LED Colour Science

Join New Media Manitoba and Onscreen Manitoba for this technical deep dive into colour science.

Calibrating LED lights, video walls, and software to be colour-accurate on camera has never been more challenging and essential. Learn how to to dial in colour using scientifically based means based on the camera's electronic chroma signal response. Brad Dickinson (former Senior Lighting Director at CBC/SRC) will break down repeatable workflows to ensure the best colour accuracy possible.

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When: January 22nd, 2025
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Where: StudioLab xR | C100 - 201 Portage
Cost: $199 not including fees and taxes

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Agenda:

Morning Session - Presentation Format:

Covering the physics of light and how the camera sees light.

How to measure and adjust to attain colour accuracy on camera based on the camera chroma signal response.

Colour reference guidelines developed by international standards committees should be used as the base when measuring colour accuracy.

A technical explanation of LED lighting, video walls and virtual software, showing their limitations and inherent issues when using them on camera.

Real-world examples of LED failure.

Afternoon Session - Hands-on workshop:

Putting the points we discussed in the morning presentation session to the test on camera.

Showing the entire colour pipeline and breaking down the silo approach when looking to create spectral harmony on camera.

Using scopes as a guideline, understanding what they show as we vary the LEDs.

Adjusting LEDs to compensate for camera changes.

Best methodology when evaluating and calibrating LEDs for the camera.

Evidenced-based results and will work with attendees to solve colour issues they have had on set.

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Learning Outcomes:

· The physics of light and how the camera interacts with various light sources

· The electronic signal response of the camera and how using that as a guideline can help obtain in camera colour accuracy

· The value scopes and international standards bring in achieving the goal of on-camera colour accuracy from all devices

· The nature of LEDs and their qualities that limit colour accuracy on camera

· How to accurately measure LEDs and adjust them to compensate for their limitations

· How virtual lighting, in software, can affect the on-camera look, as it is only emulating light. How the camera’s response can be used to calibrate those virtual light sources

· Currently used lighting colour measurements and how they limit your ability to quickly achieve accurate colour rendering on camera

Instructor Bio:

Brad Dickson– Lighting Video

Retired Senior Lighting Director/ Technical Instructor for 37 years at CBC/SRC, working on a wide range of CBC/SRC productions, including news, variety, comedy, award shows, sporting events, film productions and others

Brad created the world’s first all-LED-lit News Studio and the world's first all-LED-lit Olympic studio, Beijing Olympics 2008. He has also worked on film productions that hired CBC studios such as X-Men, Joe Q Public, Death to Smoochy and others.

· Panel member on the American Society of Cinematographers Lighting Committee

· Presented on the topic of calibrating video walls to the camera at the Virtually Everything Summit in New York along with SMPTE MTC presentation in Los Angeles on the topic of using the camera’s chroma signal to achieve on-camera colour accuracy

· Hired as a consultant by video wall manufacturers to assist their clients in attaining on-camera colour accuracy

· Co-created the HS Scope designed to achieve on-camera colour accuracy based on the camera chroma signal response

· Presented lighting courses at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore and lighting sessions for Broadcasters in Copenhagen

· Presented online sessions on the topic of attaining on-camera colour accuracy to a variety of professionals working in the production industry