DaVinci Resolve Saturation Tools: The Best and Worst Techniques for Cinematic Color Grading

Summary:

This video explains how to achieve filmic saturation in DaVinci Resolve by identifying and avoiding ineffective tools, while embracing advanced techniques.

The Primary Saturation slider and Color Boost are identified as the worst tools due to their outdated color models and simplistic gain operations, which often lead to artificial-looking results where colors appear emissive.
HDR Global Saturation is a decent option, introducing the concept of "physically plausible" or "subtractive" saturation, where increasing color naturally darkens the image.
The HSV node setup is highly recommended for its superior color model and ability to create a custom saturation curve using gamma and gain, allowing precise control over low, mid, and high saturations.
The Color Slice tool offers the best underlying saturation color model in Resolve and provides specific hue vector adjustments, though its primary operation is still gain.
Understanding saturation as a multi-dimensional concept, rather than a single slider, is crucial for sophisticated color grading.

DaVinci Resolve Color Slice tool interface displaying global and hue-specific saturation controls [ 00:19:20 ]

Introduction to Saturation Tools in Resolve [00:00]

Saturation is a critical but often misunderstood aspect of color grading. The video aims to demystify saturation by explaining the underlying principles and evaluating various tools in DaVinci Resolve.

Two problematic popular tools - The two most commonly used saturation tools in Resolve, the primary saturation slider and the color boost, are highlighted as ones to avoid for crafting beautiful images.
Saturation as a Derived Component [01:15] - Saturation has no specific physical definition in motion imaging; cameras and displays inherently work with Red, Green, and Blue. - Saturation is a "derived component," meaning it requires mathematical models to create a saturation channel.
Two Key Evaluation Criteria [02:45] - The effectiveness of any saturation tool depends on two factors:
- The color model used: How the saturation channel is derived.
- The operation performed: What adjustment is applied to the derived saturation channel (e.g., gain, gamma).

1st Saturation Tool to Avoid: Primary Saturation Slider [00:29]

The saturation slider found in the primaries tab is the first tool beginners often encounter but should be avoided.

DaVinci Resolve interface with the primary saturation slider highlighted [ 00:00:50 ]

Outdated Design and Purpose [01:52] - This tool was not designed for creative color grading or operating on log images. - Its original purpose was to make small adjustments to broadcast video before airing.
Problematic Color Model and Operation [02:45] - The color model used is not robust, resulting in an undesirable aesthetic. - The operation applies "gain" to the saturation channel, meaning:
- Areas already highly saturated are affected the most.
- Areas with low saturation are affected the least. - This can make highly saturated colors appear "emissive" or unnatural, like they are light sources rather than reflective surfaces.

2nd Saturation Tool to Avoid: Color Boost [03:33]

The color boost slider in the primaries tab, introduced after the primary saturation slider, aims to improve saturation control but still falls short.

Attempt to Address Primary Saturation Flaws [04:00] - Color boost was designed to mitigate the issue of the primary saturation slider over-affecting already saturated areas. - It applies more effect to low saturations and less to high saturations.
Same Flawed Color Model [05:13] - Despite its improved operation, the color boost uses the exact same underlying color model as the primary saturation slider, which is not robust or convincing. - This results in similar undesirable visual qualities, making it also a "no-fly" tool for professional grading.

Understanding "Good" Saturation: Physical Plausibility [08:32]

The concept of "good" saturation relates to how closely the digital adjustment mimics physical reality.

Subtractive Saturation (Physical Plausibility) [09:12] - In the physical world, an object becomes more saturated (reflects a narrower band of light) by absorbing more other wavelengths, which inherently makes it darker. - This is termed "subtractive saturation" or, more simply, "physically plausible saturation."
Avoiding Emissive Appearance [09:42] - Tools that disregard physical plausibility can make reflective surface colors appear "emissive" (like they are emitting light), leading to an artificial, "videoy" look. - "Good" saturation tools aim to prevent this by implicitly or explicitly making objects darker as their saturation increases.

Decent Saturation Tool: HDR Global Saturation [06:38]

The HDR palette's global saturation control represents a step up in sophistication.

DaVinci Resolve interface showing the HDR Global Saturation control in the HDR palette [ 00:07:20 ]

Improved Aesthetic [07:37] - Compared to the primary saturation, HDR global saturation yields a more organic, filmic, and less garish result. - It begins to incorporate the principle of physical plausibility, making colors feel more natural.
"Black Box" Operation [11:11] - The specific model and operation behind HDR global saturation are not fully documented in Resolve, making it a "black box." - However, judging by its visual results, the underlying model and operation are functional and provide better control than earlier tools.

Favorite Way to Get Great Saturation: HSV Node Setup [11:45]

Using an HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) node setup is one of the most effective ways to control saturation in Resolve.

Node Setup for Saturation Control [11:50] - Create a new node. - Right-click on the node and change its color space to HSV. - Right-click again and turn off channels 1 (Hue) and 3 (Value) to isolate the saturation (S) channel.

DaVinci Resolve node editor showing an HSV node setup with channels 1 and 3 disabled [ 00:12:34 ]
Shaping a Saturation Curve with Gamma and Gain [14:04] - In this HSV-only saturation node, the primary wheels (Gain, Gamma, Lift) now affect the saturation curve. - Gain: Primarily affects the highest saturations. - Gamma: Affects the mid-range saturations, pinning blacks (low saturations) and whites (high saturations). - By using gamma to boost mid-saturations and gain to control peak saturations, a custom saturation curve can be effectively shaped. - This method allows for physically plausible saturation where adding color makes areas heavier/darker.

Adjusting the gamma wheel in an HSV-enabled node to shape the saturation curve [ 00:15:00 ]
Bonus: Advanced Saturation Technique with Custom Curves [15:23] - Within the HSV node setup, custom curves can be used to exert even more precise control over the saturation response. - This allows for aggressive takeoffs in low saturations and gradual fall-offs in high saturations, providing unparalleled control over the entire saturation journey. - This is the only way to finely control saturation curves in Resolve, with one exception (HSL curves, which have their own issues).

Why to Skip HSL Saturation Curve Tools [16:45]

Despite offering curve-based control, the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) curves for saturation (Hue vs Sat, Lum vs Sat, Sat vs Sat, Sat vs Lum) are generally not recommended for adding saturation.

Flawed Underlying Model [16:56] - The saturation model used in these HSL curves is fundamentally the same problematic model found in the primary saturation slider. - This leads to similar "wonky" and undesirable results, especially when boosting saturation.
Preference for HSV Setup [17:39] - The HSV node setup with custom curves is a far superior alternative for controlling the saturation curve due to its better color model.

Best Color Model Tool: Color Slice [18:06]

The Color Slice tool is a newer addition to Resolve that offers the best saturation color model available.

DaVinci Resolve Color Slice tool interface displaying global and hue-specific saturation controls [ 00:19:20 ]

Superior Saturation Model [18:42] - The color model within Color Slice is considered the best for deriving and creating a convincing saturation channel, leading to filmic and organic adjustments.
Hue-Specific Saturation Control [20:17] - Beyond global saturation, Color Slice provides individual sliders for Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow vectors. - This allows for targeted saturation adjustments at specific hue angles, a functionality unmatched in ease and quality by other Resolve tools.
Downsides [19:55] - The primary operation applied by Color Slice is "gain," meaning it lacks the sophisticated curve shaping capabilities of the HSV node. - The "skin" vector specifically is noted as being too narrow and prone to producing noisy artifacts, and its use is highly discouraged.

Comparing Best Options: HSV Node vs. Color Slice [21:30]

For optimal saturation control, colorists should divide their time between the HSV node setup and the Color Slice tool, leveraging their respective strengths.

HSV Node Setup Pros and Cons - Pros: Offers the most comprehensive control over the overall saturation curve (low, medium, and high saturations) by manipulating gamma and gain. Uses a good HSV color model. - Cons: Does not allow for direct targeting of saturation at specific hue angles.
Color Slice Tool Pros and Cons - Pros: Features the best underlying saturation color model in Resolve. Excels at controlling saturation at specific hue angles (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow). - Cons: Primarily applies "gain" for saturation adjustments, offering limited control over the saturation curve.
Combined Approach for Comprehensive Control [22:26] - Together, these two tools provide a powerful arsenal for shaping saturation across different ranges and at precise hue angles, enabling nuanced and high-quality results.

The Multidimensionality of Saturation [23:51]

Viewing saturation as a multi-dimensional concept, rather than a single linear slider, is fundamental to advanced color grading.

Beyond a Single Axis [23:52] - Similar to contrast, saturation is not merely a single "low to high" axis. - It involves numerous dimensions of control, including:
- Low, medium, and high saturation ranges.
- Specific hue angles.
- Different underlying color models.
Unlocking Creative Freedom [24:26] - Recognizing this multidimensionality empowers colorists with immense creative freedom and expressiveness. - Moving away from simplistic tools like the primary saturation slider is the first step to harnessing this advanced control.