Masterclass: Getting the Exposure and Colour Right
May 20 @ 7:45 pm – 10:00 pm
Session led by Peter Leverick
Getting the exposure and colour right in-camera can be the difference between a shot that looks beautifully cinematic and one that is flat, noisy or difficult to fix in post-production. In this hands-on masterclass, we’ll explore the tools and techniques used by professional cinematographers to expose images correctly and capture colour accurately on digital cinema cameras.
This session is essential for anyone who wants to operate cameras on club shoots. Whether you’re experienced behind the lens or looking to step into the role for the first time, this is your chance to build confidence and sharpen your skills.
Whether you’re shooting a short film in a dark interior, a high-contrast outdoor scene or a fast-moving documentary, exposure can be tricky to get right. We’ll break down the practical steps to mastering this crucial aspect of your craft.
Why it matters
- Shooting a dialogue scene in a dimly lit restaurant? Relying too much on the monitor could mean underexposing your shadows and introducing noisy footage.
- Filming a wedding outdoors on a sunny day? Your highlights can blow out in an instant, especially on white dresses or bright skies, unless you know how to read a waveform monitor or use false colour.
- Trying to maintain a consistent look across multiple cameras? Even slight variations in colour temperature or exposure can lead to a post-production headache.
What we’ll cover
- Understanding modern exposure tools Learn how to use in-camera waveform monitors, histograms and false colour displays to assess your image accurately
- ISO, shutter speed and aperture Understand how these three elements interact on digital cinema cameras and how they affect both exposure and image quality
- Working with Log profiles and LUTs Why shooting in Log affects what you see on screen and how to correctly monitor it
- Monitoring and interpretation How to rely less on what your monitor ‘looks’ like and more on what it’s telling you
- Real-world examples We’ll discuss how different lighting conditions can affect exposure decisions – from cloudy skies to harsh interior downlights, backlit scenes to mixed light setups
- Avoiding common exposure and colour mistakes Learn how to spot – and fix – issues before you hit record
This masterclass will draw on the experience of professionals who’ve made the shift from film to digital and know exactly what to look out for. We’ll also explore why many veteran DOPs held onto their light meters for years, and why today’s tools make that debate less relevant – but no less interesting.
If you want to be a camera operator on club productions, this is a must-attend session. It’s your opportunity to build your technical knowledge and gain hands-on experience that will make you an asset to any production team.
Come ready to learn, ask questions and see the difference that proper exposure and colour handling can make.