What is the difference between color correction and color grading

To understand the difference between color correction and color grading, we need to realize that they are both parts of a technical process in post-production. Color correction is usually done before color grading. Color correction is a technical process that adjusts hue, saturation, and brightness to bring overall color in line with the human eye. It brings consistency across the footage and corrects any technical color errors.

There are some simple ways to correct color on a basic level. Do keep in mind that every adjustment in each step affects one another, so you will have to go back to earlier steps to make the necessary changes.

White balance is a process to attain a true white in an image or video so that all the other colors fall in the right areas. Light ranges from warm to cool tones, so adjusting white balance is about changing the temperature and tint by adding more warmness or coolness.

A curves application is usually utilized to fine-tune white, grey, and black levels in post-production. Exposure is the measure of how bright or dark the footage or photo is. To set it at its proper exposure, adjust levels of brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks.

Using curves. This tool allows you to have control over hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast within one interface. The three wheels control either highlights, mid-tones, or shadows of your video. Here are basics about color grading vs. Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between color correction and color grading, check out another key piece of information in the world of editing color.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. June 2, In this post, learn what the difference is between color correction vs color grading. Facebook Twitter Email. Related Posts. While color grading is where you create the actual aesthetic of your video, the right color grading helps convey a visual tone or mood.

To sum it up, take a look at this second video that quickly explains the differences between color correction and color grading. Color Correction Color correction refers to the process where each clip of footage is altered to match a consistent standard of appearance. Color correcting changes an image to portray how the human eye would see it.

Going back to the notes that were created in pre-production will assist greatly in the color grading process. We can look at color grading in two types of productions: live-action production and animation. In live-action production, the color theme can either be determined before or after production begins.

For animation, however, the color theme must be determined prior to production. As for the decision-makers of the color grading process, color grading decisions are heavily influenced by the director of the project and the director of photography DP. Our video editors use color grading software for video, which includes color grading , color correction, video coloring , color balance and generally any and all types of color work.

While the bulk of video editing work may be done in a video editing software such as Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro, often there is need for a separate c olor tool such as Academy Color Encoding System or Davinci Resolve. ACES is a great color tool for those who may be freelancing or for those who need to make quick color adjustments. While ACES is a fantastic standalone color tool, it is not always necessary.

Sometimes it is simpler to use an all-in-one type of program. The decision to use one color tool versus a program that contains a multitude of tools is a personal choice.

Davinci Resolve is a plethora of software tools built into one. It combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production. Some of the key color grading features in Davinci Resolve include the node editor, the gallery, the timeline, the color palette which consists of color wheels , and plenty more. Color grading is an extremely complex and nuanced portion of the post-production process.

We hope we have expanded your knowledge of what color grading is and why you should let us assist you in editing video color for your project! Subscribe to our newsletter and keep updated on our exciting projects in various stages of development:.

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