DaVinci Resolve Color Grading: Beginner-Friendly and Advanced Workflows for Cinematic Looks

Final Touch Studio

Summary:

This guide offers two distinct color grading workflows in DaVinci Resolve, catering to both beginners and advanced users aiming for a cinematic aesthetic.

• Beginner Workflow (7 Nodes):
  • Starts with essential DaVinci Resolve color management settings for consistent results.
  • Details setting up an input and output color space transform (e.g., Sony S-Gamut 3 / S-Log 3 to DaVinci YGamut Intermediate and then to Rec.709) to maximize image potential.
  • Covers basic contrast adjustments using sliders and pivots to add dimension.
  • Explains color balancing with the vectorscope to neutralize tints, achieving a natural base.
  • Introduces creating a "look" by establishing a cinematic palette of warmer highlights and cooler shadows using lift, gamma, and gain, alongside log wheel adjustments.
  • Demonstrates how to use HSV to enhance color saturation without affecting luminance.
  • Concludes the beginner section by applying ColorSlice for deep, rich film density.

    

• Advanced Workflow (Pro-Level Film Texture):
  • Explores adding professional film texture elements such as chromatic aberration, film halation, and custom film grain.
  • Each step aims to replicate the characteristics of film, going beyond basic color adjustments to achieve a polished, high-end look.

Introduction [00:00:00]

This video provides a comprehensive guide to color grading in DaVinci Resolve, presenting two distinct workflows: a beginner-friendly 7-node setup and an advanced workflow for achieving pro-level film texture. The goal is to simplify the color grading process, enabling users to achieve cinematic results more efficiently.

Node Tree Setup [00:01:00]

The tutorial begins by outlining the construction of a beginner-friendly node tree, emphasizing a streamlined approach compared to overly complex setups.

• Initial DaVinci Resolve Project Settings [00:01:07]
  • Navigate to color management settings.
  • Set Timeline Color Space to DaVinci YRGB Intermediate.
  • Set Output Color Space to Rec.709 Gamma 2.4 (or Rec.709A for MacBook users). This ensures consistent color representation across different viewing platforms.

    

• Building and Labeling the 7-Node Tree [00:01:30]
  • Add seven serial nodes (using Option+S on Mac).
  • Label each node based on its intended function for clarity and organization: Color Space, Contrast, Balance, Look, HSV, ColorSlice, etc.

    

Color Space Transform [00:02:03]

The first critical step involves correctly transforming the footage into a working color space, which allows for maximum creative control and dynamic range.

• Applying Color Space Transform (CST) [00:02:10]
  • Drag the Color Space Transform effect into two nodes: an IDT (Input Device Transform) node and an ODT (Output Device Transform) node.
  • This creates a wide working range, providing more flexibility for color grading.

    

• Configuring IDT Node (Input) [00:02:31]
  • For Sony footage, set Input Color Space to Sony S-Gamut3 and Input Gamma to Sony S-Log3.
  • Set Output Color Space to DaVinci Wide Gamut and Output Gamma to DaVinci Intermediate.
  • This converts the camera's log footage into DaVinci Resolve's native wide gamut color space.

    

• Configuring ODT Node (Output) [00:02:44]
  • Set Output Color Space to Rec.709 and Output Gamma to Rec.709 Gamma 2.4 (or Rec.709A for MacBook).
  • This transforms the wide gamut footage back into a standard viewing space for consistent output.

    

    

• Understanding Rec.709 and DCI [00:02:56]
  • Rec.709 is the standard for High Definition Television (HDTV), defining color gamut, luminance, and signal characteristics for HD content, ensuring consistency across various screens and platforms.

    

  • P3-DCI is the color standard for digital theatrical projection, used for projects intended for cinema release.

Contrast Adjustment [00:03:34]

After establishing the color space, the next step is to add contrast, bringing dimension and depth back into the image.

• Adjusting Contrast and Pivot [00:03:48]
  • Utilize the contrast slider to increase or decrease contrast.
  • Use the pivot slider to control where the contrast adjustment is centered.
  • Pivoting right darkens the image (targeting shadows), while pivoting left brightens it (targeting highlights).
• Example Settings [00:04:12]
  • Set contrast around 1.4 and pivot around .563 to achieve desired depth and texture.

    

• Impact on Image [00:04:21]
  • This single node can significantly enhance the image, adding texture to elements like rocks and depth to faces.

    

Color Balance [00:04:33]

Addressing any unwanted color casts is crucial for a natural-looking image, even if the final look will be stylized.

• Neutralizing Color Tints [00:04:44]
  • Go to the Balance node.
  • Use the Vectorscope to identify and neutralize dominant color tints.
  • Adjust the Offset wheel in the opposite direction of the dominant tint (e.g., shift away from blue to balance a blue cast).

    

• Result [00:04:53]
  • The image becomes more neutral and balanced, making the subject stand out and surroundings appear more natural.

    

Creating the "Look" [00:05:27]

This stage involves shaping the image to achieve a specific cinematic aesthetic, often through intentional color separation.

• Cinematic Color Palette [00:05:29]
  • Aim for warmer highlights to draw attention to the subject.
  • Introduce cooler midtones and shadows to add depth and mood.
  • This contrast between warm and cool tones is key to a cinematic feel.

    

• Adjusting Lift, Gamma, and Gain [00:05:48]
  • Use the Lift, Gamma, and Gain wheels to apply these color shifts.
  • Example settings provided for Lift (0.02, -0.02, 0.00), Gamma (0.00, 0.00, 0.00), and Gain (1.07, 1.07, 0.91).

    

• Refining with Log Wheels [00:05:50]
  • Decrease the low and high ranges in the log wheels to gain more precise control over highlight and shadow areas.
  • This helps DaVinci Resolve better detect and adjust shadows and highlights based on the overall exposure.

    

HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) [00:06:28]

This technique allows for independent control of color intensity without affecting the image's luminance.

• Gamma for Saturation [00:06:34]
  • Enable HSV in the color wheels.
  • Disable channels 1 and 3 to allow Gamma to control saturation instead of brightness.
  • Increase Gamma to make colors richer without over-exposing highlights.
  • This method controls color intensity without altering luminance, preventing blown-out highlights that might occur with the standard saturation slider.

    

• Adjusting Gamma and Gain [00:07:03]
  • Increase Gamma and slightly lower Gain (e.g., Gamma to 1.00, Gain to 0.94, 0.94, 0.84) to achieve rich overall density and saturation.

    

ColorSlice [00:07:16]

The final step in the beginner workflow adds a layer of deep film density.

• Enhancing Film Density [00:07:17]
  • Enable ColorSlice to add deep, rich film density.
  • ColorSlice amplifies the effects of the previous HSV node, making colors deeper rather than simply replacing previous adjustments.
  • This deepens the saturation of elements like the woman's dress and the rocks, creating a more pronounced film look.

    

    

• Outcome [00:07:47]
  • The result is a deeply rich film look that is easily replicable.
  • It's important to remember that these are foundational tools, and adjustments may be necessary for different projects.

    

Advanced Workflow [00:08:03]

This section introduces professional techniques to elevate footage to a high-end, film-like texture.

• Chromatic Aberration [00:08:31]
  • Definition: An optical distortion where the lens fails to focus all colors (reds, greens, blues) at a single point, creating color fringes around edges, a characteristic of older film lenses.
  • Application:
    • Create a Power Window around the subject.
    • Invert the window and soften its edges.
    • Apply chromatic aberration in the effects tab with specific settings (e.g., Red - Blue Edge: -0.344, Green - Purple Edge: 0.264, Blue - Yellow Edge: -0.587).
    • This effect is applied to the periphery, making the distortion subtle and not distracting from the subject.
    • Lower the exposure in curves to make the subject stand out further.

      

• Film Blur [00:09:24]
  • Adjust the H/V Ratio to focus primarily on the edges of the shot.
  • Increase the Radius by a few points to remove digital sharpness.
  • This softens the digital edges, contributing to a more organic, film-like appearance.

    

• Film Halation [00:09:42]
  • Definition: The spreading of light beyond its proper boundaries on film, creating a soft glow, especially around bright areas.
  • Application:
    • Use Resolve's built-in Halation effect found in the effects tab.
    • The key is to keep the halation subtle.
    • Adjust Strength and Spread so the effect is noticeable only upon close inspection, preventing an overly harsh or artificial look.
    • This subtle application helps sell the cinematic texture without overwhelming the image.

      

      

• Custom Film Grain [00:10:16]
  • While Resolve offers many grain presets, creating a custom build allows for precise control.
  • Adjustments: Focus on Grain Size, Grain Strength, and Softness.
  • Example settings for custom grain: Grain Size: 0.258, Grain Strength: 1.000, Softness: 0.500.

    

  • Applying film grain is the final touch to enhance the overall film aesthetic.

    

Conclusion [00:10:38]

These beginner and advanced node tree variations are designed to make color grading quicker and more effective. By using a structured workflow, there's no need for guesswork or adding unnecessary nodes for adjustments. Specific issues like darkness or saturation can be addressed within their dedicated nodes (Exposure, HSV, respectively).