80% Of COLOUR GRADING BASICS In ONLY 20 Minutes

Introduction

This tutorial covers the essential basics of color grading in just 20 minutes, based on Alex Bjorstorp's video. You will learn key concepts and practical applications of color grading, enabling you to enhance your video projects effectively. By understanding these foundational elements, you can dive deeper into each topic and practice until you master the art of color grading.

Step 1: Understanding REC.709

• Theory: REC.709 is the standard color space for HD video. It's crucial for ensuring your colors are displayed accurately across different screens.
• Practice: Familiarize yourself with your editing software's REC.709 settings. Experiment with different color profiles to see how they affect your footage.

Step 2: Performing Color Correction

• Theory: Color correction involves adjusting the colors in your footage to make them look natural. This is your first step before creative grading.
• Practice:
  • Use color wheels to adjust shadows, midtones, and highlights.
  • Aim for a neutral balanced look by correcting skin tones and removing color casts.

Step 3: Adjusting Contrast

• Theory: Contrast impacts the range between the darkest and lightest parts of your image, creating depth and interest.
• Practice:
  • Use the contrast slider in your editing software to make adjustments.
  • Observe how increasing contrast can enhance the visual appeal of your footage.

Step 4: Managing Exposure

• Theory: Exposure refers to the brightness of your footage. Proper exposure is vital for capturing detail in your highlights and shadows.
• Practice:
  • Use histograms or waveform monitors to check exposure levels.
  • Adjust the exposure in your editing software to ensure your image is neither too dark nor too bright.

Step 5: Balancing Colors

• Theory: Color balance ensures that colors appear true to life. This involves adjusting the color temperature and tint.
• Practice:
  • Use temperature sliders to warm up (yellow) or cool down (blue) your image.
  • Adjust tint to correct any green or magenta color casts for a more natural look.

Step 6: Exploring Color Grading

• Theory: Color grading is the creative process of altering the colors in your footage to convey mood and style.
• Practice:
  • Experiment with different looks, such as vintage or cinematic styles, by applying LUTs (Look-Up Tables).
  • Adjust saturation levels to enhance or mute colors as needed.

Step 7: Creating Looks

• Theory: A "look" is a specific color style that can define your video’s aesthetic.
• Practice:
  • Develop a signature look using color grading tools in your software.
  • Save your settings for future projects to maintain consistency.

Step 8: Utilizing Curves

• Theory: Curves allow you to make precise adjustments to the color and brightness of your footage.
• Practice:
  • Use RGB curves to fine-tune specific color channels.
  • Experiment with the curve shape to enhance contrast and color balance.

Step 9: Applying Masking Techniques

• Theory: Masking allows you to isolate and adjust specific areas of your footage without affecting the entire frame.
• Practice:
  • Create masks around subjects or areas of interest.
  • Apply color grading adjustments selectively to enhance focus on those areas.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you've learned the fundamental concepts of color grading, including understanding REC.709, color correction, contrast, exposure management, color balancing, and creative grading techniques. As a next step, continue practicing these techniques in your editing software, experiment with different styles, and refine your skills further. Happy color grading!