Should I post-process my videos to add contrast and sharpness?

[DavidBookbinder]

I'm just getting started, and video is a new world for me. When I do still photography, I do a fair amount of post-processing to enhance sharpness and contrast.

I've been experimenting with doing that with videos, and the results seem more pleasing to me if I add a touch of sharpness and equalization than they do straight out of camera. Below are screen grabs of a quick demo of what I'm talking about, with a 65% sharpness filter and 15% equalization filter in the VSDC Video Editor.

Thanks!

- David

UnprocessedAdded sharpen + EQ 

Is there any reason not to do that? The differences are subtle, but I'd notice them.

Attached are screenshots of a sample video "before" adding the sharpness and EQ filters and "after"

[GregReverdiau]

I do a bit of color correcting, including a bit of contrast with all my videos. I don't really mess with sharpness but I shoot with high-quality lenses and camera so I don't have to. The biggest thing is to get a good skin tone. Depending on the software you use, you can save those as pre-set and reapply them. If you shoot in a studio with similar lighting conditions, it will save you a lot of time. 

Unfortunately, I can't see the images you posted (not sure if it's on your side or on Udemy side), can you maybe repost them? 

[DavidBookbinder]

Hi, Greg. Not sure why you can't see them, but I'm re-posting the images in this reply. I'm gathering, from your response, that Udemy doesn't do additional processing.

I'm using a decent camera (Panasonic G85 with an Olympus 45mm lens), but I still like the slightly sharpened version better. I could make sharpening and contrast adjustments in-camera, but then they'd be locked in.Out of camera footageLightly processed

[GregReverdiau]

I still can’t see them but it looks like Jocelyn can 😞 we had this issue in the past where only a yellow triangle is showing, I’ll spreach out to support. 

[JocelynH]

In the thumbnail view, I couldn't really tell what the difference was between the 2 images but after I clicked and made them bigger, I like the "after" one more. The added contrast is nice and I think your skin looks less flat. 

So I'm guessing other folks will have a similar experience -- it might not matter much to people watching on a small screen, but the edited version will probably look better to folks with high res.

Hope that helps @DavidBookbinder!

[DavidBookbinder]

Thanks, @JocelynH. I think I'll go with it, then. It doubles the amount of time I need to spend rendering, as Camtasia doesn't seem to have these filters, but it's the computer's time, not mine, so no problem.

David