tune luma matte from top layer and X track levels with curves.

So what you'll end up with is this:
Layer 1: Adjustment Layer with LUT
Layer 2: (non-visible): A-track with curves for adjusting the luma matte.
Layer 3: X-track set to use luma matte from Layer 1, with curves for adjusting X-track contrast
Layer 4: A-track with a curves adjustment for adjusting A track contrast.

Not perfect for every shot, but good for many.

[Enrique Blein]

I've often wandered why RedCine-X doesn't offer more options for the HDRx, such as the one mentioned above and then have it exported in QTs

[Douglas Underdahl]

Thanks Jaako. I've seen some tutorials with Resolve and Scratch also, but your AE seems more straigtforward.