Lay A Little Black On Me

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If Warner Home Video's new North by Northwest Bluray has a kick-around issue, it's the somewhat darker tones. I chose these comparisons (lifted from DVD Beaver's NXNW page) because the 2004 DVD seems to deliver a more naturally-lighted version of what an agricultural area in southern Illinois might look like. (Yes, I know -- the crop-duster scene was actually shot somewhere around Bakersfield.)

Frame capture from Warner Home Video's forthcoming North by Northwest Bluray.

From WHV's 2004 DVD.

Not The Good Or The Bad, But The Ugly<< previous | next >>Around The Bend

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 22, 2009 at 2:32 PM

comment #1

zyg says ...

the top frame is closer to correct, both in density and color balance

bottom frame is overexposed. also, the sky is not that color when the sun is that high. bottom version has a severe red shift. compare the color of the road to the top version.

when given a choice most photogs will underexpose (or as in the case with a movie, render darker) in order that the high values don't get blown. result is a darker rendition of low values (like a dark gray suit) than the eye might perceive them. problem is, especially back in the days of film, emulsion could not record the contrast range that the eye can. so, when you shifted one way you lost detail on the other end. that's why the suits look so dark in the top rendition

that said, i think the top rendition suffers a slight green shift

Posted by zyg at October 22, 2009 3:29 PM

comment #2

Kyle_D says ...

Not that it matters, but I went to college in central Illinois and the Blu-ray looks much more natural to me, especially the sky. We almost never enjoyed those warm, pinkish hues evident in the 2004 DVD. It was all grayish blue.

That said, the Blu-ray does look significantly cooler color temp-wise. I'll give Warner the benefit of the doubt that it's more accurate than the DVD (Robert A Harris approved of it over at Home Theater Forum), but it certainly has a different feel.

Posted by Kyle_D at October 22, 2009 3:34 PM

comment #3

Bob Violence says ...

DVD Beaver consistently fucks up the color on their Blu-ray captures -- they're useless for this kind of comparison.

Posted by Bob Violence at October 22, 2009 8:24 PM

comment #4

StoneFan1 says ...

Wasn't it supposed to be eastern Iowa and not southern Illinois?

Posted by StoneFan1 at October 22, 2009 9:34 PM

comment #5

Glenn Kenny says ...

For what it's worth, that green shift isn't there when actually watching the BR disc.

Posted by Glenn Kenny at October 24, 2009 6:08 AM

comment #6

Strolzy says ...

This is the pull of the RED ONE camera. I'll tell this story for all the colorists who need to pick up a motherfucking camera because it is time to bring out the new methods of delivery. You fuckers need to move because time is short and I'm 36 and want to see it all: I work in a video/film equipment rental house. I just bought a home after arduous negotiations. The phone call where I learned the deal was finally done was captured by a friend on the RED (sly fox). I had no idea I was being filmed because the camera looks like a Dachshund pointed at a chip chart or 180 degrees away from it. So my coworker brings this quick clip into Red Alert and alters the picture like one would a still pic in Photoshop. I saw myself tap my temples and reach for a chair to sit in high contrast b+w, in bleach bypass, in an earthy desat and in negative. And each bore weight.

Posted by Strolzy at October 24, 2009 3:57 PM

comment #7

Ugg says ...

compare the color of the road to the top version.

Posted by Ugg at October 31, 2009 11:24 AM

comment #8

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comment #9

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Posted by bony at January 9, 2010 8:58 PM

comment #10

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Posted by aris at January 31, 2010 11:38 PM

comment #11

jimb12345 says ...

I think the pciture looks good. I am not sure what the problem is with the picture. I was able to see it good.
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comment #12

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comment #13