Tag Archives: Color Profile

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[Note: This is not another tutorial on simply using LightRoom. It's actually a much faster method that only uses Adobe Lightroom to create a custom Preset.]

Let me start by saying, the best way to edit the CinemaDNG files from the BlackMagic Design cameras is to use Davinci. Of course these RAW files are nothing but still images, so if many of you favor Adobe Lightroom for editing pictures, here's a little tip on how to save it as a preset to use in Adobe Camera RAW.

I tend to like the workflow and layout of Adobe Lightroom, especially on how well it can clean up noise if you have grainy footage. I think it's much faster [and better] than trying to run 'noise reduction' software once it's laid out in your video timeline. The problem is that Lightroom can be pretty slow to export your images once you're done editing. So this technique will allow you to make changes to one CinemaDNG file and apply it to all the files through the Camera RAW app.

If you shoot RAW with a Canon DSLR + Magic Lantern, you may already be familiar with using Camera RAW. If you haven't done this already, now you can start your edits with Adobe Lightroom, and finish the entire sequence of images through Camera RAW.

Summary of Steps
Step 1) Take one RAW image into Adobe Lightroom, tweak your settings, and then export to DNG.
Step 2) Open your exported DNG image in Adobe Photoshop and this should bring up Camera RAW.
Step 3) Save the preset and close Camera RAW.
Step 4) Now open all of your BMPCC RAW images in Photoshop (should launch Camera RAW) and Load the Preset.
Step 5) Make sure to 'Select All' and synchronize to apply to all frames.
Step 6) Save Images > Export to Folder

Once you have all of your color corrected images saved from Camera RAW, you can easily bring them into your video editor similar to a Timelapse project. Depending on what format was used during the export process (JPEG, TIFF), you will still have some lateral to color correct / grade within your editing software.