ABSTRACT
Some cinematographers will even take the image to the extreme and shoot in “fl at” or “SuperFlat”modes-especially if they’re engaging in a high amount of postproduction color grading. Indeed, Technicolor scientists, consulting with Canon engineers, spent a year developing a fl at picture style, Technicolor CineStyle-designed to be the best fl at look for Canon DSLRs (see “Grand Canyon Winter” case study later in the chapter). Jeremy Ian Thomas, a colorist and editor at Hdi RAWworks in Hollywood, discusses the possibilities in shooting in a fl at mode:
(Interview with author, March 9, 2010)
Some people warn against shooting SuperFlat because it destroys the skin tones in post, but others argue just the opposite. 3
Thomas feels you can get a good look with Canon DSLRs without playing with picture styles: “Skin tones, overall color saturation, and color separation with these cameras [are] pretty incredible right outta the box. It’s really amazing.” But he also feels that as a colorist “these cameras” are great when using “the fl at profi les.”
