Using a mask on an adjustment layer

Question

Level 1

8 points

Using a mask on an adjustment layer

Is it possible to apply a mask (e.g. graduated, or shape) to an adjustment layer for color correction?

I have an adjustment layer that is affecting multiple clips beneath it. I'm trying to apply the color correction to only the center area of the clips by using a mask on the adjustment layer. Unfortunately this is also removing all video outside of the mask. Is there a way to only apply the color correction to a specific area in all the clips without also removing the video?

Thanks for any input.

Posted on Mar 8, 2018 1:56 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 8, 2018 10:01 PM in response to Jeff_333

Jeff_333 wrote:

…would like to turn into a dusk/evening scene. I'm trying to target just these white areas to bring them down and need to use an adjustment layer over multiple connected clips. …

just to add my 5¢ …

Dare to say, you imagine something, which will not outcome like that.

Tried a few things, upper left is your pic, unaltered:

(click to enlarge)

Now (upper right), lowering just the whites, gives an odd looking effect, due to blurriness of pic.

(tried using a LumaKey to replace the white by a starry night = same odd look, White is no color, and the Luma values of the white parts are too 'wide' to select)

So, why not 'coloring' the whole pic, as it would in real life? A sunset (lower right) would not only affect the 'white' sky, but, due to light spill, the leafs too…

Or, if you prefer more a Blue Hour, dragging the Highlight Puck into blue … (lower left)

No masking needed, imho.

Aside, for me, an AL is not meant for selective adjustments, more an overall, 'raw' overlay …

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Mar 8, 2018 2:02 PM in response to Jeff_333

Combine the mask and the adjustment layer into a compound clip. Can’t you use a shape mask on the correction directly in the adjustment layer?

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Answer 3

Mar 11, 2018 10:15 PM in response to Jeff_333

Jeff_333 wrote:

… Do you know if there's a difference between using color correction in the color board and using a solid color generator over the clip? Would one of these be more effective in this case?

… hmmm, we instantly reach the border of my non-existent knowledge about the math behind color-corrections 😉 For sure, a general 'overlay' handles colors differently than a selectively working 'filter'.

In short: just try LOL

… but when you like 'overlays', published a while ago a free plugin, using exactly this method:

http://www.fcp.co/forum/film-looks-effects/27398-q-kin-free-gradient-filters-for -fcpx

if your old enough (sorry!, not too charming … me grumpy Kraut harharhar) to remember analogue photography and then famous Cokin-Filters … it is inspired by that 😉

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Answer 4

Jeff_333 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 10, 2018 11:53 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom, thanks for your reply. I was using a mask outside of the color correction tool because I wanted to use the Draw Mask.

When I combine the adjustment layer and mask into a compound clip, the color correction on the adjustment layer no longer seems to have an effect on the clips below it. Any idea why?

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Mar 10, 2018 11:53 AM in response to Jeff_333

Draw Mask is a very tight control without much feathering. Is that really what you want? You could apply the draw mask to the adjustment layer, unless I’m really misunderstanding what you’re trying to do to the clip.

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Answer 6

Jeff_333 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2018 7:04 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

When I apply the draw mask to the adjustment layer, instead of just applying the color correction in the masked area, it removes everything outside of the mask.

I have a clip (fixed camera, green leaves blowing in the wind) with some bright white areas (daylight) that I would like to turn into a dusk/evening scene. I'm trying to target just these white areas to bring them down and need to use an adjustment layer over multiple connected clips. Is there a better way to pull this off? Adjusting only the highlights wasn't enough and using a color mask for white didn't work.

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Answer 7

Jeff_333 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 10, 2018 12:02 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter

This is very helpful Karsten, thank you for taking the time to try it out. I ended up using a solid color generator over the entire clip without masking anything, the effect is close to what I was looking for. Do you know if there's a difference between using color correction in the color board and using a solid color generator over the clip? Would one of these be more effective in this case?

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