As all you know, the most critical issue with Spark is very contrast and saturated image. You cannot get any kind of flat profile as D-Cinelike, D-Log or something like that. As a result, it is hard to improve Shadows and Blacks areas of the frame. But it’s way too better then situation when you try to expose for dark areas and overexpose light areas in the same time. In this case, your Highlights will turn in complete white and you lose all subtle color details. Let me show you my way to preserve all areas of the image.

When you get on the shooting point, make sure you place your drone camera in the same direction as sunlight is falling (if one tries to shoot against sun and set exposure value right to Highlights, then Shadows turn in complete unrecovered black). Then go to Manual settings of your camera and fit Shutter Speed while EV turn 0.0. Look at the screen and check Highlight areas (usually it is sky and clouds). Continue to fit Shutter Speed while Highlight areas become correctly exposed (you can see as many details as your camera could pass through). In this moment, Shadows areas will be a bit underexposed, we will fix it in post.

When you got your image, go to the video editing app like Premiere Pro, Final Cut etc. Import the image.

You see your Shadows is underexposed.

Expose Shadow areas correctly.

You’ll notice Highlights turn overexpose. Go to Mask tool and pick up Highlight areas. Expose them correctly.

Hope it was helpful information to you.

You can watch my result in this short video.

Nice looking footage especially for a spark.  

Nice tips.

Vlas Posted at 5-11 03:42
Nice tips.

Thank you! What is your way to get right exposure on the contrast image?

DAFlys Posted at 5-11 02:59
Nice looking footage especially for a spark.

Thanks, appreciate it!

Lysak2003 Posted at 5-11 05:21
Thank you! What is your way to get right exposure on the contrast image?

A heavily modified 'zone system'. Determine what my most important highlights are and slightly overexpose them by roughly a 1/3rd stop.

Lysak2003 Posted at 5-11 05:22
Thanks, appreciate it!

You're very welcome.

Vlas Posted at 5-11 06:06
A heavily modified 'zone system'. Determine what my most important highlights are and slightly overexpose them by roughly a 1/3rd stop.

Agree, 1/3rd stop is OK for Highlights. However, do you get right exposed Shadows in this case?

Lysak2003 Posted at 5-11 09:31
Agree, 1/3rd stop is OK for Highlights. However, do you get right exposed Shadows in this case?

Good question.  Whatever highlights are important to my subject (generally in shadow), not necessarily the whole frame.

Good info!

Montfrooij Posted at 5-12 01:10
Good info!

Thank you!

Lysak2003 Posted at 5-12 06:36
Thank you!

My pleasure!

Good info.

Woe Posted at 5-12 07:27
Good info.

Thanks Captain!

Lysak2003 Posted at 5-12 08:09
Thanks Captain!

You're welcome Captain.