editing Footage from extreme light conditions

[Dutchboy]

I'm been making fishing videos for quite some time now, and they've slowly improved. However, when I watch them, on youtube or DVDs, I'm not satisfied with the lighting. I'm not using any filters at the moment and I'm using the zebra tool on my camera to prevent overexposure. But my video still looks pale and maybe overlit????

Example

Thanks.

Basically, I'm trying to export the best quality possible using Compressor for Youtube...

 

[indietalk]

Doesn't look as bad as you say. Will look better once it's color corrected.

 

[knightly]

I think it looks as if the blacks aren't quite set to zero. use the scopes built into your editor to make sure your images stretch from 0 to 100 (assuming they contain pixels that should be pure black and pure white), then adjust the mids to accentuate the gradation under or over the 50% mark.
-Mids toward darker will "Crush" the blacks, which will stretch out the >50% pixels making a darker looking image.
-Mids toward lighter will "Stretch" the blacks, crushing the highlights making an image that tends to have hotspots in the brightest parts.

 

[Zensteve]

I'm not using any filters at the moment

Try using a polariser. That can help when shooting things like glass and water. It also has ND properties.

At the very least you should have a UV filter, simply to stop random stuff potentially smackin' into the actual lens and damaging it.

 

[Dutchboy]

Thanks for feedback. I definitely need to throw a UV filter on there. I need to start using the polarizing filter more too. I try to avoid it with the low light conditions in the morning on the water.

About a year ago, when I got my camera, I found a custom preset somewhere online maybe and use it quite often. I actually never use my camera without it. I can't remember exactly what it did but I know it adjusted the red, greens, etc... I think it gave it a "film look", however I don't remember where I got it. It actually helps cutting down the light, however I think my reds might be a little too red, almost cherry red? Anyone notice?