As a RAW stills shooter, I push my files quite hard as a matter or course. I expect to and often need to.
The image below was shot basically into the sun, creating a semi-silhouette out of the subjects, then bought back cleanly and brilliantly in post.
Taken while breaking several rules of common sense, but with little option, I was confident going in that what ever came image wise, I could deal with it. Not the case with video.
In video, especially using non RAW or even full LOG, just Semi LOG or basic colour styles, this is nearly creative suicide.
Having said that, I am very impressed by the relative flexibility of my files in Da Vinci compared to jpeg stills in C1 or similar. I am constantly reminded why I shoot RAW, but at the same time, I am learning to deal with a fine balance. Flat profile on the EM1x, properly exposed, takes processing well and Natural in the G9 is pretty good stright out of camera and has room (with modified settings), for a little more. I know if I bought a Black Magic camera, RAW video would be possible, but that’s when, knowing me, I would realise how close I could get with less flexible files.
I have made some mistakes early on. White balance, exposure and colour, even processign work flow, all have sufferred equally. From there Da Vinci has still managed to produce some decent results from the worst files.
My learning curve has revealed itself over time to include a need for a heightened awareness of importing and exporting parameters and the need to learn many new terms whilst inside the programme.
I will get there, but I must admit, everytime I feel I have a handle on something, I am reminded that I have already started to lose track of other things recently learned. This is how it goes and a problem of my own making in a world (for me ) free of other troubles.
My goals are simple at this point. Files in, processed for good sound and image quality, exported, passed on to higher authorities to do with as they will. So far, generally speaking, am doing these basics well enough. There are whle pages of DaVinci I am not even familiar with (Nodes?), but this will come as my natural curiosity to know more drives me there.
Patience Grasshopper. Patience and relentless determination.