Post production replication of optical processing for digital cinema cameras using metadata

A digital cinema camera for recording images, comprising:

• an effects sensor configured to capture an optical effects of the digital cinema camera, wherein the optical effects are applied to raw image data capturing the images;
• a processor configured to receive an optical effects parameter, wherein the optical effects parameter indicates how to apply the optical effects to the raw image data;
• an optical effects data storage unit to store the optical effects and the optical effect parameter as effects metadata,
• wherein the processor marks the effects metadata with time information to associate the effects metadata with the recorded raw image data over time;
• a raw image data storage unit to record the raw image data using a sensor of the digital cinema camera,
• wherein the processor applies the selected optical effect to the raw image data according to the optical effects parameter to create processed image data while preserving the recorded raw image data;
• and
• a display configured to display the processed image data.

An apparatus for recording images, comprising:

• means for receiving an optical effects selection through a user interface, wherein the optical effects selection indicates a selected optical effect to apply to raw image data capturing the images;
• means for storing the optical effects selection as effects metadata;
• means for receiving an optical effects parameter through the user interface, wherein the optical effects parameter indicates how to apply the selected optical effects to the raw image data;
• means for storing the optical effects parameter as effects metadata;
• means for recording the raw image data using a sensor;
• means for marking the effects metadata with time information to associate the effects metadata with the recorded raw image data over time;
• means for applying the selected optical effect to the raw image data according to the optical effects parameter to create processed image data while preserving the recorded raw image data;
• and
• means for displaying the processed image data.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program to record images, the computer program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

• receive an optical effects selection through a user interface of a digital camera, wherein the optical effects selection indicates a selected optical effect to apply to raw image data capturing the images;
• store the optical effects selection as effects metadata;
• receive an optical effects parameter through the user interface, wherein the optical effects parameter indicates how to apply the selected optical effects to the raw image data;
• store the optical effects parameter as effects metadata;
• record the raw image data using a sensor of the digital camera;
• mark the effects metadata with time information to associate the effects metadata with the recorded raw image data over time;
• apply the selected optical effect to the raw image data according to the optical effects parameter to create processed image data while preserving the recorded raw image data;
• and
• display the processed image data.