It's so-to-say fixing any slacks of the original footage. How am I to make any sense out of it then?Įssentially, color correction and grading are done with the same skillset, in the same software, usually by the same person, but in a very particular sequence.Ĭolor correction contains more technical aspectsĬorrection is more technical. In fact, the terminology used for color grading in post is 'CC' because 'CG' stands for computer graphics. To be fully honest, professionals in the field are no strangers to using those two terms interchangeably. What is the difference between color grading and color correction? Color Grading Vs. It seems mysterious and dark from the get-go thanks to the color palette. Knowing what subconscious effects different shades and light have on the viewer, you can contribute a lot to the storyline by simply grading the picture appropriately.įor example, The Matrix uses a lot of green hues and deep shadows to add a dramatic, futuristic effect.

Here, color psychology can come in handy. Adding artistic effectĪt the stage of actual color grading, the focus shifts to adding an artistic effect and stylizing your film in a specific way. Planning your composition, configuring your camera, setting the lighting just right plays a huge role. With that being said, forget about suddenly deciding on the color palette only in post-production. Of course, to create the desired cinematic atmosphere, creating a color profile must begin long before the footage gets to your computer. It all starts with a vision of what the final product should look like. The key to a cinematic effect is creating a specific atmosphere. Even though there are theories and guidelines on working with color and light, grading is always a creative process more than anything else. Important note: 'looks good' is very subjective. It can depend on the genre, emotional framework, storyline, or your individual style as a filmmaker. Making these adjustments will always greatly depend on the desired look. Download Free LUT Pack What is color grading?Ī crucial part of the post-production process, grading is about using color values, hues, saturation, brightness, and contrast to add a specific effect to the footage.

Davinci resolve cinematic color grading