Understanding Color in Film | Beginner's Guide

Learn all you need to know about Color Theory. After watching this you will be able to implement these techniques to elevate the quality of your work.
FREE Webinar - Learn 7 secrets to grade better in Resolve: bit.ly/39OdiKi
Become a FREELANCE COLORIST: bit.ly/3zxfPFQ
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:41 Free ACES Training Session
1:39 History
2:44 CIE System
3:48 Color Wheel Overview
5:53 Interactive Exercise
9:36 Color Harmonies
9:49 Monochromatic
10:54 Analogous
11:35 Complementary
13:58 Split Complementary
15:18 Conclusion
About:
I am a professional colorist and have worked with brands such as Prime Video, Adidas, Toyota, Vizio, etc. Outside client work, I run a color academy with over 6000 students. My channel mostly focuses on the taste-making (subjective) aspect of color grading. With the rise of AI, I truly believe that most of the grunt, technical (how-to) tasks will be handled by the software, and the job of a colorist will be purely driven by their art and imagination.
Want me to grade your next project: waqasqazi.com/for-hire
If you learn better through 1:1 interaction, then click here: waqasqazi.com/1-on-1-coaching
Social:
My Work: waqasqazi.com/
IMDb: imdb.to/3rIm493
Podcast: spoti.fi/3Y4XU4A
Instagram: / theqazman
TikTok: / qazmanofficial
Threads: www.threads.net/@theqazman
#davinciresolve #colorgrading #colortheory

[@johnrandall879]

I have been a video editor for years on Avid, also color blind as far as FAA is concerned, but the comments and way you explained the color was unbelievably great. I now am moving to Resolve and finding the learning curve is so helped by people like you. Thank you john R

[@theqazman]

Thank you bro. Appreciate you.

[@gavinvmurray]

"Spring Breakers, which is a rom com" - Not something I was expecting to hear ever haha. Wonderful video appreciate the info.

[@theqazman]

Clearly you can tell I never saw the movie. Epic fail. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@szmaff]

I was literally going to write the same comment .)

[@dareesedevelops]

This the best video on color I’ve watched in all 4 years of KZbin University

[@shanegrush]

Thanks for sharing your expertise, time and time again, man! I'm so excited by every video you post.

[@DozifJuggles]

Hey Qazi, I wanted to thank you for all your videos, they have taught me so much about Resolve that I couldn't have learned otherwise. I've recently gotten a job working for a DIT on an upcoming netflix film as a dailies overnight processor and a lot of the workflow was intuitive to me because of what I've learnt about Resolve from these videos (which I think I've now watched all of them, some twice). I always thought I'd try to be a cinematographer as that's what I specialised at in university or try to become a colourist but I think now I'm going to be trained up as a DIT with a focus on OnSet Colour work in Silverstack XT and Resolve. I luckily made the contact with this DIT through a friend's family member's friend so a lot of luck was involved but I wouldn't have been half as confident in my skills in this role if not for these videos and have been able to quit my job as a bartender to go into DIT work as my career path. Wishing you all the best from here in rainy London, Joseph

[@blahblahco.5834]

One of the best videos I've ever watched about color grading. Might be the best!

[@JCFrostPh]

Your channel changed everything I know as a rookie Videographer, thank you for your content!!! ♥

[@TheDjescob]

Working on high-end VFX for movies , and having to deal with this kind of challenges very often this is a dead on explanation .. Hats off sir !

[@BrunoWilke]

Very good, I'm color blind, I have a lot of difficulties in the colorometry part to edit my videos and photos, you explained very well, it helped me a lot. Thanks.

[@oaktreesewede5152]

Just started to colorgrade in school. This video really helped me understand and get on the EDGE!

[@livesongs82]

pivotal information here, This is incredibly important for anyone getting into photography video editing. this is a must. Thank you so much Qazi!

[@theqazman]

You're welcome.

[@Motionphile]

Didn't realize it's already 17 minutes of watching 🔥 just the best 🙌

[@theqazman]

😀🙏🏾

[@mohammadabuobaidamullick]

This is the thing that I subscribed you for and looking for for months!

[@theqazman]

😀

[@francoistroudbal402]

great intro to colours, thank you so much for that man!

[@LuxeriMedia]

Best one! I like the basics and origin. With that, creativity is limitless

[@theqazman]

Love this comment

[@AdAstraStakePool]

Thanks for sharing these lessons 🙏

[@filmmaker5457]

Nice. Thanks Waqas! Interesting how you chose to light your own shot

[@bcl1039]

WOW...A true teacher. This is EDUCATION.

[@wakkowarner8810]

I loved this tutorial. I learned so much about why we do things from this lesson, and not just how to do things.

[@theqazman]

Let's go!

[@shuolangliu304]

Thanks for the vid. You are my only colour grading mentor online at the moment. I feel like I could learn from you so much in terms of technical and theoretical skills. I am an aspiring cinematographer but want to get better at grading. Hopefully we get a lot more theoretical videos like this in the future :)

[@theqazman]

Appreciate the thorough comment. For sure we have plans to do much more in the future.

[@degomb]

this was amazing. straight to the point,.

[@samdsouuza5094]

Thank you so much for making informative videos. I am a newbie in the colour grading industry. I don't know - what and from where to watch but to be honest I love your content - the way you explain things is just awesome. I think with your help I definitely will be a pro. Thank you so much for making content for the people who can't afford a fee to learn this craft like me

[@pandurangansatish2973]

Wow well explained. Having set up a large Quantel DI Color grading setup , I understand how important it is to know the language of colours. I have seen and been through the transition from film to digital.

[@luisacosta4393]

Man, you’re so good at explaining things. Glad I found this channel

[@theqazman]

Let's go!

[@nikhil_jadhav]

Thank you for the free knowledge.

[@TechThrilled]

Your teaching makes the work very easy.... Thank U:)

[@8BitGamerYT1]

Got a very good introductory idea on color grading approach

[@AlonRoute]

One of the most comprehensive tutorial about color science Ive watched. Loved it and ofc saved to watch it a couple times more while practicing grading. Thank you Qaz.

[@theqazman]

You're welcome, brother. Appreciate the love.

[@alleyh1000]

Thanks for the informative video! It really helps!

[@tristan_lp]

Mind-blowing 🤩🤩

[@okeyoku]

This is so refreshing

[@BartSantello]

Not only did I learn a lot in this color introduction, but realized this information will really inspire a creative approach to my work in the future. Thanks!

[@theqazman]

Happy to help brother.

[@artsvanberg]

Great video!! Watched the live on IG as well!! This is high value content!😍🔥

[@theqazman]

Thank you

[@rowliv]

You always a unique angle that ways makes me feel like every video I watch is my first day in color grading class

[@theqazman]

💪🏾

[@pandurangansatish2973]

Simple and well explained without making it too technical ! Awesome 😎Thanks

[@GARV17]

Hey fellow indian

[@sashazephiria3869]

Talked about it on IG live yesterday, granting us with a video on it today. Love it

[@theqazman]

Thank you. I'll be adding Color Theory 101 section to the Masterclass soon

[@sashazephiria3869]

@@theqazman That's awesome !

[@memento.christo]

Amazing content !!

[@hippopictures]

Awesome tutorial

[@ericdargan]

This was great! Thanks Waqas!

[@theqazman]

You're welcome

[@sawansorathiya9393]

Excited❤️

[@movietrailer4113]

⚡Insanely useful. Thank you for understanding the Color Schemes. Now there are more thoughts for creativity.

[@trancepriest]

Huge knowledge king... bless up

[@benoitlombard]

Great info Waqas ! Thanks a lot ! 👌

[@theqazman]

You're welcome

[@muhammadabdulbasit4749]

An absolute banger. It couldn’t have been better

[@theqazman]

Thank you

[@bashutvbd]

I am Addicted To Your Videos! Thanks for the Information. Easy to learn

[@theqazman]

Let's go!

[@RAM_Tv]

Oh!!! how great all this that you teach. thank you very much. strongest greetings from Peru!

[@theqazman]

You're very welcome!

[@themzaid]

7:19 both are same but the green on left is perceived brighter because of an equally complimenting shade if yellow and the green on right is perceived duller cause it’s on top of a brighter shad of green.

[@ArthurXandTheScars]

Thanks again!

[@8lec_R]

I actually learnt how colours and contrast work from watching art videos since there aren't many videos specifically about colours for film. This should be a great resource. BTW the art videos were pretty good too

[@ennurcukurova3435]

wat kind of art videos you mean? Analyzing of paintings or painting tutorials?

[@hunter8980]

This lesson is fundamental to the color grading explained by Waqas Qazi in simple words very professionally. VERY IMPRESSIVE ! Thanks YOU Qazi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theqazman]

You're welcome

[@shooting_with_E]

This is one of the most beneficial videos I have ever watched. Not only as an aspiring colorist but as a current cinematographer this gave me so much insight. This will pay off not only in post, but also in my preproduction and principal photography processes. You continue to share pivotal information. In my opinion, you are one of the top 3 sources for filmmakers on this platform.

[@user-gh6dp7xw1p]

Who are the other two sources then?)

[@shooting_with_E]

@@user-gh6dp7xw1p I would say the two other KZbin channels would be “Andyax” and “Film Courage” Give them a watch! They will not disappoint!

[@user-gh6dp7xw1p]

@@shooting_with_E thanks man!

[@TonaA.R.]

thank you so much!

[@DANYELNISE1]

thanks Qazy !!

[@sdsdsdsds7176]

Respect. What a good and soooo informativ video!!!

[@MFoster392]

This is a amazing video Thank you

[@aloyminimum]

I love watching this colorblind

[@jaishaannaseer197]

this is very informative and very helpful

[@DigitalLeopard]

That bar has tripped me up. :) really good video, thank you.

[@theqazman]

You're welcome

[@LeiDavidChen]

14:21 "This is from Spring Breakers, which is a romcom..." I think we may have very different interpretations of the "romcom" genre.

[@nonaalfull]

Great tutorial

[@dcarriela]

you are amazing! thanks for the help!

[@theqazman]

Welcome!

[@sagarsalvi7554]

Great content. Much needed

[@theqazman]

Thanks

[@sadeeshasithum9785]

You're amazing man!!!

[@theqazman]

Thank you

[@sadeeshasithum9785]

@@theqazman Oh.he replied me🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🤩

[@norgerichard]

I have asked for this for long time my friend.

[@walter5379]

Very Much Helpful.. ❤ Thanks Brother ☺️

[@ShakyFootage]

Always the best!!!!!

[@theqazman]

Thank you

[@arvinsim]

This tutorial was also helpful for photography!

[@theqazman]

LFG

[@Aziz-kw6ct]

Great content

[@devjitsinha]

nice i will use this on graphic design

[@THEROSEWORLD]

Thanks for your help

[@theqazman]

Of course

[@SATHYAGS]

square on right looks brighter(tho both r same ) cuz the back square is dark hence it gives a bit contrast...and this is also a reason why we used to add vignette around subject

[@Norkei]

6:47sec, i think the B is more brighter because of the white outline which diffuse more light (?) - For the square, the right because of the outside which tend, for our eyes, to interpret the inside more brighter than the other square

[@UsamaMahmoudSultan]

Very informative, thank you sir

[@theqazman]

You're welcome

[@moodprod.645]

Man, You are like the bible of colorists, hi from argentina, we learn so much from You. Thanks!

[@BeaverFernandez]

Super Pumped bro❤🎨

[@theqazman]

💪🏾

[@JoATTech]

Amazing tutorial.

[@theqazman]

Thanks

[@Garynavarrete]

Thanks! i see u from Chile

[@johnrandall879]

Oh by the way I didn't pause as you suggested but I did get every one right when you told us! But idea was great. Because as you said once before and I listened "Looks can deceive!"

[@theqazman]

Awesome and yes.

[@danielf5651]

geez.... Thank you so much

[@user-wx4lx5mc8i]

thank for teaching and giving valuable information brother love from india

[@ZEUS]

Knowledge bombs as always.

[@theqazman]

You know it 😀

[@remcodewilde]

Thank you

[@KristophTy]

Amazing Video

[@avdullah0]

Wow (Thank you so much love from Bangladesh)

[@racheldavies975]

"A" brighter than "B". The inner squares have the same brightness. Both sides of the bar are the same. The green squares have different hues.

[@rbelatamas]

thanks ❤

[@kakegarcia8056]

A and B are at the same brightness levels (paused at 06:41, now let’s see if I did right LOL) Bests regards from a Venezuelan follower!

[@DanielTuriman]

I learn something new, especially color wheel and color spaces.

[@theqazman]

Awesome

[@DanielTuriman]

@@theqazman for the next video can do color explanation for each scene mood.

[@milind2626]

thank you

[@SnakeCakeExotics]

love your work lol wish I could understand grading better and had top learn everything for my channel alone so don't really know what I'm doing, just starting to be able to use davinci. see you on Monday!

[@theqazman]

See you on Monday 😀

[@mallickpriyanshuOG]

Hey, can you talk about Euphoria and the colours and lights in that series?

[@tharindafilms5528]

Thank youu

[@STUDIO-ew8dz]

good stuff

[@FeelFreetoEdit]

Q1. B is brighter. Q2. Right is brighter. Q3. Right is brighter. Q4. The 2 Greens are different. This is a great interactive session I have ever seen and this helped me a lot. Really loved this crash course. Learnt a lot of practical examples. Keep going Qazi.

[@theqazman]

Thank you for participating. Appreciate the love.

[@FeelFreetoEdit]

@@theqazman Its my pleasure

[@kakegarcia8056]

Both ends of the bar are at the same brightness levels (paused at 07:08, now let’s see if I did right LOL) Bests regards from a Venezuelan follower!

[@SFCFilms]

This is great love the examples. Do you have a complete training video series we can buy and watch online? With lots more examples? Not webinars just the training videos. Thanks

[@theqazman]

waqasqazi.podia.com/courses/freelance-colorist

[@SHDEdits]

Would be interesting to extend this video to talk about color weight. Where the weight of a hue is determined by how saturated the color is and how dark the color is, and that desaturating a hue and tinting a hue decreases it's weight (or how much attention it draws). For example the complementary color scheme is most harmonious with a relative weight distribution of 75% to 25%. And these ratios are dependant on the color scheme being used. These rules can be broken for a specific intention of directing attention more harshly or creating an emotional impression of a character like in that joker shot. Still interesting to think about none the less though. If specific ratios of weight in a color scheme is seen as most harmonious I suppose that could even be used to control the emotions of the audience, specifically breaking away from good color harmony to make them uncomfortable.

[@raiyogesh291]

Qazi out here spilling all the courses taught in film school 😅

[@walterragusa9738]

1) A brighter 2) I believe they're the same, but the right one seems brighter because of the darker frame. Not that I can really tell, but remembering something like that from school. :) 3) Right side of the bar is brighter 4) Inner square on the left looks the same as outer square on the right to me

[@StephaneArcher]

Dear @Qazi, I understand color theory but how do you apply it to "travel footage" for example? You didn't have control over what colors were present in your shot. All the colors are present and you can't make your sky green right?