The Best Color Grading Workflow in 2024 + Color Management in DaVinici Resolve

Showing you the best workflow from color management to basic corrections to integrating a simple LUT. By following these simple steps you'll be able to achieve proper grading for your project or at least a good starting point to build a grade around.
Get high quality video assets here: cinesource.nl/
Website/portfolio: edouhoekstra.com/
Instagram: / edouhoekie
0:00 Intro
0:42 Color Management
1:10 Node Setup
1:37 Color Space Transform (CST)
2:22 Color Correction
5:35 Film Emulation LUT (The Proper Way)
6:28 Detailing
6:50 Copying Settings
10:24 Outro
11:01 I AM SORRY!
#davinciresolve #colorgrading #videoediting

[@edouhoekie]

My workflow for basic grades in DaVinci Resolve 18. If there are any terms that confuse you or parts I missed feel free to ask and I will respond. :)

[@edouhoekie]

Color Space Transform, it's effect/tool I apply from DaVinci that you use to transform the color space from one to another. Hope that explains it. 😊

[@Richway-nl]

This video was incredibly helpful! I learned so much about color grading and can't wait to try it out. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@edouhoekie]

Glad to hear you like the tutorial. Can't wait to see the results!

[@RichardWiering]

Lekker bezig Edou! Goede uitleg en je deelt meer dan andere video's die ik heb gekeken. Ga zo door! 💪🏻🔥

[@edouhoekie]

Danku man bro 🐱😎

[@pglazzari1]

Very informative. Good experience of knowledge. Thanks for sharing. Paying it forward

[@edouhoekie]

Glad you like it, thank you! :D

[@jeltesneek]

Really useful! Thanks for this 👌

[@edouhoekie]

🤗 Thanks!

[@iMaxHack]

Very nice tutorial! I love the way you explain your workflow :)

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you! More to come soon! ☺️

[@pmprivat855]

great new Tipps! Thank you!

[@edouhoekie]

No worries! Appreciate it. 😊🙌

[@trayveling]

Beautiful!

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you! 😄

[@Chlopaki_nie_placa]

Awesome video!

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you! 🙌

[@diogoglov]

very nice bro, thx for showing us the workflow!

[@edouhoekie]

No worries! ☺️

[@ChiliVonat]

Hi Edou, I am at the beginning of the learning process of color grading, I try different youtuber's methods every week, and somehow I found you and just loved your workflow. Helped a lot! Thank you!

[@edouhoekie]

Glad to hear you like it! 🙌

[@sarathputhiyedath]

Nice and simple video 🤝🏻 expecting more good videos.

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you! Got a short one coming out tomorrow!

[@burbz777]

Thank you for this Mr. Hoekstra. 11/10.

[@edouhoekie]

🙌 You're welcome! 😊

[@vowlmusic]

you’re a legend 🖤 great video

[@edouhoekie]

🤍 thanks man!

[@wytsekoetse2059]

Very helpful information; great tutorial.

[@edouhoekie]

Appreciate it!

[@dattebayonaruto5664]

Beautiful 🎉

[@edouhoekie]

🙌

[@TANZANIAFILMMAKINGTV]

Bro! nice workflow

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you 😊

[@jonicolton]

thank u 🤟🏼

[@edouhoekie]

You're welcome!

[@KIMCHINAM]

Thanks Edou :)

[@edouhoekie]

You're welcome! 😊

[@wildeyestudios5]

Subscribed just for your authentic awkward ending

[@edouhoekie]

Haha 😅 Thought I might as well leave it in

[@Alphain]

Great Video bro!

[@edouhoekie]

[@outdoorsinontario3037]

Cool video. Interesting

[@edouhoekie]

Appreciate it!

[@HanjLaoye]

Good tutorial, thank you

[@edouhoekie]

You are welcome! Make sure to check out my 2024 version as well, much has changed.

[@perrinmedia]

Thank you very much for sharing this knowledge! I greatly appreciate it. This has helped me begin to take on color grading.

[@edouhoekie]

You're welcome! I am working on an updated version of this video because my process has changed a lot and has become more efficient and easier to learn.

[@perrinmedia]

@@edouhoekie I look forward to seeing the update!

[@edouhoekie]

🙌

[@lexa3210]

It always amazes me how the beginning image initially looks 'good' until you compare it to the finished image.

[@edouhoekie]

Yeahhhh, you get very used to certain looks. That's why I love to expiriment and try stuff on the "final".

[@vladkuprienk0]

Nice video, learned few things.

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you! That's the goal! More video's to come!

[@ranjanhazra3339]

Love ur colour management tips.we want more videos like this long explanation.Love from India ❤️

[@edouhoekie]

More coming for sure! For now I posted two shorter tutorials which are also useful. 💚

[@uncleanAlibertine1]

cool man!

[@edouhoekie]

Thanks man!

[@GavinMcAuley]

this has been time well spent . Thank you for giving a clear , complete and concise video. One of the best I have seen. Ending was a bit crap lol but you can't have everything . Well done on this video mate.

[@edouhoekie]

Thanks! Yeah I know it was crap that was the point haha left it in on purpose since I preferred a less "fake" ending and it's funny 🫣😆

[@GavinMcAuley]

I totally get you mate . Yes it was funny and that was clearly your intent . I am reflecting you sense of humour back at you! Keep making videos . By the way when I turn on fairlight there is like a feedback hum . Just there all the time . Can you help ?

[@edouhoekie]

🙌💚 Cheers! And I have no idea what that could be. 🤔 Couldn't find anything on Google nor have I ever heard anyone have this issue. Maybe the Resolve Forum knows. I sadly can't help you with it.

[@RPGBURN]

Hi Edou, great job on this video. I there any other video where you grade a video with PicProfile style only (without slog)? Example: Sony PP set to Neutral (-1 -1 -1)?

[@edouhoekie]

Hey, thank you it's much appreciated! I never really used neutral since I always go in with the expectations of color grading. On my A7iii i shoot HLG and on my FX3 it's slog3. But I could make a video where I grade rec709 footage in the future.

[@jonasvw]

Hi Edou, this was by far the most helpful color grading tutorial for DaVinci :) My biggest problem with DaVinci is the switch from layer-based editing to node-based editing. Can you explain something e.g. like masked transitions or in general how to use fusion? That would be really helpful!

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it a lot! I myself don't use fusion YET. I do plan on learning it, but for now for the rare moments I need anything really complicated I open up aftereffects. I'm on the same boat as you when it comes to Fusion 😅 still gotta learn.

[@c.pop.echo.28]

@@edouhoekie I used to work in AE, from layers to a node based is just a vertical hierarchy, to multiple horizontal hierarchies switch. I like it more in node base because I can add easily to so much complexity without losing the overview

[@edouhoekie]

@alexpop6363 That's exactly the reason the color page is so powerful in DaVinci as well. Just have to learn where everything is in Fusion which I don't have much time for as of now.

[@BenWillsFilms]

Love the humor

[@edouhoekie]

☺️

[@leonmarchelli7489]

Hi ! thank you for this video, which helps the young French director that I am lol. Tell me, how do we make a circle appear in the scopes depending on the position of the selector in the preview? this feature looks incredibly useful!

[@edouhoekie]

Hey Léon! Thank you, good to hear! For the circle to appear you ned to select the qualifier (eyedropper) tool in the drop down menu on the bottom left of the previews window. Hope that helps.

[@d.mishra4829]

Very Use full video bro..... but I request u to please enable your click show in video for know what shortcut and clicks u done.................. thanks bro... its so good

[@edouhoekie]

No worries man! Will either do that or mention the commands I used in the future!

[@GMAIL.COM139]

Thanks mate.Loved the tutorial..Just one Question - at 8:08 when you disconnected the new node and connected back the lut node...I was wondering how the node strucure works..the new node (top Cst node)seems to be left in the air without connection.Kind of confusing..May be because am new to node structure.Can you throw some light if possible.

[@edouhoekie]

That node was just for reference, it doesn't do anything unless used for output. That way I could check it in rec709 instead of with the LUT.

[@GMAIL.COM139]

@@edouhoekie cool.My bad ..Got you man.

[@diversafilms]

i would like same example but do it with HLG3 from sony a7 iii

[@edouhoekie]

Just change the first CST to your HLG3 settings and you're set! I have a video shot on the a7iii on my channel with those exact settings and color graded this way.

[@PedroMTome]

👌

[@edouhoekie]

🙌

[@joealley0]

Awesome video. 6:24 do you always need to apply Cineon film log for Film Looks luts?

[@edouhoekie]

Yes, to minimize artifacts and other bad things. The film LUTs in DaVinci are made for cineon film log. It's a bit weird DaVinci doesn't explain this. But if they'rw third party that can differ per LUT of course. I am planning to make a video about it separately as well.

[@joealley0]

@@edouhoekie that's great, I look forward to more colour grading vids that are beginner friendly

[@edouhoekie]

Will be making them for sure! Thank you. ☺️

[@larryFWD]

Very helpful. Thanks for making this. Quick question as I am losing it right now. when I go into color tab, the video is not set by default to the frame I am on before going to the color tab. It is starting from a random place within my full timeline. It never used to do that. The only different thing I did was export using i/o in the Delivery tab. I cleared the in/out range yet it is still not going to the expected frame within the Colour Tab. Any tips what to do? Subb'd by the way, great content!

[@edouhoekie]

Thanks! No worries. Do you have a clip layered above the selected clip? It will always jump to the highest clip in the timeline so that might be the issue. If not let me know.

[@larryFWD]

@@edouhoekieI've had to create a new timeline, and now it behaves normally. Still strange why that happened

[@edouhoekie]

Bugs still happen, glad to hear it's fixed tho!

[@tomaszbejnarowicz]

for example here: 2:30 you could explain why you doing this like that and why not just normal transforming etc.

[@edouhoekie]

Yeah, forgot to expand on that. Basically it moves over the boundaries (not creating more data ofc) and allows for more accurate and fine control. Besides that DWG is a very pleasant color space/gamma to work in. In the end it's about preference, you could just work in SLOG3 and not do it if you prefer that. It will react differently and you'll have to figure out what feels right for you.

[@raybp7512]

This video is amazing. Where in this workflow would you use DCTLs?

[@edouhoekie]

I would probably put them after the basic adjustment nodes but before the final CST! 🙌

[@raybp7512]

​@@edouhoekieThank you would you ever use both luts and DCTL or just one or the other?

[@edouhoekie]

You could yeah, I personally don't use many LUTs anymore since I create looks from scratch but a lot of the time that takes too much time. Hence the workflow in the video.

[@slaww666]

Thank you for your show. The question is - WHY you do that double or tripple CST? Why it is the best as you say?

[@edouhoekie]

1/2 are needed to convert it into a bigger color space/gamma. Not increasing the information but moving the limit over to allow more flexibility. 3 is needed because the LUT needs Cineon Film Log.

[@slaww666]

@@edouhoekie Thank you. Very interesting

[@edouhoekie]

No worries, hope it helps! 😊

[@slaww666]

@@edouhoekie Do you grade here 8 or 10 bit footage?

[@edouhoekie]

In this video I used 10bit footage. But I am mostly used to 8bit footage since I just upgraded from the a7iii to the FX3 and 10bit is a new and welcome improvement!

[@yeshwanthchowdary5269]

Can you please do a tutorial on mobile footage.

[@edouhoekie]

I will see what I can do! 👍

[@somali846]

Please tall me the application use thanks 🙏

[@edouhoekie]

DaVinci Resolve 18

[@jayauleeno6897]

Are you sure is it necessary to add a transfer node from Slog3 to Davinci Wide Gamut and then finally from DW Wide Gamut to Rec 709 Gamma 2.4 (or Cineon Film Log depends on the next look node)? I watched a video of one of the colorists from Blackmagic who said that Davinci handle better under the hood conversion from DW Wide Gamut to Rec709 without adding a conversion node to do it. I mean it is better adding exposure node, saturation node etc. like a first nodes and CST (from Slog3 to Rec.709) at the end without adding a DW Wide gamut conversion because you are working on Sony S-gamut 3 (Cine) color space which is quite close to Davinci WG.

[@edouhoekie]

The only real nessacary CST is really the Cineon LOG CST for the LUT. The rest is just preference, I just prefer working in DWG instead of SLOG3.

[@jayauleeno6897]

@@edouhoekie I undestand :) But to be honest do you seee the real difference between DWG VS Slog3?

[@edouhoekie]

You can get the exact same results from both methods. It's just the ease of grading that gets better in my experience. It feels more responsive and such. But it's not a necessity.

[@jayauleeno6897]

@@edouhoekie I will give a chance to a DWG :))

[@jvke.p]

For your first (input) CST, make sure you set that tone mapping to none. 🤙🏼

[@edouhoekie]

Yes indeed! I just used the default settings because I forgot due to this being my first recording. 😅 Good tips! Thank you.

[@jvke.p]

@@edouhoekie haha no worries at all!

[@edouhoekie]

Just recorded another video and now looking back I realize I forgot again 💀😭😭😭

[@jvke.p]

@@edouhoekie haha! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to re-record stuff to make sure it has all the necessary info. I’m building my course right now and it has been a marathon!

[@edouhoekie]

Luckily this one is only a 2/3 minute video. A whole course seems like a pain. 🥲 Good luck man! I am sure it'll be an amazing course.

[@khelocricket1952]

Nice video bro , if possible please provide some raw files for practise 😊

[@edouhoekie]

Thank you! Good idea, I will post a video about that in the near future. I have an idea how I could do that but keep the file size down. Stay tuned! 🤍☺️

[@khelocricket1952]

@@edouhoekie please make more videos on color grading for beginners

[@edouhoekie]

I will as well man! This video was heavily requested by people on Instagram so I made it happen. I will make beginner tutorials as well. ☺️ Thank you for the suggestions.

[@625man3]

宝藏男孩

[@edouhoekie]

No clue if "treasure boy" is the right translation but Google says so so I assume it's a compliment haha 🫣😅

[@beatcreationpvtltd]

never gonna give you up never gonna let you down never gonna run around and desert you never gonna make you cry never gonna say goodbye never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

[@edouhoekie]

Wondered if someone would see it 😆

[@beatcreationpvtltd]

@@edouhoekie merit of 120hz/uhd monitor hehe

[@ag_craft2867]

Get Edou rolled 😂😂

[@edouhoekie]

💀 I see someone found it again hahaha

[@petrub27]

i don't want to bring rain on your parade, but you don't need to bring black point close to zero all the time. also, color managed work flow does the same thing, but much faster.

[@edouhoekie]

Personal preferences.

[@c.pop.echo.28]

aaaaaah

[@edouhoekie]

Oooooooh 😅 bit confused haha

[@SondreFormoLindheim]

Gonna post a pro tip - like my comment if it helped.. Hold down ALT / Option on Mac and scroll with your wheel on the scopes... Watch the magic happen. ;)

[@edouhoekie]

It zooms in and out right? That's a good tip. Thanks!

[@SondreFormoLindheim]

@@edouhoekie Yes