HDR Workflow: Scene-Referred vs. Display-Referred with New Tech?

Posted by Jason Fong in Cinematography 0 views · 3 replies

Hey everyone, as a gaffer working on a lot more HDR projects lately, I'm genuinely trying to wrap my head around the evolving landscape. We're using cameras like the ALEXA Mini and the VENICE 2, and the dynamic range these things capture is incredible. Monitors on set, even affordable ones, are also getting significantly better at showing us what we're actually getting.

Historically, I've leaned into scene-referred approaches for the flexibility in post, but with the push for more 'what you see is what you get' on set for HDR, I'm wondering if display-referred is gaining more traction, or if the lines are just blurring. With the constant improvements, especially in monitoring and camera processing, how do you see the choice between scene-referred and display-referred strategies for HDR content playing out in the next few years?

What new tools or workflows are you most excited about that could simplify this decision or even create new hybrid approaches? I'm curious about practical experiences and any insights you might have.

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