Okay, so today I wanted to mess around with creating some film-like effects, specifically focusing on that “Metro” look. You know, that gritty, desaturated, high-contrast style?
Getting Started
First, I grabbed some random footage I had lying around. Didn’t matter what it was, really, just needed something to work with. I dumped it into my editing software – doesn’t really matter which one you use, as long as it has basic color correction tools.
The Basic Adjustments
The first thing I did was crush the blacks. I mean, really lowered the black point until the shadows were almost completely solid. Then, I boosted the contrast. I’m talkin’ way up. This immediately starts to give it that harsh, dramatic feel.
Desaturation is Key
Next up: saturation. I pulled that way down. Not completely black and white, but close. I wanted just a hint of color remaining, just enough to keep it from looking totally lifeless.
Playing with Color Temperature
Then, I started messing with the color temperature. For that “Metro” vibe, I usually lean towards cooler tones. So, I shifted the white balance towards blue. Not too much, just enough to give it a slightly cold, sterile feeling.
Adding Some Grain (Optional)
Sometimes, I like to add a bit of film grain. My editing software has a built-in effect for this. I just dropped that on and adjusted the intensity until it looked right. It’s subtle, but it adds to the overall “film” feel.
Experimentation is Important
Honestly, a lot of this is just playing around. I tweaked the highlights, adjusted the midtones, and kept fiddling with the contrast and saturation until I got something I liked. There’s no one “right” way to do it, it’s all about finding what works for your specific footage and your personal taste.
Final Touches
Finally, I might add a slight vignette – darkening the edges of the frame – to further draw the viewer’s eye to the center. Again, it’s all about subtle (or not-so-subtle) adjustments.
And that’s it for my experiment.
