This may be obvious, but maybe someone will find it useful

While trying to improve the image quality of a clip,  I found that simply by stretching the luminance of an image I could vastly improve the way it looks

I did use the color correction editor here and there, but most of the correction was with the base color correction playing with the luminance - pushing the black down and the gamma up.

here is the original (posted previously in another thread)

http://www.vimeo.com/5428910

and here is the fixed version

http://www.vimeo.com/5628916

Do you see an improvement, or did I over do it ?

Hum, I am not sure it's better. A little bit washed out on originally darker clips and too contrasty on others that was correct IMHO. You loose all the details in the blacks.

I'm with Sylvain.

Yep some of the original did need correcting, but you've pushed it a bit far.

OK I'll have another go

Thanks

Yes, you pushed too far. Take the time to monitor your work with the waveform of the colorcorrection editor.

I agree, you need to correct some underexposed clips (in the original).

Heres my next attempt

http://www.vimeo.com/5703413

 I don't know how to use the waveform editor - I'll have to invest some time on it....

It looks better. You did a better job. The last section with the cows are ok without any correction, but the correction can give an artistic look!

You would have better results with a better camera. But you have to use what you already have!

About the waveform, there is few people that really know how to use it, but it is so useful! Just make a google search about it (and vectorscope).

lol

What is your camera? Is it a 3CCD or 3 CMOS prosumer or pro camera?

Panasonic NV-GS400 - 3  CCD - prosumer

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS400-Camcorder-Review.htm

You mean you were insulting the camara with out knowing what it was :-(

Don't forget that lighting condtions were bad....

BTW - what did you think of the clip ?