Power Windows in Davinci Resolve

F1 film emulation is here! - juiceboxstudio...
Power windows in davinci resolve can help you achieve a higher end look during color grading. Join me on this magical power window journey to chase that cinematic look, and to spice up your footage in post.
audiio.com/blaine - use code Blaine70 for big discount
Discord: / discord
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Footage shown shot on the arri alexa mini LF and contax zeiss lenses.
More to come…

[@imjasonennis3624]

Dude I fucking love you. All the information you provide is so valuable and easy to apply to IRL situations. Everyone else is making content for amateurs and you’re making it for pros. Love it.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

I love you too ❤️ 😂. Thank you so much. this means a lot. I have so much more to share!

[@robertdouble559]

Dude, I fuckin love YOU for this comment!

[@FabianRoeglin]

I literally thought i was the only one editing this hard in post since nobody talks about it like you. I thought everybody and their mom was doing it perfect in camera and i was the only one using power windows 😂 You make me feel like a human. Every single upload is a hit

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you so much Fabian! Gotta be careful with the power windows but subtlety adjusting things with them helps certain scenes. Love it. Even that slash of light on the back wall looked pretty real to me!

[@FabianRoeglin]

@@BlaineWestropp1 It does! Also must be satisfying to show the world how much effort is behind a shot like that and its not just the alexa

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Yep, very true! It’s a lot more than just the camera. And.. you can make a great image on any camera :)

[@CartyCantDance]

Since I started following your exposure method, I’m able to do so much more in post. This ability to add light because you recorded as hot as possible is just another gem

[@BlaineWestropp1]

I’ve really been loving over exposing everything. So much more flexibility later. Such clean images. I love it! Really was the reason I revisited using power windows like this.

[@samuelguce]

experimenting with ideas like this reminds me of being young and playing around with all the possibilities - gotta remember to have a bit of fun with it and try different stuff

[@BlaineWestropp1]

yep. love experimenting and testing!

[@he.smile_]

Never knew about Interactive Mode to help the tracker! 🔥 thank you!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

sure thing! its a great feature!

[@adamdrakestudio]

Loved this - use power windows almost all the the to darken areas to draw the eye to the parts of the frame I want to be seen most but didn't expect power windows to add slashes of light like that. Really cool as always.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

So useful. Adding “light” is pretty cool. Requires a bit of over exposure as mentioned but I have also done subtle increases in areas of even dark footage.

[@tedrzz]

Hey Blaine, thank you for this!!! Love learning your editing workflow!!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey Ted, thank you!

[@dutchmikeagency]

I basically never leave a comment BUT this deserves one. Amazing tutorial and after watching it I immediately opened old projects to test it with and HOLY F*CK, this just adds a whole other layer to my work. Thanks!!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😇 glad you like. thank you!

[@BRNDNSLVRA]

Im speechless ngl. This is crazy to me.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😇🫡😎

[@Nielsslieker]

Blaine! You have slowly become my favorite KZbinr and mentor! Thanks for the inspiration (:

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you so much! who do I need to beat to get to that top spot? 😂😇

[@peppopig884]

This video is insane. Thank you. Very helpful for the community.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you 🫡 more to come!

bro. So much value in the first 60 seconds, couldn't stop watching. Thanks for this! a gem forreal

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hey thank you 🫡

[@12spies]

Videos where you just edit are very handy. I'm still pretty unskilled in Davinci so seeing your workflow is incredibly helpful. Thanks brother!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hey thank you! more to come :)

[@nic_dre]

I will be studying this video for a while! Thank you, I’m learning so much for each video

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😊😊 more to come.

[@bhapampa]

You are amazing! Damnnnn. I've been struggling with this and found your video. So simple yet so powerful. I'm new to Davinci. Damnnnn

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😇🫡

[@darenvaldezvisuals]

This is pretty incredible. I'd do this all the time in Lightroom with my photos, but it's so powerful to be able to do it in video as well! Great video!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hey thanks so much! good old fashioned dodge and burn!

[@heartshapedfilms]

Another smashing video I have actually been playing with power windows and other masks for a grade I am doing this will certainly come in handy

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you! they can definitely be useful!

[@HelloEkow]

Insanely useful and you made a complex tut into something that felt very simple.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you! More to come 🫡

[@JeroenReumkens]

This is so good! Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you :-)

[@LeviADance]

Only had to watch 5 seconds to know I need to subscribe. Epic content.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you thank you 😎😇

[@EverMendez_]

This one was really POWER-ful. Just on point information!!!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😂 thank you! More to come!

[@beaudanner]

Absolutely genius 🤯

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😇

[@edwardcrockett]

Love this approach! If you added magic masking into this flow, I think you could make it even easier which is crazy cause it’s already so easy!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

I just wish the magic mask worked as I want it to work. sometimes it works.. but not always. I am waiting for an update. they day they update it will be the day I post about it here on this channel again.

[@ditodoonstudio]

wow thank you for this!!!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🫡

[@allen_bernardo_jr]

man I think the kids would call this another banger 🤓 lol gonna save this, this is actually pretty amazing, didn't occur to me to draw in lights in cases like these, you could simulate blinds, etc. like what spotlight projector mounts can do, etc. even if you don't have one yet (like I don't lol) 🤓 I've actually wanted to see about being able to track a power window like this recently and this video helps a lot with that, plus the reminder about mapping HDR wheels to the proper color space etc, I completely forgot about that step. Awesome video thanks 👏 👏

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey thank you so much! It’s super useful for certain scenes! I wish you luck in your power window journey 😎

[@saranaveed-sx6ny]

Love the no bullshit approach

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you!

[@keith-knittel]

The background slash! 👌

[@BlaineWestropp1]

love it!

[@pglazzari1]

Amazing, make it morning regardless of the time!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Magic 🪄

[@pglazzari1]

@@BlaineWestropp1 abracadabra

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😂😂

[@AlecsmDP]

Overexposed my last shoot by 2 stops. This has given me some fun ideas 😊

[@BlaineWestropp1]

love hearing this!

[@AndreiPascu]

Thanks for this! No BS type youtuber and I lvoe it. Very relaxed as well. Very chill dude, generally not worrying about things, very relaxing video youtube

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you thank you :)

[@yames]

You’re a maestro man! Thank you for sharing the knowledge 🙏

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you thank you. More to come :)

[@chaochewei6213]

Awesome technique, I can’t believe I’m learning this for free🎉

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you 😊

[@mittaw]

Another killer video! Thanks Blaine!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you thank you :)

[@timspisar]

Dude this is so awesome. Absolute ART. Thank you for the inspo man 🙌

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you 😇😇

[@ihyperdude]

Another great tutorial!!! Cheers bruh

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you thank you 😊

[@isrraelm99]

this is fkn dope. ill def use this next shoot!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Just make sure you don’t over expose too much! Lemme know how it goes

[@NoahKahin]

Amazing, will definitly use this!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

I’m glad. Hope you find nice results!

[@DavidsLittleWorld]

Thanks brother!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🫡

[@OmniMediaLtd]

Amazing!!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😎😎

[@loganlambert]

You're a davinci master bro

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😇 how's that backup goin bruh

[@LFPAnimations]

I wish Nuke had fast trackers like davinci. Working in vfx our trackers are easier to refine and make perfect, but are a bit clunky and slow. Great video!

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey thank you. Tracker is pretty good in resolve. It’s also very fast. I’ve never tracked anything in nuke 😬

[@havisvh]

Even your tutorials have high production value for some reason

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you ☺️

[@teemuandreas]

Very helpful video. Coming from photography to video editing I find the power window tools very familiar but just don't have the Davinci know-how to use them efficiently yet. Been watching your content for some time so time subscribe.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you thank you. Davinci is a wonderland of tools. Best thing I learned when working in post was to get the image looking good without power windows or qualifiers. Get a good global look. Once I felt I had a grasp on that I started exploring power windows more. I still don’t touch the qualifiers. Ever. The more you experiment in Davinci resolve the more you will get the hang of it. Great software!

[@ditodoonstudio]

wow thank you for this! subscribed, liked and (obv commented....)

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Sure think. Thank you! 😊

[@charlestcrepps]

Much fire.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you 🫡

[@diegozznn]

Amo DaVinci

[@BlaineWestropp1]

tambien!

[@deepmusic2456]

Awesome

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🫡

[@NacerGriouri]

thanks man ❤

[@BlaineWestropp1]

sure thing! more to come!

[@alloriginaltone]

Is that dog on the couch a power window? I'm shook. He never moves. I do love your style and content, though.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

haha he likes to chill on the couch when I am filming 😂. thank you!

[@zeidalsayid]

wooow so good

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🫡😎

[@Falorepus]

Great Work, thank you very much. But for the next video I would like to see a few more pets ;-)

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hahah thank you. I have been talking about getting a 3rd dog. Couldn’t be that much harder 😂

[@Zainaussaleem]

fire content !

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you 😊

[@AutoFOCUSED.]

Great video. So I guess you shoot with a different mentality from many other videographers on KZbin. So many teach you that you need to shoot for the highlights and boost shadows in post on digital cameras. I'm assuming it's also based on the dynamic range your camera is capable of and also the fact that I doubt you're blowing out any highlights but it's still interesting to watch. Great video.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thanks so much! When I choose to over expose, I go all the way. I of course do not clip the sensor, but i get a very hot image. This reduces noise when you bring it down later, captures more info, better for tracking, more flexibility in color. Works great on an Alexa, but I do it on the song fx3, red, etc. I did an extreme amount of testing before confidently way over exposing everything on shoots but it’s been serving me well! I would just recommend one to test significantly before adopting this approach.

[@AutoFOCUSED.]

@@BlaineWestropp1 do you think it would apply to Blackmagic cameras as well? I figured you using the Alexa gave you that flexibility but it's an interesting approach and certainly makes plenty of sense.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Yes would apply to blackmagic as well. One specific reason I do this more often now is bc if you map the HDR wheels in resolve, and use the global wheel to adjust exposure it changes the exposure photographically, just like how a camera changes exposure. So you can shoot 2 stops over for example (sometimes I shoot more than that, sometimes less), and then bring down by 2 in the mapped global wheel and it’ll look the same as if you just exposed normally, but with over, you have more info. As long as you don’t clip the sensor you’re good. But.. still recommend doing tests!

[@OlympiaMortgageLender]

What do you mean, mapping the hdr?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

In the top right of the hdr wheel area there are 3 dots. Hit that button and towards the bottom you can set your color space and gamma. Set both of those to your camera and the wheels will behave properly and the global wheel will move exposure properly.

[@_GhostGarden_]

Really enjoyed this thorough breakdown. Thank you Blaine. One question, on set do you convey your process to the director when you are over exposing so much? I feel like you may have directed and shot this, but when working with other people what is a common way you deal with explaining the over exposure without sounding like you are just saying 'we will fix it in post'? Or is this not even a situation you find yourself in?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you. 99% of the time I do not explain it. Before we shoot, if there is an indication that I want to overexpose I just make sure I am involved in the post process, even if it is just sending a lut that I will create for the project. Color can use that lut or not, but the lut at a minimum indicates that the exposure was purposeful. Also, there are times that I just accurately expose!

[@_GhostGarden_]

Got it! And I assume you use that lut on set?@@BlaineWestropp1

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Yes :)

[@marcobottenberg7943]

Love you're work! How do you work with overexposure while shooting? Do you have a monitor LUT that shows the picture a few stops down? Or do you do this based on feeling?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey thank you! I use luts that show me a few stops down. I’ll toggle false color on the log image to make sure I’m not blowing it out. I pretty much over expose everything nowadays!

[@jena1821]

Damn! ❤

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🪄🪄

[@JakeStaed]

For the beam of light going behind the talent, wouldn't it be easier to qualify their shirt within the power window and invert the selection so it excludes the shirt rather than stacking power windows and having to track all of them?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Maybe.. but I don’t touch the qualifiers!

[@philipprousek1000]

I think you could have had some shortcuts by using the magic mask in about 1/3 of your operations here. But I am sure there is a reason why you didn't use it

[@BlaineWestropp1]

If magic mask worked how I want it to work, yes it would have sped this up. I just don’t think it’s there quite yet 😭 unless resolve has updated it in the past few months.

[@Homie_vers]

5:11 great tip

[@BlaineWestropp1]

yes I love this. makes tracking much easier!

[@JakubChlouba]

So useful man, thanks a lot! One question, how do you make the nodes in Davinci this small please? :)

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey thanks! Hit the 3 dots in the top right area of the node area. De select show node thumbnails. Let me know if you don’t see it!

[@JakubChlouba]

@@BlaineWestropp1 got it man! Thanks so much I was trying to google it a while back but couldn’t find it anywhere🙏✌🏼 love what you are doing on YT 🔥

[@BlaineWestropp1]

thank you so much. having fun doing this. more to come!

[@JunaidKureshi]

what an asset to save and take advantage of it, thanks a lot man, one thing can you tell me, in your case you applied PW before look node, I use FX3 S-Log 3 and I use CST, I think I know it but if i want to expose darker area should i also use PW before CST to avoid grain or noise, or I can do that after CST?, your reply will be much appreciated. Thanks again

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hey thank you! I would use the power windows before your rec709/CST!

[@JunaidKureshi]

@@BlaineWestropp1 thanks a lot much appreciated

[@BlaineWestropp1]

@@JunaidKureshi 🫡

[@Salt9696]

When you say you’re filming as bright as you possibly could, do you actually mean that quite literally? I was always under the impression that over exposing the image to the point where you clip the highlights and have over-blown highlights would have a negative effect on your color grading process afterwards in terms of introducing noise and other artifacts. Thoughts?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hey! when I say as bright as possible I mean without clipping the sensor. no info is blown out. I look at false color or a waveform and get it bright, but without blowing out any part of the image!

[@Clint694]

Hello ! What computer are you editing with please ? Thanks for your video.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hey thank you! I am using a MacBook Pro, M2 max

[@tyoung]

Crazy game

[@BlaineWestropp1]

love it

[@Kadehr]

Wow, nice work! How did you remove the picture on the nodes? Never seen that before

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey thanks! Top right above the node area. Hit the three dots and uncheck view thumbnail. It’s something like that. Let me know if you don’t see it and I’ll open up resolve and find it.

[@Kadehr]

@@BlaineWestropp1 yes it works! Thank you so much

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🫡

[@agomishernandez]

One of the best masking tutorials on Davinci. Very useful and straight to the point ✌🏼

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hey thank you so much :)

[@samholder]

What filtration were you using here? Or did you use Resolve to add filtration?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

added in resolve. scatter!

[@YasinHasan]

so its just masking

[@BlaineWestropp1]

essentially yes

[@3ddesign216]

Hi! Some situations requires to move the camera while filming and lighting conditions may change. Do you use the Auto ISO or if you can recommend using Auto ISO in these cases?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

hi! I do not use auto ISO, nor do I recommend it. i keep iso, shutter, and aperture locked. I am sure there are certain scenarios that you can use it, but usually not. but.. can you tell me which scenario you find yourself needing auto ISO?

[@3ddesign216]

I was thinking about situations where you you shoot random like live broadcasting /streaming, like reportage, someone walks and you follow the person, or for example, if you film cycling competition and you have to turn the camera quickly in different lighting conditions. In other words, you don't realy know where you gona turn the camera when filming.

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Yeah I feel you there. In that case I would consider changing ND, a variable ND, or pulling the iris. I suppose you could also use auto ND in some of the new cameras. If you absolutely need the exposure to constantly be changing, and the auto iso is not noticeable in the footage, sure you could use it, but I just can’t recommend that. I have been in all sorts of situations all the time where I’m outside and I set the settings and I’m good. If I turn the camera and need an exposure change I will pause and change an ND or pull the iris though. I cannot think of any commercial or film scenario where I would ever want the camera to change the exposure automatically, unless I was shooting something that I didn’t care to have control over. Like sometimes I film myself with my iPhone or webcam and am fine with auto exposure in those scenarios. I suppose I may be okay with it if I was filming a reporter walking around and in and out of buildings. In the end you can do what works for you, and maybe there are scenarios that auto can help, but auto anything doesn’t quite have a place in commercial or film sets at the moment.

[@jakefk4216]

Great tips. I do not see the 'interactive mode' on the tracker page like your display shows, i'm on 18.6. There is an option for the bin and an option for 'add tracker point'. Any ideas why I can't see it?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Hmmmm let me check my version. Stand by. Did you add a power window first?

[@jakefk4216]

@@BlaineWestropp1 yeah, but I didn't have the window tab selected, can see it now :)

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Yay!

[@_trismegistus]

Doesnt Davinci Resolve have an auto subject masker? Would that work to select her perfectly?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

yes. magic mask, depth map. those can definitely help with this. I considered including it, but have another video about that and magic mask needs some updating in my opinion so I am waiting for that to happen before I discuss it on this channel again! both magic mask and depth map are currently useful in certain scenarios though.

[@di_rich]

Dude, how did you make the nodes small?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

in the top right, hit those three little dots and uncheck show node thumbnail!

[@andrebanks2272]

Is it possible to do this if you don't overexpose?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

yes! overexposing helps when raising exposure in the power window (and in general), but you don't have to.

[@MrMistaMr]

Yo how do I invert the power window, is there a timestamp it’s for a school assigment

[@BlaineWestropp1]

there is a button to the right of the power window button, it is a solid circle inside of a square. hit that to invert. let me know if you cannot find it!

[@MrMistaMr]

@@BlaineWestropp1 I found it, thank you!

[@sayantanfx]

Buddy.. Need help... Powergrade overlay lines not showing in other monitor when using clean feed

[@BlaineWestropp1]

How are you connected to your other monitor? Clean feed? If so that’s why, it will only show picture. Edit: I see you mentioned clean feed. Only shows picture!

[@sayantanfx]

@@BlaineWestropp1 3 x monitors connected via HDMI from GPU Instead of clean feed how can I get separate full screen view with power window lines

[@BlaineWestropp1]

I believe it is the ultra studio 3g that you will need, I forgot and am not at the computer. Basically you need an SDI feed to your monitor. But check with Blackmagic.

[@GeorgAlekseev42]

What lens you use?

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Contax zeiss! 28 and 135mm

[@elavate_films]

These are some the secrets from Hollywood coloring sessions to fix bad focus lighting or vfx

[@BlaineWestropp1]

🫡

[@GBVisuals]

Wizard

[@BlaineWestropp1]

😇😇

[@flochfitness]

🥯

[@BlaineWestropp1]

💪🥯

[@eldaniskender]

You are becoming my top five KZbinr ❤ thanks so much for sharing 🫶🏻

[@BlaineWestropp1]

Thank you so much! What do I need to do to get to top 1 😇