This piece was updated on May 18, 2022.
Film, at its essence, is a feeling — a medium through which each frame is imbued with the kind of boundless creative potential and emotional resonance that sticks with the viewer.
From exposure to framing, context to subtext, each shot presents a tapestry of possibility, often overwhelmingly so.
Developing a keen understanding of the available options is vital when tailoring the tonality of a project to its subject. To do so, the most versatile and dynamic resources must be in your arsenal as it plays an important role in video production workflow — color grading.
What is Color Grading in Video?
For those who are just starting out or maybe trying to take on a task in-house, color grading may seem like a mysterious process full of wonder or something that is too complex to understand or achieve.
Color grading is the process of adjusting the colors within video or film footage in order to achieve the desired final result. The process can help to create vibrant, stylized footage.
Editing software is used to emphasize the visual tone and atmosphere of the footage, creating a polished final product.
In-Frame & In Post
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A common misconception is that filmmakers are bound to what is shot in-frame. While this holds true for certain factors, such as lighting and composition — necessary ingredients for high-impact cinematography, an argument can be made that how the footage is handled in-post is just as important as capturing the image.
Thanks to an ever-evolving class of post-production tools, complicated workflows have found an accessible niche at even the most casual consumer level.
For example, in the era of social media, it’s likely that business owners, brand managers, and social media experts alike have spent some time grading a shot and you may not even realize it.
Don’t believe it? Just check the company’s Instagram account.
Every hour spent applying and tweaking filters, image contrast, and a variety of sliding levels is an hour spent color grading and the reason is simple — it makes a difference.
Filters can evoke a mood or a feeling — be it tranquil contemplation or sun-kissed bliss. We can manipulate the subjective lens simply by adjusting elements of an image in post-production. When done properly, the results can be dramatic.
Yes, even the filters offered by Instagram can make a difference. These filters offer and quick-and-dirty method of color grading and sometimes can’t compare the real deal.
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The same general methodology applies to professionally color grading footage. Well, sort of.
For starters, rather than filters, we use Look-Up Table (often referred to as LUT). A Look-Up Table allows filmmakers and editors to save particular color grades as a template, like a color preset available for projects.
As a result of the LUT grade, while impactful, it should be far less noticeable — and for good reason, than the filters some of us are used to.
If the post-production work has been done well, the results should largely go unnoticed. Signs of manipulation should be invisible, and the final product should look seamless and natural — just as if it were achieved fully in-frame.
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So, how do we get here? As mentioned above, a great shot is born twice-over — first in-frame and then again in post. But before we paint the house, we must lay the foundation.
When on set or in the field, it’s important to film using settings and presets that afford the most versatility down the road. One of the most popular picture profiles that fit this bill? LOG.
LOG Footage
Known for its “flat” profile, an abundance of visual information, and high-dynamic range, shooting in LOG is a common consideration for the budding videographer.
When shooting on a Sony system, you have the aptly named S-Log and for the Canon users out there, there’s Canon Log or C-Log. Both are proprietary to their respective systems, so, a person who is shooting on a 5D shouldn’t expect to see S-Log2 under the profile settings.
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When exposed correctly, LOG footage is invaluable. It provides a high degree of control over nearly every aspect of the image, allowing editors to crush the blacks and bump the highlights as needed, providing a product rich in depth and detail.
The footage will begin to shine as you begin exploring the creative elements of the grade — and that often entails bringing in a LUT.
However, it’s important to note that you should not expect a “one-size-fits-all” solution for each grade. Every shot is unique and, as such, plan on spending ample time in Lumetri — or your color panel of choice, tweaking and tailoring the levels on a shot-by-shot basis.
A stellar LUT may provide a strong starting point but there is no silver bullet solution when approaching a grade.
While arguably one of the most-involved facets of post-production, grading the footage should always be taken seriously by any videographer — no matter how long they’ve been in the field.
Details which were once bound by what was achieved in-frame are now malleable and as such, creating a sense of tonal and visual continuity is easier than ever.
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As seen in the video and interactive stills throughout this blog post, the result of proper color grading photos and videos speaks for itself.
Be it capturing that coveted “golden hour” hue or conveying a sense of cinematic wonder, color grading provides a seemingly endless opportunity to turn great footage into extraordinary footage.
It’s best to start with a versatile picture profile. Then, it’s important to keep an eye on exposure, don’t overdo it with the LUTs. And like any other facet of the creative process, don’t be afraid to experiment.
When all else fails, or if you simply want to have something taken off your plate, these goals can be achieved by working with a professional who has the necessary skillset to accomplish the goal.
A tailored video production strategy complete with production can give your brand the attention — and finished product, it deserves. The creatives at Elevation Ten Thousand can take your idea and bring it to life, quite literally. And since it is second nature for us, you can have peace of mind knowing the project will be completed while you focus on the bigger picture.
Discover how we can put our cinematic color grading skills to the test for your brand.
