What is color grading?
Color grading is the process of changing a video’s color, contrast, and tone to give it a certain cinematic look or achieve a desired aesthetic. In video editing, this step follows color correction, which makes the video appear more natural.
Professional video editing software has features like color wheels, curves, and LUTs (Look-Up Tables), which help with detailed color manipulation.
Note: A LUT is a preset that applies a specific color grading look to your video.
Since the color grade can impact the viewer’s perception of the story, you have to make sure the color grade is consistent throughout to maintain visual coherence. For instance, desaturated tones make a scene appear bleak, while vibrant colors can lend energy to a scene.
How to do proper color grading?
Start by adjusting the overall exposure, contrast, and white balance of the footage. Then, fine-tune specific colors using color wheels and curves to achieve the desired mood or style.
What is the first rule in color grading?
Make sure that the video is properly color-corrected before grading. This involves fixing exposure, white balance, and basic color accuracy to create a neutral baseline.
How to learn color grading for beginners
Beginners can learn color grading via YouTube tutorials, experimenting with free software, and practicing with basic tools like color wheels and LUTs.
