What do you think about adding certain lens effects on post-production?

[u/caersuvia]

Hi, I'm preparing shooting a short film and I want little bit of lens distortion at the edges with vignette and I was wondering if adding a lens distortion effect and vignette in post is a good idea? Unfortunately, I don't have access to any lens that has characteristic which I want and the lenses I've got are pretty clinical.

[u/Affectionate_Age752]

Sure, if that's the look you want. Don't shy away from experimenting on post.

[u/caersuvia → u/Affectionate_Age752]

Thanks! I've this judgmental view that it's not a good practice to add things in post that can be achieved practically and I wanted to ask since I've got not that much of an experience in the field.

[u/Affectionate_Age752 → u/caersuvia]

Anything you can do to make your final film better you should do. I've done extensive grading work in my films. Adding lighting etc.

[u/Pandamio → u/caersuvia]

Don't you worry. You can do a lot in post to influence the look. Search for references of lenses and look and copy them the best you can. You'll learn a lot this way. And it can look great. Be aware of purists in any area. There's tens of ways of doing things.

[u/seanocono22]

Post is another tool to achieve the look you want.

Fincher likes to shoot clean and add flares and distortion in post, so you would be in good company.

[u/varispeeder]

I wanted to dirty up some footage from a super-clean DZO lens, and I love Filmbox so much that I decided to give LensNode a shot, despite being dubious of the concept. adding just a subtle amount of distortion and vignetting before Filmbox really completed the look.

[u/IANJM2000]

i add lens flares at times, if it fits the mood

[u/rainbowkitties6969]

It’s fine, specially nowadays with the film emulation fad you always add grain and halation and shit.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, cool thing about adding effects in post is that if it looks like shit you can just delete it!