Dos & Don'ts of Color Correction/Grading

Color correction and color grading, the adjustment of proper exposure/shadows and mood-setting respectively, are important but sometimes overlooked.

For new-to-novice video editors, color correction and grading may be the type of editing you kinda know but should probably get a little better at. In today’s post, we will fill you in on a few on-the-fly tips that pros use.

1. Consider Color Correction BEFORE Shooting

Your work should begin even before shooting, and while there are a wide array of pre-settings available online, it's best to avoid default color profiles. Instead use "flat" color profiles which allow more flexibility when editing in post. You can do this by limiting the amount of in-camera color you’re using. 

When preparing for a shoot, adjust shadows, highlights, midtones and saturations in that order. By this we mean consider decreasing shadows during the day and increasing highlights to provide a good contrast without overexposing anything. Saturation should come at the end, and only in the event that you want a more vibrant image.

2. Sometimes Separate, Sometimes Saturate

If you're about to turn up the saturation to get that colorful pop, you should also consider using split-toning, which is getting cooler colors into the shadows while boosting warmer colors in the highlights. This will add some depth to the shot. Always consider separating before saturating.

3. Invest In The Tools

From your monitor down to your editing software of choice, the tools you use matter. For monitor specs, look for something that has at least 90% of the range for sRGBor REC.709 color space (standard camera encoding color space for HDTV). Your budget will determine what software you're using, but for a starting point, Premiere Pro offers solid color correction as a part of its suite and is easy to use.

4. Avoid The Common Mistakes

There are a few cardinal rules with color correcting/grading, so it’s best to learn from others here. 

• Don't overgrade when "crushing the blacks," and similarly make sure your shots are always white balanced. 

• Don't forget to match the color grading between shots, and ensure your keys/tracking are tight.

• As we outlined earlier, make sure your monitor is calibrated and capable of handling your color space. 

• Take some breaks between edits to refresh your eyesight, so as to avoid over-grading when you're tied up by a deadline.

5. Keep Creativity Cooking

It's easy to stick to the status quo and industry expectations when starting off as a newbie, but it’s important to experiment when time allows. We all know when we're supposed to feel gloomy or anxious based on certain gradings, but there's more to be explored. Consider how vastly different the visuals are between Michael Bay's Transformer pentalogy and any of Wes Anderson's filmography. There are so many different tools and techniques, meaning lots of potentially uncharted territory when it comes to unique styles. And when you find something that works, take notes and save those settings. 

Finally, once you’ve mastered the world of color editing and you go on to produce a pretty rad project, give it the proper send-off with a video delivery platform like MediaZilla!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why should you plan color correction before you start shooting?

Starting with flat color profiles during pre-shoot preparation gives you more flexibility in post-production editing. By adjusting shadows, highlights, midtones, and saturation in that order during pre-planning, you can ensure good contrast without overexposure. Avoiding default color profiles means you have better control over the final look.

Q2. What is split-toning and when should you use it?

Split-toning is adding cooler colors to shadows while boosting warmer colors in the highlights, which adds depth to your shot. You should consider split-toning before simply increasing saturation, as this technique creates more visual sophistication than saturation alone and prevents the "flat colorful" look.

Q3. What tools and monitor specs do you need for color correction?

Your monitor should have at least 90% of the sRGB or REC.709 color space range (standard HDTV encoding). Your editing software choice depends on budget—solid color correction tools are available in professional suites that offer both capability and user-friendly interfaces for beginners and professionals alike.

Q4. What are the cardinal mistakes to avoid in color grading?

Avoid over-grading when crushing blacks, ensure shots are properly white-balanced, match color grading across all shots, keep keys and tracking tight, verify your monitor is calibrated, and take regular breaks to avoid eye fatigue and over-grading under deadline pressure.

Q5. How do you develop a unique color grading style?

Experiment with different tools and techniques beyond industry defaults, as there's vast territory for unique visual styles. When you find techniques that work for your projects, take notes and save those settings for future use. This builds a personal color grading library that reflects your creative vision.