80% Of COLOUR GRADING BASICS In ONLY 20 Minutes

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Hope this one helps you out getting the basic concepts! If you nail these basics, you're very well on your way to amazing-looking videos! If you want to learn how to color grade more in-depth you can check out my Color Grading Course: geni.us/color-grading-course

[@NPC_averagemale003]

99% of color grading tutorials on youtube are demonstrated with perfectly exposed footage, followed by "buy my LUT pack, buy this 2383 LUT, join my masterclass". Nobody knows that the 80% of color grading is exposing a camera properly and lighting.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

I wouldn't say that 80% of Color Grading happens in-camera. However, the better the footage is exposed and lid in-camera the more flexibility there is to work with the grade afterwards. Those steps before the grading is filming expertise and definitely super important!

[@cesaramaral6003]

@@AlexBjorstorpI always question me what to do when filming outdoors, in an outcast sky, how to expose properly and what to do with the footage afterwards (exposing for the terrain and people on it, will blow up the sky and vice versa). Any thoughts on this? Considering I use a ZVE10 8bit camera.

[@UD503J]

Yeah, the way people are told by "experts" that they can LUT their way into cinematic footage is preposterous.

[@abdullahbangura8494]

@@cesaramaral6003get an nd filter you won’t regret it

[@VSN-wb2ly]

It's called basic correction

[@ayman_zakaria]

Without exaggeration I consider this the best tutorial for basics of coloring on KZbin, it is simple, understandable and reveals many points that most of tutorial consider unnecessary to mention, Thank you Alex.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

I truly appreciate that Ayman! Thank you for your kind words, I'm happy to hear you found it helpful!

[@linerk5925]

I've watched countless colour grading tutorials by this point and none of them have come even close to this. You clearly explained what each step actually achieved, and crucially the best order to do them in. Zero unnecessary information to confuse things. Thankyou!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Truly appreciate your amazing feedback! Glad that you found it helpful! 😊

[@Vlingvling10]

Totally Agree with ya @linerk5925!

[@paulz8750]

Finally, a video that gets straight to the point, without any banter I couldn't care less about. Personally, it was better than so many other videos out there & he's just gained another subscriber without the need for asking.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Appreciate it Paul! I wanted this video to go straight at it and share the most important parts. I 100% agree but unfortunately do fall into that category myself sometimes too - and especially in the past. But I'm working hard to make more videos like this, that are straight to the point and into the action 🙌🏻 Thanks for the sub too!

[@stonehillmtb1964]

I love this video, so easy to follow and understand how to start with grading. We are a bunch of swedes around Resolve sweden and I will put this link to that FB-group. Later on it would be interesting to talk about a swedish webinar around color e.g how do you know the color space from a certain camera and to use that in the best way in resolve. I see I have a few videos from you to catch up with.

[@uidentity]

Absolutely agree with others. Things explained in 20 minutes that I couldn’t get watching help videos for a year. You have a gift for putting these things together and explaining! Keep on!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Truly appreciate it! Took me a long time to boil it down to 20 minutes, so I'm happy it's been so well-received!

[@FellipeRodrigues89]

This is the most comprehensive yet easy and straight forward tutorial I've ever seen on this subject. Thank you!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Truly appreciate your kind comment, thank you! Happy to hear it was helpful!

[@gabsfairchild]

I literally screamed at the first tip! You explained it SO PERFECTLY. I don't know why I couldn't understand rec .709 for like a whole year. I was so confused but I FINALLY understand. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY SOUL!

[@1david.k1]

This video is the life saver for me. I've tried to understand what was all this color grading - color correction thing is all about, for several years already, I didn't even understand what was the difference between those two. Best tutorial ever, on the internet for the color basics. Thanks a lot!

[@primedestination-de]

probably the best colorgrade video ive ever seen on youtube.. keep it up man! insane work

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Cheers mate! Truly appreciate it!

[@balintshootsfilm]

As a beginner I found this video very helpful and easily followable, thank you for sharing!

[@waaahyu]

i think this is the one and only video you need to understand the concept of color grading, thanks man, love it

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! Appreciate it 🙌🏻

[@lenartceferin]

This has been so helpful! Just getting into color grading... I like to be organized, and having steps to follow is so useful. Thanks!!

[@SashithsSrinivasan]

one of the best explanation ever i seen in the youtube vedio thanks for creating this vedio this very help full

[@alvinniza]

This tutorial is beginner-friendly, there's so many things I learn from this video alone. Thank you Alex!

[@Vlingvling10]

Absolute Gold. The best 20 minutes (more like 40 or 60 when all was said and done) spent today! As a noob to this domain not knowing where to start, Davinci's Color bench is daunting. This video breaks essential information down into digestible blocks AND provides a solid workflow frame of reference! You've officially given the foundation to understanding coloring. Thanks!

[@francisianvlogs]

Oh wow! I really learned a lot from this. I have been trying to lear to color correct/grade for the past weeks and this was both informative and simple as long as you follow the steps carefully. I also like the workflow which I think I will be using moving forward. I tried this in the old videos that I tried to color correct/grade and the results were amazing for me. Thank you so much.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Happy to here that mate! Glad it was helpful and moved your forward on your creative journey 🙏🏻

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

Hands down the best video on this topic PERIOD! Thank you!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you very much! Truly appreciate your kind words 🙏🏻

[@herlambangtanosefren2350]

Finally find tutor straight to the point I watch from the begining ntil end,thank you

[@amigas022]

Thank you is not enough to say how much valuable this tutorial mean to me. With precise explanation double with the graphics, I enjoyed watching the video and now i feel more confident to tackle color in Davinci Resolve on my own projects.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful 🙏🏻

[@UD503J]

I'm more of a photographer than a videographer or video editor, but the principles shown here still work really well for grading photos. I'm a big advocate for grading with histograms which is really similar to using Premiere's scopes. Great video!

[@igorvuk4454]

this is the best log-709 and cc/grading tutorial on YT Period.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you!

[@fakesultan6923]

I’m sure you get this all the time, but thanks so much for making this video. Much appreciated and hope you know how talented you are!

[@DirectorBBHasProphesied]

This video changed my grading career. Thanks alot

[@aritraroy7841]

For past 1 2 years, i have been shooting and editing videos in my mobile only. Planning to buy a camera, so was exploring da vinci resolve, but the process seemed so complex. But you man, you made this seem so simple.. thanks, this will help a lot.

[@fmphotooffice5513]

4:00 A good place to "touch the bottom of the waveform scale" is, for example where a bare lightbulb is partially obscured by a black lamp shade" that MIGHT BE a line that goes from the lightest part to the darkest part of the shot.

[@ajdeins]

I think this is the best color grading tutorial I watched. Easy to follow and well-explained. Thanks for this bro

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! Super happy to hear that, truly hope it helps you out a lot!

[@Ankit._Sharma]

EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO LEARN IN DAVINCI..THANKS A TON. ALEX🍻

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You’re welcome mate!

[@oje101]

Absolutely one of the best tuts. I've see thus far

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you, truly appreciate it!

[@carvalhogabriel]

Best color grading video i have found on youtube. Thank you!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you!

[@JoshBensonOutdoors]

Easily the best color grading tutorial I ever come across. Thanks you so much

[@QualityVisionary]

Best video ever on color grading. I actually retained the knowledge 🔥

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! Happy to hear that it helped you out!

[@mywildlifestories3793]

One of the best video I have see so far Alex. Please add another video tutorial for rest 20 as well and parallel nodes and secondary color grading as well.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! I’ll see what I can do! I’ll definitely be making videos covering Parallel nodes more in-depth soon!

[@myreellifestory]

This is by far the best and straight to the point tutorial I have ever seen so far! thanks!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

That means a lot, thank you!

[@itellastorychannel2533]

Your tutorial is really great and great. It helps me a lot. Thank you.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Appreciate it! Glad it's helping you out!

[@prashantmore4133]

one of THE best video on Color Baiscs, Lovd it. Thank you

[@rethink368]

So easy to understand, you are outstanding in explanation

[@LamassuMedia]

Thank you so much for this video, this is the best explanation that I've watched so far. I'm no professional by far I'm an audio guy but sometimes I'm forced to do videos and this is very helpful.

[@landel_]

Amazing tutorial! The pace, the explanations, the examples, and also the touch in the editing, applying the effects when you talk about the subject.

[@Nasirgraphy]

Wow! You nailed it, i was working on it for the last 3 months but i didn't understand what is it actually, now its very easy to understand! thanks for your help!!

[@SooLabs]

Best explanation I've heard. So good. Thank you!

[@approvalflowonlineapproval4829]

Top Job with the tutorial. Comprehensive and easy to follow.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! Super happy to hear that!

[@kvd_content]

Awesome video. Color correcting/grading was super intimidating but this video locked it down and tied everything’s meaning and effect together very well. Well done!👍🏼

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Super happy to hear that!

[@jasonoson_]

You’re doing the lords’ work posting this for free my man! Thank you!! Much love 🤘🏽✨

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Cheers, appreciate it! Might've overshared haha

[@reuterss306]

Very helpful. I only film with my iphone 15 pro and am only interested in basic video editing to pimp up my personal footage of hikes etc. And I already know some basics from editing photos, but still I got lots to learn. The iphone 15 is marketed to people like you could easily achieve cinema-style footage, which I knew from the start is bollocks. From photography alone I know how important it is to have proper lighting etc...video takes it up a whole notch. But watching videos like yours helped a lot and my footage already looks a bit better from week to week.

[@MachoMaster]

What an awesome tutorial! I will be rewatching it many times for sure. Thank you very much!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thanks a lot! Super happy to hear you found it helpful 🙏🏻

[@AlisherAsylbek]

The video that I waited for whole life. Thank you!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Glad you found it!

[@tomdownes6961]

Excellent, excellent, excellent! learning Davinci, this just turbocharged it, thank you!

[@RyanSheppard-k8d]

Amazing job, brother. Greatly Appreciated

[@sanjayfgupta2167]

One of the best, if not the very best video on the subject. WELL DONE

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thanks so much! Truly do appreciate it!

[@hcl8836]

One step i am not sure about is to put the LUT conversion at the last spot. I use PhantomLUTs for my A7Siii log-footage. I only use exposure and white balance correction before the LUT since they correct offsets in the camera setup while filming. This way it provides the results the LUT was designed for. All other corrections come afterwards. I don‘t know what difference it makes if i work into the LUT as a final step.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Where you're putting the LUT depends on the LUT itself. If it's built to work from Rec.709 it should be placed after the conversion. If it has a built-in conversion then it should be the last node in the tree. And for the rest of your explanation, that's how I do it and recommend to do it as well. Corrections before the LUT and adjustments after. In the end it doesn't necessarily make a big difference but there is a difference to how the corrections and adjustment work with the LUT :-)

[@Krish-10]

Sir, it seems you've an amazing understanding of Pareto rule as well as Color Grading!! "80% of color grading in 20 minutes"... Truly amazing. I have a feeling that this video would blow up.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thanks a lot!

[@KalleBlixtHagholm]

Excellent video! I'm trying to learn the basics, after trying to salvage footage taken of a stage with low light and a lot of colored light that is making the subjects (two drummers) look very blue and/or red. It's been fun and I'm thinking of getting the micro color panel to make it a bit more tactile (also, who doesn't love new gear?). This workflow is certainly going to help me get things done in a more consistent manner, even if the footage is hard to salvage.

[@Rdjal-Talks]

Man, you are a LEGEND. Thank you.

[@geedubyah87]

I've been trying to find a video on how to contrast effectively, this was great, thanks!

[@valducept5335]

Thank you!! This was so valuable and complementary to my previous course!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome! Super happy it was helpful!

[@HamadMustafa-of7be]

This is the video i founding for me!😅 THANKS. . . Make more for us

[@frankguthrie2825]

I've been struggling for days watching so many videos and getting so frustrated ... then I came upon this video - Wow!! Alex, you REALLY helped me, thank you so much! I also downloaded your guide and will be purchasing some of your LUTS - oh yea, I liked & subscribed also. 😁

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Super happy to hear that Frank! Thanks for watching, liking and subscribing 🙏🏻

[@muhlurindleve8370]

Did you improve man? I’m also struggling, I’m still shooting with my iPhone 11 I don’t even know what the input footage is …and the output and those two in between

[@andygiordano9578]

Huge...! I bought DR yesterday night, you made my day ! Thanks a lot !

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Awesome! The Studio version is amazing!

[@Keerationfilms]

I have to say, you did a wonderful job and I understood everything you were talking about. Thank you so much for putting this out. Now I have a good understanding of the hue vs hue/sat. I've never found anyone explaining that like how you did. Thank you.!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome, glad it was helpful!

[@ola_ola9777]

thank you so much for this tutorial, helped me enormously

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome, happy to hear it's been helping you out!

[@desiarabreactions725]

Best color grading tutorial i have seen in 20 min amazing bro

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Truly appreciate it! Thank you!

[@SabbaLinga]

The Best intro to color grading

[@jagdesh]

Best video under the basis for resolve .❤

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Best comment to get on a video! Thank you!

[@HeyMomWereGood]

Wow!!! Thanks for doing this videos. The best beginner tutorial I’ve seen! 💪

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome! Thank you for your kind feedback :-)

[@redumbrella4218]

Great job! Thank you so much!!!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching and supporting!

[@mochicakez]

This video has been very helpful! I just started using Davinci as an Adobe user and thought I might just use Davinci for the color grading aspects. 😅 Do you have any video tutorials for beginners or something similar to this? You're very good at explaining things and not just talking about other stuff only professionals would understand.

[@KonoBoyFilms]

This is an excellent, straightforward, high-level summary of the process. Alex, yours is up there with some of the best overviews of this topic on KZbin. Thank you so very much for creating and sharing this video. Alex, I have a few questions for you about noise reduction. Where does it make sense to place that node in the node tree when you use it? As something that can tax a computer, does it make sense to have it as the first or last node? Also, when do you do it in the process? I'll check to see if yu have a video on the topic. Thanks again, Alex.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you very much for your kind words! I truly appreciate it and am humbled! In terms of Noise Reduction, I usually apply it when I'm done with my whole project if I need it in any clips. I'll always try to correct the grade first before adding NR but when I do, I put it before the first Node. If it's only in the darkest areas, I sometimes key out the dark areas so I don't soften the brighter areas that are otherwise fine. I'm not 100% sure what's the best here but I feel like I lose the least detail and have the most control doing it this way.

[@ScottioArnold]

This was a great and helpful tutorial!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you!

[@ClaudiuFilmat]

Straight to the point! Amazing video! Thank you!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you, appreciate it 🙏🏻

[@andrewdaughters]

When I was first instructed, they told me to put nodes for look, curves, focus, and outside after the Rec.709 nodes in the tree. I wonder why they taught me that, but I think it had a more dramatic effect on the image coming after the CST.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

When you are grading after the CST, you’re essentially grading in Rec.709, which will mean you’re actually grading what you’re seeing. If you’re grading before the CST you’re grading the log footage but still previewing the final result in rec.709. The latter allows you all the flexibility and extra information that is captured in log, which you lose when you grade after the CST. There’s no right or wrong it’s all about how much you want to be able to push your footage but if you shoot in log it’s a shame to not take advantage of the extra information 😊 Hope that makes sense

[@Movingstories-p1o]

@@AlexBjorstorp I just started to read up on color correting in davinci. What is the difference when you first do a color transform to davinci wide gamut and in the end do a color transform to rec709?

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Moving everything into DaVinci Wide Gamut first gives you a slightly larger color space to work in, making fine adjustments a bit better and the other benefit is that if you grade different profiles from different cameras, they’re not all in the same color space, so all tools act the same. Besides that I haven’t seen any benefit and to be honest, I’m not even grading like that for most of my projects anymore, I just convert from slog3 to rec.709 and grade before that but DWG or ACES are recognised as more professional workflows

[@Movingstories-p1o]

@@AlexBjorstorp thanks for the info, i will defenitely try your node tree solution in the future

[@tomascarranca4823]

From what I've heard (correct me if wrong please) skin tones actually vary between 40 IRE and 60 IRE, 40 being darker skins and 60 (max 65) being lighter skins

[@tomascarranca4823]

Although these IRE values tend to be very subjective I think, its more like a guide than anything, like you said

[@AlexBjorstorp]

I think you're right, I haven't shot darker skintones that much to be honest but I stil go for the same IRE values when I shoot and then bring it down if it's needed in post - that way I can keep the same settings always :-) IRE are subjective in terms of the lighting setup and can change depending on what you shoot for sure

[@tylernightingale6200]

Easily the best explainer for colour grading I have seen and I have watched quite a lot at this point! I have liked and subed 😊

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! Truly appreciate it! More to come!

[@dipayansarkar5416]

Thank you very much Sir! Great teaching you provided here.

[@ChristianLawrence]

Awesome Alex. Really appreciate your work on this. Really simplifies the process.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you Christian! Happy that it helps!

[@Bobsmithabc]

Thanks for this video. Please consider doing a video on how to get different looks.

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Sure, I'll put it on my idea list and see what I can do!

[@Bobsmithabc]

@@AlexBjorstorp thanks!

[@nokyuen9792]

Making it clear and understandable is not ec. You did a great job 🎉 good content ❤

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Appreciate it! Took me a long time to be able to make this video, so I'm happy it's been so well-received!

[@Dpixtion]

Great video, one thing, please people who read this, be sure your monitor is calibrated with a actual calibration tool, not a still images on your screen. A simple one is the xrite SpyderX.. otherwise all your time spent adjusting will be for nothing..

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Yes but it depends on the screen! The most important part is to have your screen set to the right color profile, I recommend sRGB/Rec.709 Gamma 2.4 as that's the industry standard for displays and export in video. Having a color accurate display is of course even more beneficial! I use a MacBook Pro and don't have to calibrate anything as the screen is pre-calibrated and has very accurate colours but I did have to switch into an sRGB color profile to grade properly.

[@newmans_world]

This helps me a lot ! One of the best colorgrading video i've ever watched... and i watched a lot! Keep up the good work !

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Happy to hear that! Thank you 🙌🏻

[@TheSikedSicronic]

Thank you this was amazing

[@crystalpulseTV]

Rec 709A I find gives me colour consistency across devices. Despite having a calibrated monitor, you stick it on an iPhone or upload to Instagram and the colours would just just go out of whack. Slapped it into 709A and now it looks the same 👌Do you use the HDR wheels much? I find they can really bring out all the juice from a clip as opposed to the Primary Wheels that seems to be a bit more aggressive. The amount of dynamic range I could pull out of GH5 footage, for example, just by using the HDR wheels was amazing! Always made it look like it was shot on a much more expensive camera!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

After I changed my display settings to Rec.709 Gamma 2.4 (sRGB), I haven't had any issues with viewing it on other devices. However, if I keep the standard P3 profile on my MacBook then it looks different after export. Rec.709A might solve that but I prefer to just change my display color space and grade in the same to make sure it's all the same. I know a lot of other people use Rec.709A though, so there's nothing wrong with that, this is just how I prefer to do it. I don't use the HDR wheels much no. I often find them a bit too precise, whereas I like the broader strokes of the Primaries. But recently I've started using the tone curve a lot more on it's own for adjusting my exposure exactly how I want - which I find I can do somewhat in the middle of the two tools. The HDR wheels though are definitely great for my workflow I just don't use them that often - yet :-)

[@nicklennox]

Thanks for this Alex. Can you add your colour space and what you do to mitigate the dreaded Mac gamma shift?

[@GOLUBHILWARA]

Thanks brother ❤ you explained grading in a very easy and simple way thanks 😊

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and taking your time to comment, truly appreciate it!

[@GOLUBHILWARA]

Brother, can we connect?

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome to shoot me a DM on Instagram if you got some questions :-)

[@wongasaur]

This was masterfully taught & presented!!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you! Truly appreciate it!

[@nickmaximillian1]

Love the direct explanation and sections for each part! Much appreciated! quick question though: Does the mask stays on one place? for example if the subject moved to different part of the shot, how do we keep the mask stays with the subject?

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome! No you have to track the mask if it needs to move with a subject, there are multiple ways to do that. I usually do it manually but Resolve can also track automatically

[@nickmaximillian1]

@AlexBjorstorp I see...cool! So there's a way to track the mask. I'll play around and figure it out, Thanks Alex!

[@MezcalBuzz]

Great videos! This workflow helps a lot. I work in Premiere is it safe to say what you’re talking about for me is Gain is blacks Gamma is shadows Lift is highlights Offset is global exposure?

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Almost; Lift is blacks Gamma is midtones ish Gain is whites 😊

[@MezcalBuzz]

@@AlexBjorstorp awesome thanks !

[@mikewumusic]

awesome stuff. Thank you!

[@egzonbllaca797]

Really great video, thank you so much Alex!

[@whowho3]

This is THE BEST video I've watched on coloring, hands down. I have watched so many over the last 2 years and this is by far in a league of its own. Thank you so much for this! I'm working on skin tones, in my waveform it goes from 0 to 1023. In the video, it goes from 0 - 100 so I'm having a bit of trouble. I can't seem to figure this part out, any help would be very much appreciated :)

[@whowho3]

Never mind, figured it out, I had to switch to percentage!

[@houghmadefood]

Finally found the best color grading tutorial for a beginner like me. Thanks My question, how do I apply the same color grade to the rest of my footages so they all look the same? thanks for the answer.

[@ifredty5380]

This is Grape! Thanks man!

[@oskrrrrt2198]

Great Video! Thank you so much!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thanks a lot for your super thanks! Truly appreciate it!

[@DavidWinstead]

Awesome tutorial Alex, I learned so much. Thanks for creating and sharing!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Love to hear that David! You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@tesselabkee7296]

Thanks for this man.

[@LoranMaes]

This video is insane, thanks!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Cheers mate! Appreciate it!

[@ufuoma833]

This is awesome!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Thank you!

[@redumbrella4218]

Would be great if you make a video that focuses on matching color between shots!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

I have two videos of that on my channel already, just search for ‘match’ on my channel and you should find them :-)

[@redumbrella4218]

@@AlexBjorstorp Thank you so much! I'll check it out! Have a nice weekend. Cheers

[@jijojosekochukudiyattil605]

its amezing very useful thank you

[@ΆγγελοςΜπασκούτας]

Great video and the Guide is also really helpfull . Cheers man !

[@AlexBjorstorp]

Appreciate it and happy to hear that you find the guide useful too! Thank you!

[@michafrantzen]

i thought i knew color grading lol. this helped soo much. really nice and clear explanation with the balancing!

[@AlexBjorstorp]

You're welcome, glad it was able to help you out!