black and white

[sachin]

Hi everyone,

I wonder if there is any way in which one can shoot in black and white with an ordinary camcorder (I have a Panasonic NVGS250) or are such features only available in high end camcorders (if at all they are in such camcorders)?

I was also wondering how it is possible to get the effect sometimes seen in films (for example in Schindler's List with the girl in the red dress) where the film is in black and white except for one part of it which is in colour (usually a very vivid colour for contrast).

Thanks,

Sachin

[bsuttie]

Most editing packages will allow you to desaturate a picture to give you black and white.

For the effect you're asking about google "pleasantville effect" plus the name of the edit package you're using e.g. "pleasantville effect avid" will give you directions for how to do this in Avid

regards

Brian

[sachin]

Thanks for the reply. The only package I use is Windows Movie Maker. Should I be using something more advanced? If so can you suggest something? Is Avid any good?

Thanks

Sachin

[bsuttie]

Windows Movie Maker will certainly do black and white, just add the greyscale effect.

If you want to do more advanced things then you will need to step up a level. Avid have a wide range of systems from the domestic through to professional.

Their Pinnacle products are worth looking at. There's also Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Express or Pro for the Mac. Probably many more as well that I'm not familiar with.

regards


Brian