Contrast
Also known as: image contrast, tonal contrast, S-curve
The difference between dark and bright parts of an image. Higher contrast looks punchy and deep; lower contrast looks soft, flat or hazy.
Updated
What it means
Contrast describes how far apart the shadows and highlights are. A high-contrast image has deep blacks and bright whites, which looks bold and sharp. A low-contrast image has gray shadows and muted highlights, which looks soft, dreamy or flat.
Cameras apply contrast through their color profile. Standard profiles add a lot, flat and log profiles add very little to preserve detail. In editing, contrast is usually shaped with an S-curve on the tone curve: darkening shadows slightly and brightening highlights.
Contrast also affects how saturated and sharp an image appears, which is why a small contrast boost often makes footage look instantly better, even before any color work.
How it works in practice
Adjust contrast only after setting exposure and white balance. Use a gentle S-curve rather than a simple contrast slider, so you can control shadows and highlights separately. Watch the histogram to avoid pushing values to the edges.
Match contrast to the scene. Bright snow and sunny beaches already have a lot of contrast and may need softening, while overcast forests and fog look better with a small boost.
For a cinematic look, many editors lift the black point slightly, giving shadows a soft matte feel, while keeping midtone contrast strong and faces lively.
What to watch out for
Too much contrast crushes shadows and clips highlights, losing detail in dark jackets, tree bark and bright skies. That loss is visible as crushed blacks and blown-out areas.
Strong contrast on 8-bit footage can create banding in skies and gradients. Keep adjustments moderate on footage from older or small cameras, and add a touch of grain if banding appears.
Contrast changes the perceived color too. After boosting contrast, check that skin and sky still look natural, and reduce saturation slightly if colors start to look harsh. Comparing before and after side by side keeps changes honest.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip uses your footage as recorded and does not adjust contrast. Standard camera profiles give a ready-to-share look straight from the card, while flat profiles need grading before upload for the best highlight.