3 Effective Split Toning Methods in Davinci Resolve Explained

Summary:

This video demonstrates three distinct methods for achieving split toning effects in DaVinci Resolve.

The first method uses RGB Curves, allowing precise control over color adjustments in highlights and shadows by manipulating individual color channels.
The second method utilizes the HDR tab, providing intuitive color wheels for quickly applying warm tones to highlights and cool tones to shadows, with adjustable zone controls.
The third method involves creating a Luma Key to isolate specific luminance ranges, enabling targeted color grading for either highlights or shadows and ensuring smooth transitions.

The final split tone effect with warm highlights and cool shadows achieved through Luma keying [ 00:11:07 ]

Understanding Split Toning in DaVinci Resolve [00:00]

Split toning involves applying different color casts to the highlights and shadows of an image, typically using complementary colors.

Method 1: RGB Curves for Split Toning [00:40]

The RGB Curves panel offers fine-tuned control over color adjustments in highlights and shadows.

Applying Warmth to Highlights [00:59]
- Select the red curve and pull the upper part of the curve upwards to inject red into highlights.
  
  Adjusting the red RGB curve to add warmth to highlights [ 00:01:35 ]
- To prevent shadows from being affected, add a control point lower on the curve and push it down to hug the unity line, isolating the highlight adjustment.
- Similarly, subtract blue from the highlights by pulling the blue curve downwards in the upper section, which introduces yellow, a complementary color to blue.
  
  Adjusting the blue RGB curve to subtract blue (add yellow) to highlights [ 00:02:18 ]
- Again, use a control point to hug the unity line in the lower section of the blue curve, protecting the shadows from the yellow cast.
Applying Coolness to Shadows [02:49]
- To inject cyan into shadows, select the red curve and pull the lower part of the curve downwards (subtracting red).
  
  Adjusting the red RGB curve downwards to inject cyan into shadows [ 00:02:54 ]
- Ensure highlights remain unaffected by placing a control point higher on the curve and aligning it with the unity line.
- To inject blue into shadows, select the blue curve and push the lower part of the curve upwards.
  
  Adjusting the blue RGB curve upwards to inject blue into shadows [ 00:03:39 ]
- Protect highlights from this adjustment by placing a control point higher on the blue curve and aligning it with the unity line.

Method 2: HDR Tab for Split Toning [04:10]

The HDR tab provides a more intuitive and visually driven approach to split toning, using color wheels and zone controls.

Applying Coolness to Shadows [04:39]
- Navigate to the HDR tab and use the shadow trackball to push cool tones into the shadows.
  
  DaVinci Resolve's HDR tab with color wheels, highlighting the Shadow color wheel [ 00:04:29 ]
- Utilize the zone graph to visualize and adjust the affected luminance range, ensuring the effect primarily targets shadows without significantly contaminating highlights.
  
  Visualizing the affected shadow region when applying coolness in HDR tab [ 00:04:54 ]
  
  Adjusting the zone graph in the HDR tab to refine shadow selection [ 00:05:19 ]
- This allows for precise control over which parts of the image are affected by the shadow adjustment.
Applying Warmth to Highlights [05:39]
- Use the light trackball in the HDR tab to push warm tones into the highlights.
  
  Adjusting the HDR Light trackball to add warmth to highlights [ 00:05:48 ]
- Fine-tune the pivot point in the zone graph to control the transition between warm highlights and cool shadows, creating a balanced split tone effect.
  
  The HDR zone graph illustrating the pivot point for highlight adjustment [ 00:06:13 ]

Method 3: Luma Key for Split Toning [07:15]

The Luma Key method offers precise isolation of luminance ranges, enabling targeted color grading for highlights and shadows in separate nodes.

Isolating Highlights for Warmth [07:45]
- Create a new serial node and open the Qualifier tab.
  
  DaVinci Resolve interface showing the Qualifier tab for Luma Keying [ 00:07:48 ]
- Select the 'Luma' option to isolate luminance.
- Adjust the 'Low' point in the luminance control to select the highlight region.
  
  Visualizing isolated highlights using the Luma qualifier in DaVinci Resolve [ 00:08:13 ]
- Use 'Shift+H' to visualize the affected area (white represents affected, grey unaffected).
- Increase 'Low Soft' to create a smooth transition and avoid harsh edges.
  
  Adjusting the 'Low Soft' control to create a smooth transition for the highlight Luma key [ 00:08:57 ]
- With the highlights isolated, apply warmth using the 'Gain' control in the primary color wheels.
  
  Applying warmth to isolated highlights using the Gain control in the primary color wheels [ 00:09:07 ]
Isolating Shadows for Coolness [09:26]
- Create a second serial node.
- In the Qualifier tab, select 'Luma' again.
  
  Setting up a second serial node with the Qualifier tab for shadow isolation [ 00:09:53 ]
- Adjust the 'High' point in the luminance control to isolate the shadow region.
  
  Visualizing isolated shadows using the Luma qualifier for targeted grading [ 00:10:02 ]
- Use 'Shift+H' to confirm the selected shadow area.
- Increase 'High Soft' to ensure a soft transition.
  
  Adjusting the 'High Soft' control to ensure a soft transition for the shadow Luma key [ 00:10:27 ]
- With shadows isolated, apply cool tones using the 'Lift' control in the primary color wheels.
  
  Applying cool tones to isolated shadows using the Lift control in the primary color wheels [ 00:10:52 ]
- Combine both nodes to see the complete split tone effect, with warm highlights and cool shadows achieved through precise luminance keying.
  
  The final split tone effect achieved by combining two Luma key nodes [ 00:11:07 ]