Color Grading in Premiere Pro CC - Get Pro Film Look

Introduction

This tutorial guides you through the process of color grading in Adobe Premiere Pro CC, helping you achieve a professional film look for your videos. Color grading can seem daunting, but this step-by-step approach will simplify the process, allowing you to enhance your footage and create a cohesive visual style.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with Lumetri Color Panel

• Open your project in Premiere Pro CC.
• Navigate to the Color workspace by selecting Window > Workspaces > Color.
• Locate the Lumetri Color panel, which includes essential tools for color grading:
  • Basic Correction
  • Creative
  • Curves
  • Color Wheels & Match
  • HSL Secondary
  • Vignette

Practical Tips

• Spend some time exploring each section of the Lumetri panel to understand its functions.
• Use the Basic Correction section first, adjusting exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks to correct your footage.

Step 2: Adjust Basic Corrections

• Start by adjusting the following settings in the Basic Correction section:
  • White Balance: Use the eyedropper tool to select a neutral area in your footage for accurate white balance.
  • Tone Adjustments: Utilize the sliders to refine exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Over-correcting colors can lead to unnatural results. Use subtle adjustments to maintain a natural look.

Step 3: Use Creative Looks

• After basic corrections, move to the Creative section of the Lumetri panel.
• Apply a Look or LUT (Look-Up Table) from the dropdown menu, or adjust the Intensity slider to fine-tune the effect.

Practical Advice

• Experiment with different looks to find one that complements your footage.
• Consider using a LUT that aligns with the desired mood of your project.

Step 4: Fine-Tune with Curves

• Navigate to the Curves section to make precise adjustments:
  • Use the RGB Curves to manipulate the brightness and contrast of specific color channels.
  • Adjust the Hue Saturation Curves to selectively enhance or reduce specific colors in your footage.

Explanation of Terms

• RGB Curves: Allows you to adjust the brightness of the image for each color channel (red, green, blue) separately.
• Hue Saturation Curves: Helps you adjust the saturation of specific colors without affecting the entire image.

Step 5: Color Wheels and Match

• In the Color Wheels section, adjust the shadows, midtones, and highlights to create a balanced look.
• Use the Color Match feature to match colors between shots for consistency.

Practical Tips

• Aim for a consistent color grade across all clips to enhance the overall look of your project.
• Use the color wheels to create a specific mood, such as warm tones for a nostalgic feel.

Step 6: Add Vignette

• To draw attention to the center of your frame, add a vignette using the Vignette section.
• Adjust the Amount, Midpoint, Roundness, and Feather sliders to achieve the desired effect.

Common Pitfalls

• Avoid making the vignette too strong, as it can distract from the main subject of your footage.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can confidently color grade your footage in Premiere Pro CC to achieve a professional film look. Start with basic corrections, explore creative options, and fine-tune your adjustments using Lumetri Color tools. As you practice, you'll develop a better understanding of color grading, enabling you to enhance your films effectively. For further learning, consider attending online workshops or exploring additional resources on color grading.