videobeaux/docs/programs/effects/pickle_juice.md

pickle_juice

Description

Applies a stylized color-treatment effect that makes the video appear as if it were “dipped in pickle juice.”
This look often includes green-tinted washes, acidic highlights, sour midtone shifts, and a brined, stained aesthetic reminiscent of aged film submerged in an odd chemical bath.

Purpose

pickle_juice is designed for creators who want:

• green, brined, or chemically-tinted color distortion,
• a dirty, acidic film-wash effect,
• moody or surreal grading without using LUTs,
• stylized discoloration for music videos, collage art, or experimental edits,
• an instantly recognizable “soured” treatment that feels organic and gritty.

How It Works

1. Color Shifting
   The effect pushes hues toward:
   • greenish brine,
   • yellow-acid midtones,
   • desaturated shadows.
2. Highlight Contamination
   Bright regions may take on a pickled glow, exaggerating chemical staining.
3. Tonal Warping Midtones may twist or invert subtly to enhance the brined aesthetic.
4. Encoding
   Output is encoded using global Videobeaux parameters (CRF, codec, pixel format).

Program Template

videobeaux -P pickle_juice \
  -i input.mp4 \
  -o output.mp4

Arguments

• (No additional program-specific arguments; uses global videobeaux options only.)

Real World Example

videobeaux -P pickle_juice \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o pickle_juice_styled.mp4

Program Output

Technical Notes

• Green-heavy color channels may clip differently depending on global gamma or LUTs applied earlier in the chain.
• Compression artifacts may take on a greenish tint, especially at higher CRF values.
• Works very well on brightly lit footage, where the “pickle wash” becomes more obvious.
• The effect’s strength may vary depending on the source’s saturation and dynamic range.

Recommended Usage

• Stylized music videos seeking gritty, acidic toning.
• Collage-style edits where each clip has a unique chemical wash.
• VHS-simulation workflows combined with bad_contrast or nostalgic_stutter.
• Color-driven experimental cinematography.
• Thematic sequences that benefit from a “soured,” off-kilter look.

Quality Tips

• Use lower CRF values to keep the color warping clean and smooth.
• Use higher CRF if you want noisy, grainy, stained artifacts.
• Pair with gamma_fix before applying for more consistent pickle coloration across the image.
• Combine with blur_pix for a soft, brined haze effect.
• Apply after convert_dims if producing platform-specific versions (square, reels, etc.).