Using Custom Curves To Emulate ‘Fill Light’ Adjustments

As always, some really useful information with the curves.
I do something similar by putting the node into a layer node and changing the composite mode to darken and applying the curve to the bottom node only.
Now although that works for me, I can see that setting up the middle grey would ( or should ) be more accurate to the colorspace. But as I think about it now, I am wondering if the composite blending modes on the layer mixer are colorspace aware, and set the middle grey point on the composite layer?
If they are, then the setting of the middle grey would be automatic and all the other great information you provided, could then be applied.
I jsut tested it and with the “darken” composite mode, you can push the curve above middle and it does nothing to the image.
Not sure how to test the accuracy of the middle grey though.
It seems like I watch one of your insights and I spend a ton of time testing theories. And of course, that’s what I love about them.
Thanks Cullen.

Glad you enjoyed this one Jim! And cool idea re the ‘darken’ mode! As I understand it, that blend mode is set up to always take the darker of two layered pixels, meaning you can essentially only ever lower (or maintain) your input values, but never raise them, regardless of where the pixels may sit in relation to a mid gray point. Fun possibilities there!

Nice! I would love to see your method of photometrically pulling down highlights that are too harsh!

Glad you like this one Roman! Photometric highlight shaping is a tricky but very worthwhile topic to explore — I’ve talked about it recently on my YouTube channel, but maybe we can dive deeper here on Mixing Light soon!

Hey Cullen,

You have been an amazing teacher. Thank you for being here!

I have a small request for a video. Can you create a video series on how to build the Film Print power grades? e.g. Kodak 2383 on our own?

I have made one for myself however, I would like to have insight from a pro colorist to know what parameters should be taken care of while making these powergrades.

With this FPE powergrades, it becomes easy to handle each parameter with their full potential and customise them as per project requirements.

Thank you!

Best,

Yash M.

You got it Yash! TBH, recreating a print stock using native Resolve tools isn’t something I’ve ever undertaken — certainly possible to get close, but not an ideal toolset IMO. But that’s awesome you’ve developed your own!