What Is Color Grading & Why Should You Care?
Ever watched a film or scrolled through a video and thought, “Wow, this looks cinematic!”?
That’s color grading in action.
It’s the process of adjusting colours, contrast, and tones to create a specific mood or style.
Without it, even the best-shot footage can look flat and lifeless.
Want your videos to stand out? Mastering color grading is a game-changer.
Color Grading vs. Color Correction: What’s the Difference?
A lot of people mix these up. Let’s break it down.
- Color Correction: Fixes issues—white balance, exposure, and colour consistency.
- Color Grading: Adds a vibe—think warm, moody, or Hollywood-level cinematic.
In simple terms: Color correction makes it right, color grading makes it look awesome.
Tools You Need for Color Grading
Here’s the deal. You don’t need crazy expensive software to get started. Here are some free & paid tools:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free & Pro) – One of the best for pro-level grading
- Adobe Premiere Pro (Paid) – An industry standard for editors
- Final Cut Pro X (Paid) – Apple’s answer to pro editing
- Filmora (Beginner-friendly) – A simpler option for easy grading
How to Get That Cinematic Look (Step-by-Step)
- Fix White Balance First – If your whites aren’t white, everything else is off.
- Adjust Exposure & Contrast – Balance highlights, shadows, and mid-tones.
- Enhance Skin Tones – Skin should look natural, not orange or washed out.
- Use LUTs (Look-Up Tables) – Think of these as Instagram filters for pro videos.
- Refine the Mood – Want a dark, moody feel? Drop the shadows. Going for dreamy? Boost the highlights.
Pro Tip: Avoid over-saturation. It’s a rookie mistake that screams “overcooked.”
DaVinci Resolve Color Grading – Step by Step
Want to color grade like a pro? Follow these steps in DaVinci Resolve:
- Import Your Footage
- Open DaVinci Resolve and create a new project.
- Import your video clips into the Media Pool.
- Go to the Color Page
- Click on the Color tab at the bottom.
- You’ll see different panels, including the Node Editor, Scopes, and Color Wheels.
- Adjust White Balance & Exposure
- Use the Color Wheels to tweak Shadows, midtones, and Highlights.
- Adjust Lift, Gamma, and Gain for balanced brightness.
- Use Scopes (Waveform & Parade) to ensure proper exposure.
- Apply Primary Color Correction
- Fix overall color issues first.
- Use the Temperature and Tint sliders to correct the white balance.
- Reduce excessive color casts using the Saturation and Contrast tools.
- Use LUTs for a Quick Cinematic Look
- Go to the LUTs panel and select a Cinematic LUT.
- Apply it and fine-tune the intensity with the Key Output.
- Refine with Secondary Color Grading
- Want to tweak specific areas? Use the Qualifier Tool to select skin tones or objects.
- Adjust colors without affecting the entire image.
- Add Vignette & Final Touches
- Apply a subtle vignette for a filmic look.
- Use Curves & HSL adjustments to enhance the mood.
- Play around with Glow & Film Grain for a polished finish.
- Export Your Graded Video
- Go to the Deliver tab.
- Select the best format (MP4 for web, ProRes for high quality).
- Click Render and let DaVinci do its magic!
Pro Tip: Save your grading settings as a PowerGrade to reuse them in future projects.
Color Grading in Premiere Pro (Step-by-Step Guide)
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most powerful tools for color grading. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Import Your Footage
- Open Premiere Pro and create a new project.
- Drag your video clip into the timeline.
Step 2: Open the Lumetri Color Panel
- Go to Window > Lumetri Color to open the grading tools.
Step 3: Correct Exposure & White Balance
- Under Basic Correction, adjust Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, and Shadows.
- Use the White Balance Picker to fix incorrect colour tones.
Step 4: Adjust Colour Using Curves
- Use the RGB Curves to fine-tune brightness and contrast.
- The Hue vs Saturation Curve lets you boost or reduce specific colours.
Step 5: Add a Cinematic Look with LUTs
- In Creative, apply a LUT to get a specific colour style.
- Adjust Intensity to fine-tune the effect.
Step 6: Fine-Tune with HSL Secondary
- This tool lets you isolate and adjust specific colours (e.g., making skin tones pop without affecting the background).
Step 7: Apply Vignette & Final Touches
- Use the Vignette slider for a subtle cinematic effect.
- Make final tweaks to ensure consistency across clips.
Step 8: Export in High Quality
- Go to File > Export > Media.
- Choose H.264 and High Bitrate for the best quality.
That’s it! With practice, you’ll get faster and better at grading in Premiere Pro.
Color Grading in Final Cut Pro X (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you’re using Final Cut Pro X, here’s how to nail color grading:
1. Open the Color Inspector
- Select your clip in the timeline.
- Click on Window > Workspaces > Color & Effects.
- Open the Color Inspector (Shortcut: Command + 6).
2. Fix White Balance First
- Click on the Balance Color button.
- Choose White Balance and use the color picker to select a neutral white area.
3. Adjust Exposure & Contrast
- Open the Color Wheels panel.
- Adjust Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights to balance the image.
4. Enhance Colors with the Color Board
- Go to Effects > Color > Color Board.
- Adjust Saturation, Exposure, and Color for a balanced look.
5. Apply LUTs for a Cinematic Feel
- Open the Effects Browser and search for Custom LUT.
- Drag it onto your clip and choose a LUT from your files.
6. Fine-Tune the Look
- Use the Hue/Saturation Curves for precise adjustments.
- Reduce color noise by adding a Sharpen or Noise Reduction effect.
7. Check & Compare
- Toggle the Bypass Color Correction button (Command + Shift + G) to compare before & after.
- Adjust as needed until it looks perfect!
Pro Tip: Save your custom grade as a preset for future projects!
Free Color Grading LUTs (Because Who Doesn’t Love Freebies?)
If you want to fast-track your grading, grab these LUTs:
- IWLTBAP LUTs (Free & Paid)
- Color Grading Central (Free LUTs)
- RocketStock Cinematic LUTs (Free)
Examples of Killer Color Grading
- The Matrix – That iconic greenish tint? Pure color grading magic.
- Mad Max: Fury Road – Oversaturated oranges & blues? That’s a choice.
- Joker (2019) – Dark, gritty, yet vibrant. That’s expert-level grading.
Watch these films again and notice the grading—it’s what sets the mood.
FAQs About Color Grading
1. Can I color grade on my phone?
Yes! Apps like VN Video Editor, LumaFusion, and KineMaster let you tweak colors on the go.
2. Is color grading hard to learn?
Not really. Start with free LUTs and tweak from there. Over time, you’ll develop an eye for it.
3. What’s the best beginner-friendly software?
DaVinci Resolve (Free). It’s powerful and packed with pro tools.
4. Can I color grade photos too?
Yep! Lightroom and Photoshop have powerful grading tools.
5. Should I always color grade my videos?
If you want them to stand out—yes. Even basic grading makes a difference.
Final Thoughts:
Color grading isn’t just for pros.
With the right tools and some practice, anyone can create stunning visuals.
So, what’s stopping you?
Go color grade something amazing today!