ITM - LUMA MATTES
WHAT IS A LUMA MATTE + PAST EXAMPLES:
- Similar to a double exposure photograph, a Luma Matte creates a transparent effect for video, and using the luminance values of the luma matte it creates a determine variable transparency.
- The effect can be seen in the show True Detective, where the opening credits has linked the characters to the scenery/environment scene in this show. Whilst doing this, it has created a dramatic look to this opening scene.
- Using a Luma Matte can enhance an image, giving it more of an artistic styling, or in the case of this TV introduction, adding meaning and character to the image, to give a greater understanding to a character, product etc.
HOW TO MAKE A LUMA MATTE IN A.E:
1) Import files into Adobe After effects, starting with your background. Once background is imported, make a new composition for selection. This will form the basis of the Luma Mattes scale. You can then import your moving image files into the project.
2) Drag your moving image (in my case, the smoke) from project panel to timeline. Place it over product layer, then hide this layer. Resize layer to fit the bottom of the layer.
3)Reveal product layer and change the Track Matte from None to
Luma Matte - If you can’t see this, you may have to toggle to switch modes (bottom of panel.)
4) Turn image to a negative. In Effects & Presets panel search for Curves. Select this effect and drag onto your smoke layer in Composition. In the Curves layer, drag top right corner to the bottom right and the bottom left to the top left. This effectively gives you a negative effect.
5) To improve the look, add a "Level" effect - experiment with the highlight hills, sliding this across the histogram and see which effect looks better after tweaking.
6) As appose to photoshop, we are able to experiment more with video motion - Go to Time > Time Reverse Layer or Time > Time Stretch. This will allow you to stretch the time and reverse your video.
(BELOW I HAVE SHOWN MY FIRST TESTS)
MY PLAN:
- After making my first test, I saw the opportunity to use this effect in an interesting way that would link well to my product. Converting the ink to black and white gave off the effect of smoke, which has an instant link to candles as this is what they give off.
- My plan is to create a dark desk scene filled with candles, with the smoke surrounding the scene.Doing so will make the link to the subject and candles more clear.
- I want to differ this look to my previous setups, but because I need to keep the link between this and my other poster, I plan to keep the same style scene but change the props to fit a church style theme. I feel that this will go better with this look.
MOODBOARD:
- I decided to look into how other photographers and artists have used candles in a way which gives off a haunted/dark church themed look.
- This allowed me to get an idea as to how I could best compose my imagery for the best outcome.
AMANDA NORMAN:
- Amanda Norman was born in 1971 and lives in Liverpool.
- She began shooting "Gothic horror" photographer in 2004 after discovering the difference between a snapshot and an emotive image. She has traveled to some of the most iconic graveyards. This is where Normans love of Gothic horror photography was born. You can find her work framed and on sale at my holistic shop in Liverpool at Gemstone and Tarot.
- Having researched Norman in the past, and always being a fan of her photography, this style inspired my idea of wanting to create a haunted style theme, because of the way she creates imagery that makes the audience feel threatened and uncomfortable. This can also be a way to draw people into her photography, with it being so different from what we see from other photographers.
KIT LIST:
- CANON 6D
- SIGMA 35MM F/1.4 (Lens for entire shoot)
- AMAZON TRI-POD
- PRO MIST FILTER (For halo around flame)
- NEEWER LED LIGHTS (FILL LIGHT)
PROPS LIST:
- WOODEN DESK (Main Base for Props)
- Yankee Candles (Main/Tea Light Candles)
- Cross
- Pictures Frames
- Books
- Candle Stand
- Food Colouring
SHOOT ONE:
- My first shoot with the smoke was very unsuccessful. I found the black background to not go as well with my lighting setup, making the background a bit too visible even on the lights lowest setting. This will need to be changed to a white background in my next shoot
- Secondly, the food colouring was not thick enough, meaning it dissolved too quickly and didn't create the smoke effect needed. I could retry this, and put the food colouring in the fridge (this would thicken the liquid) however I think I am going to switch to ink for a better effect.
- The container itself was also distorted in the centre, meaning it didn't capture the effect needed and made it look stretched out. I will need to switch to a non-distorted style of contained for my next shoot.
- Lastly, although I cleaned the vase, it appeared to have lots of bubbles from the water. I plan on using a slightly warm but not too hot water in my next shoot to prevent this.
SHOOT TWO:
- After making the needed adjustments, I was able to achieve the desired result for this project.
- I decided to change locations and setup - this is because in this room I had a plain white wall which saved me having to stick up paper. The desk here was also lower, meaning I could get closer to the camera, which was an issue prior as I only have prime lens' in my kit.
- Overall I feel the final product was very strong and will be well suited with my final Luma Matte.
SHOOT THREE:
- My final shoot was the Church themed shoot. This shoot was by far my favourite as I feel the haunted look was evidently there, however it wasn't too over-powered with darkness because of the white wall, making this shoot relevant to my final look without being too over done.
- I used the fill light to draw some attention towards the books and props on the desk - as shown in the third image (far right) without this light it is evidently too dark in this area.
- As seen in previous shoots, I have always used a mirror to reflect the scene. Choosing to remove this makes the candles more prominent - clearly identifying them as the main subject which I liked.
- I feel that the background could have been improved if I was able to get my hands on a stained glass/church/castle window - this would have added to the theme nicely.
WWW:
- The process was successful - I was able to clearly demonstrate a good final outcome for the Luma Mattes process, and using tools in after effects, such as slow motions and video stabilisation, to help make the effect even better.
- Black smoke compliments scene well - Initially I wanted to use white/grey smoke, but I feel that the black contrasts better with the white background and dark props - this helps give the image more of an eerie vibe.
- Props/scenery links well to this theme, and goes well with this process, with the smoke giving off the look of a haunted church scene which I really liked.
EBI:
- Experimenting with white smoke may have had a better effect and contrasted better with this style/scene.
- Adding more props in this scene may have helped to add more meaning to this shoot. Going back to a previous analysis, a church window/stained glass may have helped enhance this scene.
