The Easiest Way to Color Grade your Footage | Davinci Resolve + Dehancer Film Emulation

How to Color Grade Videos Like a Pro

Introduction to Color Grading

• The speaker introduces the video as a guide on color grading, emphasizing that they are not a professional but rather passionate about their craft.

• They mention that the content is based on hands-on experience and aims to help both beginners and those looking to refine their color grading process.

Tools Used for Color Grading

• The main camera used is a Sony A67 for YouTube and TikTok, with additional equipment including a Red Komodo and an A6 as backup.

• Music tracks are sourced from Epidemic Sounds for copyright-free options. Editing software includes DaVinci Resolve and the Dehancer plugin for film emulation.

• The editing setup consists of a MacBook Pro M2 16-inch, with all footage stored on NAS storage.

Workflow Overview

• The speaker starts with seven nodes in DaVinci Resolve to maintain an organized workflow. Each node serves a specific purpose in the grading process.

Node Functions Explained

1. Color Space Transform (CSD)

• Converts log footage (e.g., S Log 3) into a workable color space, setting input gamma to SLOG 3 and output gamma to Senon film log.

2. Exposure Adjustment

• Adjust overall brightness using offset control instead of exposure slider to avoid blowing out highlights.

3. Contrast Adjustment

• Uses curves instead of contrast sliders for fine-tuning shadows and highlights while preserving detail.

4. White Balance Correction

• Adjusted using offset wheel for finer control over neutralizing color casts without skewing the image.

5. Natural Saturation Setup

• Utilizes HSL method by disabling certain channels before adjusting curves for saturation without wrecking the image.

Advanced Techniques in Color Grading

• The sixth node focuses on applying film emulation through Dehancer, matching settings from previous nodes.

• Film stock selection allows customization of look; options include Fuji Eterna or Kodak Vision, each providing unique characteristics.

Additional Customization Options

• In the print tab, settings emulate final print stocks like Kodak 2383; adjustments depend on personal taste.

• Various tools allow fine-tuning of color balance across tonal ranges; grain emulation can be adjusted from clean to textured looks.

Final Touches in Color Grading

• Effects such as halation create subtle glows around bright highlights; bloom adds softness to highlights.

• Film damage effects can add vintage aesthetics by simulating scratches or dust; gate weave mimics projector jitters.

Personalization of Workflow

• Creative framing options allow cropping images into different formats like super 8mm or Polaroid styles.

• Vignetting adjustments are minimal but can enhance final touches if desired.

Conclusion: Applying Grades Across Clips

• To apply grades from one clip to another, users can save grades as still images within DaVinci Resolve for easy reuse across projects.

Color Grading Made Easy with Dehancer

Introduction to Dehancer Mobile Version

• The Hanser offers a mobile version, allowing users to grade videos and photos directly from their phones.

• Users can access Kodak or Fuji profiles, along with halation and gain controls for enhanced color grading.

• The tool supports various formats, including flat log profiles, making it versatile for different shooting styles.

Customization and User Experience

• It's emphasized that the settings are not one-size-fits-all; users should adjust them according to personal preferences.

• The speaker highlights that Dehancer simplifies the film emulation process significantly.

• A promotional code "dehancerxph" is provided for a 10% discount on purchases, indicating an opportunity for viewers to try the product.

• Viewers are encouraged to share their biggest challenges in color grading in the comments section.