Color grading video: correction, LUTs and creative looks
Grading gives video a cinematic, consistent look. Learn the correction-then-grade workflow, LUTs and scopes in DaVinci Resolve.
Color grading in video follows the same principle as photography: correct first, then create a look. The difference is consistency across hundreds of clips.
1. Correct
Balance exposure, white balance and contrast for each clip so they match. Use scopes: waveform for brightness, vectorscope for color and skin tones.
2. Convert log footage
For S-Log3, apply a conversion LUT or color space transform to Rec.709 before grading.
3. Match shots
Shots from different cameras or times of day must match. Use reference frames and the color match tools in Resolve.
4. Grade
Create the creative look: warm and golden for weddings, clean and bright for real estate, teal and orange for travel and action.
5. Protect skin tones
The vectorscope’s skin tone line helps keep faces natural regardless of the grade.
LUTs
Creative LUTs are shortcuts, but adjust their intensity; applying them at 100 percent often looks heavy.
Export
Export in Rec.709 for most online platforms, with consistent brightness across devices.
