Integrated Calibration and Management of Color, Tone, and Image Structure in a Digital Intermediate System
Nestor M. Rodriguez, Richard B. Wheeler · SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal · 2008
As the number of feature films processed with digital intermediate systems has increased, so has the need for more efficient methods for reducing system variability and preserving creative intent. Unwanted color, tone, and image structure distortions might be introduced during digitization or subsequent image-processing operations. The presence of this variability makes visually seamless intercutting of source material much more difficult. This paper describes a system and method for automatically creating calibration functions that convert color, tone, and image structure into a common exchange space. After this calibration, the system provides features that allow the user to accurately preserve the color, tone, and image structure of existing films or create custom renderings that are faithfully reproduced when the images are displayed on film or digital devices.