In the past, when I used to record videos, I simply stuck with the default colour settings. However, starting in 2023, I began delving into colour grading. I’ve been experimenting with various colour profiles, including S-LOG3, HLG-3, and even pushing my GoPro to shoot in LOGB.
Before, I relied on a budget-friendly white balance card from Amazon. However, it posed challenges when it came to achieving accurate colour adjustments on the vectorscope, as the “white” and “grey” were not as accurate as they should have been.
Based on recommendations I found in web reviews and on YouTube, I decided to invest in the Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Duo, which can be used for both photography and videography. In 2023, this colour checker was quite pricey, costing over €200. However, during one of my Amazon browsing sessions, I stumbled upon a sale and managed to grab it for €185, including shipping – a welcome opportunity to save some money.
I put the ColorChecker Passport Duo to the test with videos recorded on my GoPro 11 and Sony ZV-1, as well as videos shot with my Sony α7 IV. Notably, my GoPro 11 was equipped with the GoPro Labs firmware, enabling me to record using a log curve to expand the dynamic range.
Sony ZV-1 was set to HLG-3 colour profile.
My next objective is to acquire the skills of colour grading to bring my footage closer to its original colours.