Achieving Cinematic Skin Tones and Film Look in DaVinci Resolve: The 3 Key Settings and Workflow

Luca Epifani

Setting Up the Color Management Base [0:50]

The first crucial step is to establish the correct color management settings within DaVinci Resolve to ensure consistent and accurate color representation from editing to export across various devices.

• Accessing Settings: Navigate to the settings menu, then to color management.
• Configuring Color Science:
  • Set the Color Science to "DaVinci YRGB".
  • Set the Timeline Color Space to "DaVinci Wide Gamut Intermediate".
  • Set the Output Color Space to "Rec. 709 Gamma 2.4".
• Benefits of this Setup: This configuration prevents color shifts upon export and ensures footage looks the same on different screens, such as a phone.

  

Building the Node Tree Base [1:57]

A structured node tree is essential for a clean and efficient color grading workflow.

• Initial Color Space Transform (CST) In:
  • Start the node tree with a CST node.
  • This node transforms the footage from its original camera log format (e.g., Sony S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3 for an FX3) into the DaVinci Wide Gamut Intermediate timeline color space.
• Later Color Space Transform (CST) Out:
  • While a CST out node typically ends the tree, this specific workflow will deviate later for the film look.
  • Initially, set a CST out to convert from DaVinci Wide Gamut Intermediate to Rec. 709 Gamma 2.4 to see a "normal" flat but not log image.

    

Adjusting the Primaries [3:15]

Primaries involve fundamental image adjustments like contrast, white balance, and curves, typically handled together in a single node for cleanliness.

• Adding Contrast:
  • Use the curves panel to create an S-curve, which effectively adds contrast to the image.
• White Balance Adjustment with Primary Color Wheels:
  • Avoid Temperature/Tint Sliders: Directly adjusting temperature and tint shifts the entire image uniformly, which is not ideal for precise white balancing.
  • Utilize Primary Color Wheels: These wheels allow for independent adjustment of shadows, midtones, and highlights across RGB channels.
    • Scientific Approach (Waveforms): Observe the RGB waveforms; if the red, blue, and green lines are not aligned at the top (highlights) and bottom (shadows), the white balance is off. Adjust the corresponding wheels until they are balanced.

      

    • Subjective Refinement: After scientific balancing, review the image and make artistic adjustments based on the desired look (e.g., cooler shadows, warmer highlights).

      

    • Example Adjustment: Slightly lower red in shadows and increase blue in highlights for a cooler overall feel.
• Workflow Improvement: Mastering white balance with primary color wheels significantly speeds up the grading process.

Applying the Cinematic Look [6:00]

Achieving a cinematic aesthetic goes beyond basic adjustments; it often involves applying a "look" through a LUT (Look Up Table).

• Using Kodak 2383 LUT:
  • DaVinci Resolve includes free Kodak 2383 LUTs (D55, D60, D65 for different color temperatures) known for their cinematic quality.
  • These LUTs are designed for Cineon Log footage.
• Preparing for the LUT:
  • Create two new nodes after the primaries.
  • First New Node (CST for LUT): Add another CST node.
    • Convert the footage from Rec. 709 Gamma 2.4 (which is the output of the previous CST) to Rec. 709 Cineon Log, making it compatible with the Kodak 2383 LUT.
  • Second New Node (LUT Application): Drag and drop the desired Kodak 2383 LUT onto this node.

    

• Adjusting LUT Opacity (Optional): While the LUT often looks good as is, you can adjust its opacity if desired.

Refining Skin Tones [7:26]

After applying the overall cinematic look, specific adjustments to skin tones ensure they appear natural and pleasing.

• Using DaVinci Resolve's Color Slices Tool:
  • Create a new node directly after the primaries node.
  • Access the Color Slices tool (introduced in DaVinci Resolve 18).
  • Skin Tab: Utilize the dedicated "Skin" tab for precise control over skin attributes.
    • Adjust Density to smooth out skin texture.
    • Reduce Saturation slightly to prevent an unnatural, overly vibrant look.
  • Masking (if needed): If the Color Slices tool affects unintended areas, create and track a power window mask around the subject's face to isolate the skin tone adjustments.

    

    

• Enhancing Skin Contrast (with Mask): If a mask is used, further refine the skin within the masked area by adding a subtle contrast curve and lifting shadows to make the face "pop."

Adding the Final Film Look [8:44]

To complete the cinematic transformation, add subtle film-like characteristics.

• Using the Film Look Creator:
  • Create a final node at the end of the node tree.
  • Apply the "Film Look Creator" tool (a relatively recent addition to DaVinci Resolve).
  • Customizing Film Elements: Use a "clean slate" preset and then manually add:
    • Film Grain: To simulate the texture of film stock.
    • Halation: To replicate the glow around bright areas characteristic of film.
    • Bloom: To further soften highlights and create a dreamy quality.
• Overall Impact: These additions create an organic film aesthetic without resorting to external filters.