Where to learn how to color grade?

[Brandon Fraley]

I'm finally at a point where I feel confident walking onto set, knowing that I'll be able to use the available tools to get best shot possible, but I'm super jealous of all these kids who can get the slickest looks ever seen in their color grade!

I used to use FCP's 3-way corrector for basicstuff like crushing the blacks a bit or tinting blue, etc. And now I'm thrilled to have RED ALERT's one light tools at my disposal and find it very versatile, but I want to know how to use the tools (including Color) to get the most striking images I can.

I watched a few tutorials for Color, but it wasn't at all about the art and creative choices of color grading.

Does anyone know of a resource that can help me learn what makes a great graded image and tips on how to achieve it? I'd love to sit in of a few session with a talented pro, but for the time being that's not an option.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

 

[jake blackstone]

I'm finally at a point where I feel confident walking onto set, knowing that I'll be able to use the available tools to get best shot possible, but I'm super jealous of all these kids who can get the slickest looks ever seen in their color grade!

I used to use FCP's 3-way corrector for basicstuff like crushing the blacks a bit or tinting blue, etc. And now I'm thrilled to have RED ALERT's one light tools at my disposal and find it very versatile, but I want to know how to use the tools (including Color) to get the most striking images I can.

I watched a few tutorials for Color, but it wasn't at all about the art and creative choices of color grading.

Does anyone know of a resource that can help me learn what makes a great graded image and tips on how to achieve it? I'd love to sit in of a few session with a talented pro, but for the time being that's not an option.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

If ever in LA, give me a call. And now, if you allow me, I'm going to state the obvious. Those slick images always start with beautifully shot images. Colorists are not magicians, cinematographers usually are

 

[Wesley Scoggins]

http://library.creativecow.net/arti...iant-blockbuster-film-look/video-tutorial.php

I liked this tutorial a lot. Stu Maschwitz talks about Color Theory, and how to balance colors in an image.

A lot of the CC he does in this is kind of down and dirty and fast, but the basic ideas behind it are still great.

Other than that, I think that if you've got the technique down, what is REALLY important is reaching outside of filmmaking, studying color theory is probably one of the most important things you can do. Picking up some basic art books at hobby lobby on color and composition would be a great start.

It's the most basic of knowledge, but learning how to balance colors between your shadows and highlights, and how that relates to the overall mood you're aiming for is one of those things that is easy to learn, but difficult to truly master.

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

Colorists are not magicians, cinematographers usually are

For a colourist a humble quote. Don't sell your self that short. I've been many times in telecine sessions where the colourist brought the magic to nicely shot pictures. Without him the cinematographer would have been lost. Or the look would have been nice but mainstream. A desired look requires not only appropriate photography but also a talented colourist making the look happen.

Hans

 

[Stefan Christou]

Wesley that link was great. Makes it look so simple.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

If ever in LA, give me a call.

I absolutely will take you up on that offer.

Colorists are not magicians, cinematographers usually are

I'm going to agree and disagree with you. A talented colorist is no more or less a magician than a talented cinematographer. Both have an incredible amount of power to create transcendent images, though usually in tandem with the other.

 

[jake blackstone]

For a colourist a humble quote. Don't sell your self that short. I've been many times in telecine sessions where the colourist brought the magic to nicely shot pictures. Without him the cinematographer would have been lost. Or the look would have been nice but mainstream. A desired look requires not only appropriate photography but also a talented colourist making the look happen.

Hans

Look at this way. it all starts with great image, not the other way around. Bad lighting or bad composition, and all bets are off. Colorists can't create the image. They can only enhance it.
Example:
files.me.com/jake4n/xgueof.mov

 

[Brandon Fraley]

http://library.creativecow.net/arti...iant-blockbuster-film-look/video-tutorial.php

I liked this tutorial a lot. Stu Maschwitz talks about Color Theory, and how to balance colors in an image.

A lot of the CC he does in this is kind of down and dirty and fast, but the basic ideas behind it are still great.

Other than that, I think that if you've got the technique down, what is REALLY important is reaching outside of filmmaking, studying color theory is probably one of the most important things you can do. Picking up some basic art books at hobby lobby on color and composition would be a great start.

It's the most basic of knowledge, but learning how to balance colors between your shadows and highlights, and how that relates to the overall mood you're aiming for is one of those things that is easy to learn, but difficult to truly master.

I actually just watched that clip last night after posting this! One thing I did learn was that "orange/teal" thing which I'm now seeing everywhere I look!

However, to use that as an example, in that video I don't like how whenever he crushes the blacks to add contrast, the dude's hair goes completely black. This is something I'm struggled with for a while. I understand that these were super quick examples, but I still don't know how to get the bright, contrasty shot from terminator he used. (not the greatest example, I did like the look of terminator).

thanks guys for the help, any more suggestions?

 

[Stefan Christou]

I think part of the problem with the actor's hair crushing straight to black is because 1. He wasn't using curves to crush the black, just a slider and 2. There was probably not enough information in the shot to crush them anyway because it was shot on DV/HDV or some similar codec that does not record enough depth in the image to be able to grade properly. If you want a good look using such acquisition codecs then you will get better results by shooting for the look you want and then •tweaking• in grade, especially when it comes to contrast/gamma.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

I think part of the problem with the actor's hair crushing straight to black is because 1. He wasn't using curves to crush the black, just a slider and 2. There was probably not enough information in the shot to crush them anyway because it was shot on DV/HDV or some similar codec that does not record enough depth in the image to be able to grade properly. If you want a good look using such acquisition codecs then you will get better results by shooting for the look you want and then •tweaking• in grade, especially when it comes to contrast/gamma.

very hard to say from that video. Yes, potentially curves would be a better option, and I'd love to know how to best implement them. I'm pretty sure the footage was not HDV. I would assume it was shot with his 5DmkII. (still not the greatest codec anyway)

 

[Tai Wah Lim]

I'm finally at a point where I feel confident walking onto set, knowing that I'll be able to use the available tools to get best shot possible, but I'm super jealous of all these kids who can get the slickest looks ever seen in their color grade!

I used to use FCP's 3-way corrector for basicstuff like crushing the blacks a bit or tinting blue, etc. And now I'm thrilled to have RED ALERT's one light tools at my disposal and find it very versatile, but I want to know how to use the tools (including Color) to get the most striking images I can.

I watched a few tutorials for Color, but it wasn't at all about the art and creative choices of color grading.

Does anyone know of a resource that can help me learn what makes a great graded image and tips on how to achieve it? I'd love to sit in of a few session with a talented pro, but for the time being that's not an option.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

Brandon, there is a 3 day intensive color course to be held next week by the same people who conducted the Reducation with Red. Lim

 

[Jim McKinney]

Brandon, there is a 3 day intensive color course to be held next week by the same people who conducted the Reducation with Red. Lim

Who is that? Do you have a link or some contact info?

 

[Jim McKinney]

. . . and here's my name.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

I too would appreciate a link. Unfortunately if it's priced at all like REDucation, I simply can't afford it right now.

 

[jake blackstone]

I too would appreciate a link. Unfortunately if it's priced at all like REDucation, I simply can't afford it right now.

I'm sure, that wasn't the answer you were looking for
On the same note, it is a well known fact, that every manufacturer, i.e. Filmlight, Autodesk, DaVinci etc, offers very advanced colorist classes, but they are all VERY expensive. Actually, they are much more expensive, than REDucation...

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

I'm sure, that wasn't the answer you were looking for
On the same note, it is a well known fact, that every manufacturer, i.e. Filmlight, Autodesk, DaVinci etc, offers very advanced colorist classes, but they are all VERY expensive. Actually, they are much more expensive, than REDucation...

I believe QUANTEL still has FREE online training... called COMPASS. But only to an associate level. Advanced workshops require access to a suite. hence spendy.

 

[Joshua Brown]

Brandon, I have found that the Color Tutorials on Lynda.com were extremely helpful firstly in helping me get comfortable with a new grading workflow (color). More importantly though it gave some really good advice on how to do some of the "magic" behind Color Correction and Grading. If nothing else, it will give you a good leg up over the 3way CC in Final Cut. At the monthly rate that Lynda charges, if you watch the whole series in one month, I think it's a MUCH better value than the tutorials for free and purchase at Creative Cow. Just my 2 cents.

- J.A. Brown

 

[Brandon Fraley]

I'm sure, that wasn't the answer you were looking for
On the same note, it is a well known fact, that every manufacturer, i.e. Filmlight, Autodesk, DaVinci etc, offers very advanced colorist classes, but they are all VERY expensive. Actually, they are much more expensive, than REDucation...

I figured as much. I certainly understand that you get what you pay for, it's just right now I'm having a difficult time making a living and $1000+ is out of the question for me at the moment.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

Brandon, I have found that the Color Tutorials on Lynda.com were extremely helpful firstly in helping me get comfortable with a new grading workflow (color). More importantly though it gave some really good advice on how to do some of the "magic" behind Color Correction and Grading. If nothing else, it will give you a good leg up over the 3way CC in Final Cut. At the monthly rate that Lynda charges, if you watch the whole series in one month, I think it's a MUCH better value than the tutorials for free and purchase at Creative Cow. Just my 2 cents.

- J.A. Brown

Thanks J.A. Lynda is about $20 a month or so, right? I think I should do that regardless.

Any more suggestions?

 

[jake blackstone]

I believe QUANTEL still has FREE online training... called COMPASS. But only to an associate level. Advanced workshops require access to a suite. hence spendy.

Hey, no problem. Let me whip out $400,000 to buy Pablo and I'm all set