Underexposed or ok?

[lumietech]

Edited this music video with FCPX, used the waveform and highlight peaks @100.

Aside using a reference video, what are other best guides to correctly expose your film during editing & grading ?

Your feedbacks will be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Kim Welch]

Great question—and first, I just want to say I really like the music. It does sound like reggae with a bit of a Bob Marley–style influence. Nice rhythms, relaxed groove, and a good feel overall. If you can visually lean into that vibe and let the grade support the rhythm and tone of the music, it will help the video feel more cohesive and intentional.

When you’re exposing in post, you’re balancing technical correctness with creative intent. A reference video helps, but your most reliable guides are your scopes—not your eyes alone.

1. Use the scopes, not just the viewer​

Displays vary widely in brightness, contrast, and calibration. Scopes give you objective truth.

• Waveform (Luma)
  Think of this as your altitude gauge.
  0 IRE = black
  100 IRE = broadcast white
  Try to keep highlights below 100 unless you are intentionally clipping.
  Skin tones often land around 60–75 IRE, depending on lighting and complexion.
• RGB Parade
  Helps you check color balance and make sure one channel isn’t clipping before the others. Essential for neutral whites and blacks.
• Vectorscope
  Controls saturation. Skin tones should generally fall near the skin-tone line, without being pushed unnaturally.
• Histogram
  Useful for overall distribution, but less precise than waveform and parade for exposure decisions.

2. Expose for skin first​

Audiences forgive blown skies and dark backgrounds faster than bad faces.
Get skin tones into a healthy range and let the rest of the frame fall where it may. This matters even more in music videos, where mood and connection drive engagement.

3. Protect highlights, then lift shadows​

Digital footage breaks faster in highlights than in shadows.

• Slightly underexposed is safer than slightly overexposed
• Avoid hard clipping unless it’s a deliberate stylistic choice
• Use curves or color wheels for finesse rather than pushing one exposure slider too far

4. Watch broadcast safety if applicable​

If the project is for TV or strict delivery specs:

• Keep luma under 100 IRE
• Keep chroma within legal saturation
• Apply broadcast-safe or limiter tools at the end of the grading chain

5. Match shots before you grade
Exposure problems get amplified once you start stylizing.

A solid workflow:

1. Balance exposure shot to shot
2. Neutralize color casts
3. Match contrast
4. Then apply your creative look or LUT

6. Know the footage you’re working with​

• Log footage: Normalize first, then judge exposure
• Rec.709: Smaller, careful moves
• 8-bit: Be conservative—banding and breakup happen fast
• 10-bit: More room, but still respect the scopes

7. Final reality check​

Once the scopes look right, watch on multiple displays: a calibrated monitor if possible, then a laptop, phone, and TV. If it holds up everywhere, the exposure is doing its job.

Software options (budget-friendly to professional)​

Low-budget / free​

• DaVinci Resolve (Free) – Full scopes, strong color tools, and editing. Hard to beat at zero cost.
• HitFilm Express – Free editor with grading tools and optional add-ons.
• Lightworks (Free) – Solid editing; deeper color tools in the paid version.
• Playback tools with scopes (VLC, OBS, etc.) – Useful for checking levels outside the editor.

Mid-tier / one-time or subscription​

• Final Cut Pro – One-time purchase, good built-in scopes and solid color tools.
• Adobe Premiere Pro (Lumetri Color) – Subscription, widely used, integrated scopes and grading.
• Vegas Pro – One-time or subscription, reliable editing and color tools.

High-end / professional​

• DaVinci Resolve Studio – Adds advanced grading, HDR, noise reduction, and tracking.
• Avid Media Composer – Industry standard for editing in higher-end workflows.
• Baselight / Scratch / Lustre – High-end finishing and color systems used in post houses.

Practical takeaway​

If you’re cost-conscious but serious about quality, DaVinci Resolve Free is an excellent place to learn scopes and exposure discipline. For higher-end workflows, pairing an NLE like Premiere or Final Cut with Resolve Studio for grading is very common.

Given the reggae feel and relaxed rhythm of the track, letting the exposure and contrast breathe—rather than pushing it aggressively—can really support the music. When the visuals move with the same calm confidence as the sound, the whole piece clicks.

Short version: scopes keep you honest, skin tones keep you human, highlights keep you safe, and rhythm—both visual and musical—keeps people watching.