The Secret Trick to White Balancing WITHOUT White

What to do when there's no white in a scene for color correction?
www.colorgradingcentral.com/h...
If you've ever had a tight shot that seemingly had a white balancing issue and yet nothing in the scene could be construed as white to use a reference, you're not the first and you're not alone.
I remember as a startup colorist feeling so puzzled about, "How in the world am I going to white balance this shot with no white in it and how will I ever even know if it has been white balanced accurately?"
Well if you're anything like me I like to stew over problems and listen to the marbles roll around in my head until I come up with a solution.
And the solution to fixing a white balance issue even when there is no white in shot is to stick with what you do know.
Filmmakers and photographers can rejoice because there's finally way to fix your shots even without white.
Here's how... The main focus of any shoot is the talent, and they have skin and that skin can be used as a reference in place of white because when balanced properly it will line up on the "flesh line" of the Vectorscope!
I hope this trick resonates with you and what you can do in your color grading.
If you like this trick and would like to see even more and even discover our Color Grading Academy I invite you to step up your grade for joining me for my free 1 hour online color grading workshop:
www.colorgradingcentral.com/h...
And if you just need something simple where you can just literally click a button and BAM! "done for you" then check out Cinema Grade:
Cinema Grade for the Mac and NOW Windows:
www.cinemagrade.com
Denver Riddle
CGC Founder & Colorist
www.colorgradingcentral.com
Facebook page: / color-grading-central-...
twitter: / colorgrading
FB group (60K+ members): / colorgradingcentral
#whitebalance

[@colorgradingcentral]

Ugh! The puzzling problem of trying to fix a shot without white is SOLVED finally!!!

[@GlenReed]

Thanks for the great color grading tips you continually bring. I have Cinema Grade and the Color Grading Academy membership. Also your testimony of how you got started has definitely given me encouragement during this season in life 🙂. Keep up the great work!

[@colorgradingcentral]

@@GlenReed thanks a lot Glen, that truly means a lot and if there is anything that I have been able to do to help you I consider myself honored!

[@solarinphotography]

Hi Denver, a few years ago I bought color finale, it was great, the problem was when FCPX updated color finale was no longer supported, I have recently bought davinci resolve so have both, are there any guarantees that if I buy cinema grade the same thing wont happen the next time Davinci or FCPX has an update? is there not a standalone version of cinema grade?

[@daisymonsalve1485]

I love when they provide very accurate information without going around and around when it relates to the digital age, photography, design.

[@CaseyFaris]

Great tip. Awesome for those tricky situations. Beautiful work as always dude!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks Casey and congrats to passing 100K, you'll have to send me a pic of you with your KZbin play button 🙌🏽

[@darkatmedia6095]

This is a very valuable tip!!! Thanks so much. I needed it big time.

[@meenamathew8355]

This is absolutely brilliant tutorial on colour grading. Greatly appreciated your efforts and I learnt more especially on what to do if there is no white in a scene for color correction. New information to me and thanks for sharing.

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much Meena!!

[@DrWasim]

This is becoming my fav channel

[@judywangui2061]

Thank you so much for making time to make and post this video ,from this tutorial I learnt what to do when there is no white in a scene for color correction.

[@jamesquartararojr1298]

Thanks for the video! I love the color in your video too. Looks great without looking preset

[@Tommy-ws9ep]

That's absolutely fantastic! I started to practice this process, and it hit me that I should practice on images WITH white, so I could "check myself" after doing your trick. Practicing that way, I was able to get the feel for where my skin tones should be on the skin-tone line when I have to white balance with NO WHITE. It's making my white balancing chops better with your trick!!!! You're amazing!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Tommy that's a good idea to cross examine the two different methods and after all the skin tones are the most important subject so I'm glad that armed with these two methods you're going to optimal results 🙌🏽

[@AntonioGonzalez-cu5lt]

Excellent tutorial with tremendous informative content and real effective and efficient. Thank you for sharing this. I loved all the presentation of this content from beginning to end.

[@barbaravalentinapadronchav143]

That is the beauty of audiovisual production, I have always wanted to be a film producer, what a great way to play with the tones, everything was perfect

[@timsherohalf]

This video has been awesome! I have had this question forever and now it is answered, thank you! Do you have any tips for white balancing when there are no skin tones in the image as well as no whites?

[@jarlyhuablochotenorio9495]

the color models are the best I have seen and even more with that design is perfect that's what I call good pictures and good design technology at an advanced level. good video

[@benigal5649]

Thank you for this very useful tip 🙏🏼

[@pelosmeusolhos938]

just awesome!!! congrats!!

[@dmitry_vyshniak]

Amazing trick! I always have issues with color corrections. So thank you again for your secrets

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@EricCheung]

Mind blown!! Awesome stuff dude

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much Eric!!

[@davidinjeski3985]

Thank you for sharing about white balancing without white. Your ideas working well

[@ksilitonga]

You never know how precious this trick for me as a newbie on video editing. God bless you, bro......pls keep good video.....you are the man (from Indonesia)

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much!

[@Randor10]

Excellent. Another tool in my toolbox. Thanks!

[@ramizzmaj6300]

The way u presented the video is really amazing, I had so much fun! Thanks for sharing

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome Ramiz! Glad you got a lot out of it!

[@brittanyainsworth9307]

This information will be very useful to me, I did not know about this, I was actually oblivious to this topic, but this will advance my photography career very well, each video you upload is very useful, thanks brother

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@Nkn2705]

Very good information about colour correction and this video is very helpful for me thanks for sharing this amazing video.

[@pelosmeusolhos938]

Very nice! Thanks!

[@PhotoFeelSaikat]

Wow! This technique is great! Thanks for sharing!

[@WORTHITORNOT]

Great tips

[@aneesbata878]

The Best channel to learn color grading.

[@AfoteyAnnum]

This channel is LIFE for a cinematographer like me!

[@Secondcropcreative]

Damn dude. Great video, straight to the point and concise

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much!!

[@imamali1605]

Damn, i'm fckn love your content bro! Keep it up!!!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much!!

[@marianajimenezalfaro9958]

amazing!!!! thank you!!!

[@Amitlensman]

Hello sir thanx for color grading plugin I install it but it's not working In adobe premiere pro I am done grading in your plugin but when I apply it in the timeline the clip become black

[@LawrenceChung]

Thank you for the brilliant video!

[@colorgradingcentral]

My pleasure!

[@MoreKit]

Thanks for this amazing tip!

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're very welcome, Kit!

[@camblej5694]

Wow my big problems of trying to fix jast 1s so i love this video thanks

[@diegogdias]

Shout out from Brazil. I've started editing recently using FCPX. Your videos are so good, practical, and straight to the point. Excellent job.

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks Diego!

[@davidramms]

This is a game changer for me - thank you

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@adriankulesza210]

You arę the best color granding teacher which I ever had. Yours tips are so dope

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're very kind, thank you adusebejbe

[@hermionepardo5037]

exevelente video I really liked how you explain everything and you taught me to be able to make the white balance, garcias friend

[@kostinatrnava7779]

I have no idea that it could be done, awesome video presentation, it is easy to learn and follow.

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@stanarthur]

Great video. I discovered this myself a while back but you have confirmed that this correction is easiest to solve in Premiere Pro.

[@wright96d]

I wouldn't say that's necessarily the case. He showed three different techniques in three different NLEs, but you should be able to use the technique shown in Premiere in both Resolve and FCP.

[@viktorgelbek6140]

This is some of the best color grading tutorials on the internet (even though i cringe a bit every time you say something like, huorhuorhuoorrr) Keep it up!:)

[@colorgradingcentral]

LOL I'm glad the technical value is at least there if not for some entertainment 😜

[@mattcarlson12]

Thanks dude! That helped me 🙌

[@colorgradingcentral]

Awesome! Glad I could help, Matt!

[@BrontisShane]

Oh my god. This is amazing!

[@emilyhenriquess8505]

amazing trick! thanks for sharing bro

[@paulkamau1806]

It's indeed a perfect trick to white balancing without white which actually works. Thanks for the video

[@mimounibrahim3623]

thank u so much for These videos

[@marcmartinezfilms]

Awesome tutorial. I have definitely run into this problem on many occasion. Thank you Denver!

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome, I figure it is only matter of time until you encounter those tight shots that don't offer any kind of clues of how to grade them.

[@marcmartinezfilms]

Color Grading Central btw, I’m a huge fan of your work. Keep it up, you rock!

[@colorgradingcentral]

@@marcmartinezfilms thanks Marc, I shall sure try :)

[@workouteverycorner]

what an amazing video thanks a lot for it

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome, thanks for watching.

[@prashunthapa1704]

you r great...thank u

[@alansarkissian2537]

fantastic thank you

[@jeanluisindriagolugo232]

Excellent color correction video it was just fun to enjoy this six minute video thanks for sharing

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome, thanks for the comment jean!

[@YourStoryStudios]

Very interesting to see how you used 3 different programs to achieve a good white balance! Subscribed!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks for the sub and the kind words!!

[@bovinicide]

Sweet! Thanks for that!

[@rofixbob2788]

Excellent information Thank you for sharing your experience

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome Rofix!

[@najibcasa2745]

I think this is a Very interesting and smart Secret Trick to White Balancing WITHOUT White ... !really thank you for this useful vid.

[@arjunmk8034]

Wow great tutorial .. thank you for sharing this trick 😊😊

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@RaviKumar-qh5pe]

Very useful must needed tutorial...

[@colorgradingcentral]

Happy to help, Ravi!

[@romonamondal7990]

Really very good and very helpful video. Excellent tutorial with tremendous informative content and real effective and efficient. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you.

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome, thanks for the comment Romona!

[@jakir_studio]

Very informative thank you

[@ramtinnazeryan]

I wish I saw this few months earlier. very nice tip which I learned about a month ago. Here is a question? what if we don't have neither a white plane nor skin tone in the footage?

[@maiguelmoreno9027]

WHAT A GREAT VIDEO AND A VERY GOOD EXPLANATION, REALLY WORKED FOR ME, KEEP ON AS FRIEND

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks Maiguel that means a lot. Thanks for the comment.

[@WIL_FPV]

Absolutely great and useful tutorial, but... as always 🔥

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much!!

[@JWallaceDesignsLLC]

You're the man!!

[@prashannalewis5217]

Really great informative video. Learned something new today. Thank for your share .

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome, glad I could add something to your arsenal.

[@FrancescoPaggiaro]

Interesting way man, thanks for sharing

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome Francesco!

[@driftingtales1984]

@Color Grading Central Please please next one should be 'Book of Eli' look recreation.

[@DaveChapFilms]

This is a great tip! I’ll be sending this video out to some people.

[@colorgradingcentral]

Dude I would be indebted Dave, thanks for giving it a watch and more especially for sharing it 🙏🏼

[@tomasribas2541]

so great! Thx

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@josefinasolorzano3784]

Wow brother interesting video, I didn't know all that !! I will put into practice everything I learned, thank you very much for sharing

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome!

[@TimeSpaceTraveler01]

I'm from China. I'm glad to see such a wonderful teaching video. Thank you.

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thank you! 😃

[@maunader]

Great video! Any tips on correcting white balance on 8 bit footage using DaVinci?

[@AlexNejera]

this just blew my mind. it answered my problem with getting the correct TINT from my bmpcc6k since it always looks a bit green

[@AlexNejera]

and i had already learned how to use the scopes too and i still felt unsure

[@andrewarguelles6945]

AYEE! CHVRCHES!! SUBBED🖤🔥

[@corybowcut8819]

Nice Denver! Good little tutorial!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks Cory for giving it a watch and leaving a comment!

[@ErikWerlin]

Glad to know I've been using the secret trick without knowing it was a secret haha! Great job!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks Erik!!

[@JaymesMedia]

I found this really helpful

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thrilled to hear that Jaymes!

[@billfried626]

Terrific! Thanks so much.

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome Bill, thanks for the comment.

[@duvanvilera8659]

excelente video me ayuda a elegir muy buenos colores

[@colorgradingcentral]

Muchas gracias!

[@antoniok2k]

What a awensome tutorial, thanks for that! Vetorscope it's a nightmare for me who never use it before

[@colorgradingcentral]

Oh that's awesome Antonio! Now you know it can be really helpful and you'll get a lot more out of it.

[@jmalmsten]

I've wondered for quite some time now. Since balancing skintone to the orange skin line is so powerful. Why have I yet to see a "skin balance-eye-drop" tool like the white balance that is in all color correction suites?

[@dleblanc]

I've tried to look this up over the last year or so. Why isn't this a thing??

[@Seanbad2]

Dude....so good! 😁👍

[@colorgradingcentral]

Thanks so much!

[@camcamwatt]

NOIIICE! haha! You're a LEGEND dude!!! Thanks a million!

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome Cameron!!

[@Mechrank]

Awesome presentation like always.. can you make a tutorial on color grading an 8-bit, 4.2.0 with neutral profile. 😃

[@MrPolmiquel]

Please, make a video explaining how to color grade for 4k videos for youtube. Chrome and firefox changes the colors of 4k videos so it's very difficult to color grade. Thanks !

[@MOSESGRAPHICSSTUDIOS]

this channel is the best color grading Online school I never wasted my money to learn online on Color Grading Central

[@simomonster]

Great tip 👍🏼

[@colorgradingcentral]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hermask815]

Imagine you have a person with color vision deficiency and you have to teach him in a way that yields good results. This video works in that way as it uses technical means where you don’t have to rely on your perfect vision. I wish there where more of that kind as I’m deficient , too. Not color blind but Protanopia, red green problems.

[@DeanLamb]

I'm reading this comment with my colour blindness glasses on, and my premiere window open on the other half of my monitor hahaha.

[@hermask815]

@@DeanLamb your secret is safe with me :-)

[@Getmoneyent187]

Dope video pal

[@Baghirovtravel]

greate lesson tks man)

[@mecdot525]

Thanks a lot brother.

[@colorgradingcentral]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@mohamedshahid7776]

Very good video

[@isabelgarcia1175]

color correction esta muy genial, mil gracias por compartir este video, me encanto

[@colorgradingcentral]

Muchas gracias Isabel!

[@keysignphenomenon]

Very helpful😃

[@goldenflamesmedia726]

Awesome!

[@googlyzer547]

@2.04 how could you do this with an adjustment layer, its a little hard to see it in the scopes as you see the clip below the adjustment layers skin tone as well in the graph? Could you maybe white balance first on the clip itself and then throw an adjustment layer and apply lumetri color grading on that ?

[@user-qu3tg1tq9q]

来自中国的视频工作者在KZbin第一次留言，我觉的你分享的这些色彩管理的技巧实用性很高很棒

[@pulaksarkar187]

Great video. I discovered this myself a while back but you have confirmed that this correction is easiest to solve in Premiere

[@colorgradingcentral]

Yeah it's pretty obvious and makes sense.

[@onthedrone_]

Exelente!!saludos desde Argentina

[@danmavric2268]

“Noice” Denver, thanks again for sharing your wizardry! Luv your reference our (Aussie) Sharon Strezelecki, noice!

[@colorgradingcentral]

Haha you're welcome dm NOICE!