DaVinci Resolve Training – Color Grading and Color Correction: From Fundamentals to Advanced Techniques

Module 1: Understanding Digital Imaging

• Understand the digital image production pipeline
• Image resolution and frame rate
• Codecs, compression, and containers
• Chroma subsampling: 4:2:0, 4:2:2, and 4:4:4
• Bit depth: 8-bit, 10-bit, and 12-bit
• Understand luminance and chrominance
• Understand gamut and gamma
• Differences between Rec.709, Log, and RAW
• Understand how these parameters affect color grading

Module 2: Reading and Managing Color Correctly

• Explore the Color page
• Use Waveform, RGB Parade, and Vectorscope
• Understand scene-referred and display-referred workflows
• Introduction to monitoring and calibration
• Understand DaVinci YRGB and DaVinci YRGB Color Managed
• Understand Input Color Space, Timeline Color Space, and Output Color Space
• Use Color Space Transform
• Understand the role of LUTs in a color workflow
• Introduction to ACES principles

Module 3: Performing Primary Corrections

• Understand node logic
• Correct exposure and white balance
• Use Lift, Gamma, Gain, and Offset
• Use Contrast and Pivot
• Adjust Saturation and Color Boost
• Use curves
• Explore Log Wheels and HDR Wheels
• Understand RAW controls
• Normalize Log and RAW footage
• Begin matching multiple shots

Practical Workshop: analyze different camera sources, then balance and normalize a short sequence.

Module 4: Creating Color Consistency

• Build a Shot Matching strategy
• Use Gallery and Stills
• Compare shots using Wipe and Split Screen
• Match exposure, contrast, and color balance
• Maintain consistency between different takes
• Manage footage from multiple cameras

Module 5: Performing Secondary Corrections

• Understand the difference between primary and secondary corrections
• Isolate a color using the Qualifier
• Clean up and refine a selection
• Create and combine Power Windows
• Use Outside Nodes
• Track an area of the image
• Combine Qualifiers, Windows, and Tracking
• Work with skin tones
• Use Hue vs Hue, Hue vs Saturation, and HSL curves
• Use Color Warper
• Use Color Slice
• Explore assisted masking tools when supported by the version in use

Module 6: Building a Professional Node Tree

• Understand the importance of node order
• Use Serial Nodes
• Use Parallel Nodes
• Use the Layer Mixer
• Use Outside Nodes
• Separate technical corrections from creative corrections
• Structure a readable and reusable node tree

Practical Workshop: match a sequence and perform several localized secondary corrections.

Module 7: Optimizing and Scaling the Color Grading Workflow

• Understand Clip Nodes, Group Pre-Clip, and Group Post-Clip
• Use Timeline Nodes
• Create and use Groups
• Copy and manage grades
• Use Versions, Stills, and PowerGrades
• Create reusable node structures
• Understand the benefits of organizing the grade globally

Module 8: Developing a Look

• Separate normalization from the creative look
• Build contrast and density
• Work with color palette and color separation
• Control skin tones while developing the look
• Use LUTs appropriately
• Use selected Resolve FX for finishing
• Apply noise reduction and correct image defects
• Create multiple grading options from the same sequence

Module 9: Conforming and Delivery

• Understand the editing-to-color-grading workflow
• Import an XML timeline
• Relink original camera media
• Check the conform against an offline reference
• Check speed changes, framing, and missing media
• Check levels, gamut, and saturation
• Understand SDR and HDR principles
• Adapt Color Management to the required deliverable
• Create a master
• Perform quality control before delivery
• Archive grades and the project

Final Workshop: conform and color grade a short sequence through to the creation of the final master.

Other course(s) in this category

→ DaVinci Resolve Training – Video Editing and Post-Production Fundamentals

→ DaVinci Resolve Training – Color Grading and Color Correction: From Fundamentals to Advanced Techniques

→ DaVinci Resolve Training – Advanced Video Editing and Professional Workflows