Understanding and Applying Filmic Saturation with Color Slicer in DaVinci Resolve 19

Learn Color Grading

Summary:

This video explains why standard saturation often ruins the "filmic look" and introduces DaVinci Resolve 19's new Color Slicer effect as a solution. The Color Slicer allows for controlled saturation adjustments without affecting brightness, unlike global saturation controls. Key controls for each color in the Color Slicer are Saturation, Density (brightness push down), Hue, and Center (refinement of selection). The workflow involves identifying the target color area, refining the selection using Hue and Center controls, then adjusting saturation and density for a dense, filmic look. Applying this method helps achieve a more cinematic feel, avoiding the harsh, bright appearance of standard saturation boosts, especially important for maintaining image integrity and avoiding artifacts like contrasty edges.

The Problem with Standard Saturation [0:01:51]

Standard saturation controls can ruin the "filmic look" because they increase both color saturation and brightness.

• This results in an unnatural, "TV-like" appearance rather than a dense, cinematic feel.
• An example demonstrating how increasing regular saturation makes red sections brighter and less filmic [0:03:47].

Introducing DaVinci Resolve 19's Color Slicer [0:00:47]

The Color Slicer is a powerful new tool in DaVinci Resolve 19 that allows for more controlled and filmic saturation adjustments.

• It enables increasing saturation without significantly boosting brightness, preserving the filmic quality.
• The Color Slicer works by allowing individual control over specific color ranges within an image.
• Color Slicer vs. Regular Saturation Comparison [0:01:29]
  • An example shows a dessert image treated with regular saturation versus Color Slicer.
  • The Color Slicer version appears more filmic because it does not increase brightness alongside saturation [0:01:46].

    

Understanding Color Slicer Controls [0:03:05]

Each color in the Color Slicer has four main controls, which can be thought of as a simplified version of a qualifier effect.

• 1. Saturation [0:03:36]
  • Directly increases the color intensity of the selected color range.
  • Unlike global saturation, this is a controlled increase without affecting brightness as much.
  • Demonstration [0:03:36]
    • Increasing red saturation with the Color Slicer results in a denser red without becoming overly bright.
• 2. Density (Brightness Push Down) [0:04:09]
  • This control is counterintuitive; increasing it pushes the brightness of the selected color section down.
  • Effectively lowers the luminance of the selected color, contributing to a "denser" look.
  • Analogy [0:04:35]
    • Think of it as "saturation" and "brightness push down."
• 3. Hue [0:04:42]
  • Allows for changing the specific shade or color of the selected range.
  • Useful for fine-tuning colors to better match the desired aesthetic or correct inaccuracies.
• 4. Center (Refinement of Selection) [0:04:58]
  • Acts as a refinement tool for the color selection, similar to a basic qualifier.
  • Helps to precisely target specific pixels based on their color, preventing unintended areas from being affected.
  • Demonstration [0:05:20]
    • Adjusting the "Center" for red pixels to ensure only the desired red elements are controlled.

5-Step Filmic Saturation Workflow with Color Slicer [0:09:14]

This workflow ensures precise and filmic saturation adjustments.

• Step 1: Identify and Isolate the Color [0:09:16]
  • Click on the indicator button above the desired color control (e.g., red, yellow, cyan) to see which parts of the image it currently affects.
• Step 2: Adjust Hue for Visibility [0:09:30]
  • Temporarily change the Hue of the selected color to an unnatural color (e.g., blue) to clearly see the masked area.
• Step 3: Refine Selection with Center Control [0:09:35]
  • Use the "Center" control to refine the selection, ensuring only the intended parts of the image are affected.
• Step 4: Reset Hue and Apply Saturation/Density [0:09:43]
  • Double-click the "Hue" word to reset it to its original position.
  • Increase the "Saturation" for the selected color.
  • Increase the "Density" to push down the brightness, creating a richer, denser color.
• Step 5: Address Edge Artifacts (Optional) [0:11:26]
  • If "contrasty areas" appear around edges, it indicates an issue with color selection blending.
  • Refine the "Center" controller for the affected colors (e.g., cyan for sky) to smooth out the transitions and remove artifacts.
  • This creates smoother borders between selected and unselected areas.

    

    

    

Practical Application Examples [0:05:42]

• Dessert Image Example [0:05:42]
  • Initial color correction applied (lift down, gain down, increase gain).
  • Regular saturation applied, demonstrating loss of filmic look [0:06:01].
  • Using Color Slicer for strawberries (red) and crust (yellow) [0:06:08].
    • Refined red selection to control only strawberries [0:06:31].
    • Applied saturation and density to achieve a beautiful, dense red [0:07:21].
    • Refined yellow selection for the crust [0:08:09].
    • Applied saturation and density to yellow for a vibrant crust [0:08:29].
  • Comparison highlights the superior filmic look achieved with Color Slicer [0:08:44].

    

• Outdoor Scene Example [0:10:06]
  • Corrected buildings, grass (yellow), and sky (cyan).
  • Demonstrated fixing side effects like contrasty edges by refining the "Center" control for the cyan selection [0:11:51].
• Coffee Shop Interior Example [0:12:25]
  • Applied initial grade.
  • Used Color Slicer to enhance the wooden background (skin/red area) and blue labels (cyan) [0:13:08].
  • Achieved a more cinematic look with dense colors, contrasting sharply with the "90s TV show" look of standard saturation [0:14:37].