Saturated blue sky

[FernandoAndre]

In this video ( https://vimeo.com/54353927 ) at 01:09, we can see a very blue sky.
Assuming it's not a color grading work, what kind of lens filter or camera settings do I need to get this blue?

Thank you.

 

[Danielassault]

It could be many types of cameras, but seeing as there is a lot of shadows, it seems that this was either done with a high ND filter and/or closed aperture.

 

[kjones]

In this video ( https://vimeo.com/54353927 ) at 01:09, we can see a very blue sky.
Assuming it's not a color grading work, what kind of lens filter or camera settings do I need to get this blue?

Thank you.

Polarizing filter? Also noticed a few shots had a very washed out, pale sky. If this were New Mexico, USA, I'd say it's natural as our skies are often *that* blue .

 

[knightly]

Polarizer, specific camera, grading, time of day and direction of shooting. Getting the sunlight on the rock face raises its exposure in relation to the level of the sky allowing the camera op to drop the exposure level of the camera darkening the sky in relation to the foreground. I love bright foregrounds with dark skies behind them (sun to your back). Looks so epic as if it's been pregraded just for you.

 

[FernandoAndre]

Thank you guys. The type of the polarizer for this purpose is the circular polarizer?

 

[jax_rox]

Thank you guys. The type of the polarizer for this purpose is the circular polarizer?

You could use any polariser, just make sure you insert it at the right angle. Screw-in circle polarisers are easiest for those without a matte box

 

[FernandoAndre]

You could use any polariser, just make sure you insert it at the right angle. Screw-in circle polarisers are easiest for those without a matte box

Hm, I don't got it. But I guess it's one of these things you only understand when you have it on your hands hehe. Thanks.

 

[Danielassault]

A polariser is something that can be found on many sunglasses. If you own a good brand, there is a chance you have polariser in it.

Did you even notice, when looking through your sunglasses, and turning your head sideways, a lot of digital screens become dark?

It's a filter that works specifically to remove glare from a certain angle. When spinning around the polariser on your camera, you will get different results because it reacts differently at every angle.

 

[FernandoAndre]

I understood, Daniel. Perfect explanation!

 

[knightly]

Light scatters. Photons bounce around and come at you (and your camera) from all directions. This bombardment causes the sensor on the camera (or film back in the day) to add the colors hitting the same point on the capture plane raising the exposure and washing out the color information for that exact point in space.

The polarizer acts like venetian blinds for your camera (or eyes). It removes the scattered light coming in from the sides. Looking directly into the sun, or directly away from the sun, the light isn't as scattered as the light source is parallel to the line of view. 90 degrees from that vector though, all you get is scattered light. The polarizer does amazing things by eliminating those scattered photons and showing only what's in line with the lens. Colors pop in things that are reflective as the reflections are minimized and the overlapping colors are removed. The sky shows only the direct ambience rather than light from every direction lowering its exposure (brightness) and bringing it in range with the foreground.

It's most easily described as a series of microscopic scratches in a piece of glass that act as blinders or barndoors for the light. A circular polarizer uses a non-linear pattern of these scratches to achieve the effect.