What is Colour Grading? A Dive into the Creative World of Visual Magic
Have you ever been mesmerised by the warm, golden hues within a sunset scene of a movie, or taken back by the gritty, desaturation of a post-apocalyptic drama piece, if yes? then you've been experiencing the magic of colour grading without realising it. But what is colour grading? and why is it such a big aspect of visual storytelling?
Let's dive in, shall we?
The Basics: Grading vs. Correction
To start; colour grading and colour correction are not the same thing, although they do work hand-in-hand 9 times out of 10.
• Colour Correction is all about making the colour within a shot look "natural". It's the point where you fix things like overexposure, colour balance and white levels to make the footage look consistent. It's the foundation layer.
• Colour Grading, on the other hand, is the art of adding a feeling or mood to your visuals. It's where creativity comes into play when shaping how your audience feels when they watch. For example; Romantic, dreamy vibe? Warm tones and soft contrast. Eerie and tense? Cool blues and deep shadows should do the trick.
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Why Colour Grading Matters
Imagine you're watching the scariest, most intense horror film, and instead of dark shadows, moody greens and greys, the visuals are filled with light, bright, cheerful pastels. Instant mood changer!
Colour grading helps create a seamless transition between visual and emotional feelings.
Here is where it really counts;
1. Mood Setting: Different colours evoke different emotions, Cooler tones such as blue and green can give chilling or calming feelings, whereas warmer reds, yellows and oranges can feel exciting and inviting.
2. Visual Storytelling: Using grading we can subtly signal changes within a story. A shift from a desaturated palette at the start to a bright vibrant one at the end might reflect a character's journey from despair to joy.
3. Consistency: Throughout the making of a film different lighting setups and different cameras can lead to footage looking mismatched. This is where correction and grading come in to ensure everything looks cohesive.
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Tools of the Trade
Colour Grading started out as giant machines in expensive studios, but today, anyone with access to a computer can have a go. For free as well!
• Davinci Resolve (My go-to): A powerhouse for professionals, packed with tools and effects. Davinci is free to use, with the option to buy the full version.
• Adobe Premiere Pro & After Effects: Perfect for those who chose Adobe Suite as their integrated software.
• Kino: Winner of Apple's iPhone app of the year 2024. Used for mobile filmmaking and colour grading. £9.99 on the App Store.
• LUTs (Look Up Tables): Pre-set colour adjustments that can apply a "look" to your footage. (We'll get into these a bit more in the upcoming blog; "Fundamentals of Grading")
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Final Thoughts: Is Colour Grading for You?
Colour Grading might seem like a technical task, but at its core, it's pure visual art. If you love manipulating colours, evoking different emotions, and being able to add that final magic touch of brilliance to a story, this might just be your calling.
So, next time you watch a film or even scroll through Instagram reels, take a moment to appreciate the colour palette. There is a chance it was done intentionally, a conscious effort to make you feel a certain way.
Thanks for reading, Catch you next time, in The Colour Space.
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