A lesser known attribute of Canon’s flagship HDSLR’s is their ability to program special looks onto your image, much like you’ve seen on camcorders for years. Although, there is a tendency to apply the “I’ll just fix it in post” mantra to this feature, there is a particular reason you don’t want to do that with your HDSLR’s image – compression.

Currently, Canon’s cameras record the image using the h.264 codec. This is great for keeping your file sizes small and manageable, and is generally good looking, however it is much more compressed than the RAW codec the RED community is utilizing, and also worse than most every other professional video codec. Why does this matter? Because if you are going to be touching up your shot using post production software like Apple’s Color, the high compression and low 4:2:0 color sampling rate of h.2.64 will degrade the image. The more effects you apply or the farther you push the image, generally the worse your shot will get.

Here’s the whole point. The picture style editor lets you manipulate sharpness, gamma and color. The Canon camera applies these picture profiles before it gets compressed, giving you the look you want without degrading the quality through post production. People are making some amazing effects and posting them online. You can even create your own, but I found a bunch just by googling “picture style canon.”

Here’s complete instructions on how to use the Canon EOS Utility to install a profile, plus a CineGamma profile free download.

Below is an amazing example of what can be done with picture styles. When finished watching the clip, click on the Vimeo logo to load this video on Vimeo, and in the movie description, you’ll find a link to other free downloadable picture profiles. You’ll definitely find yourself loading some new ones onto your 5D/7D.

Happy shooting from your fake Uncle Joe.