Color Grading

Color grading

Watch as an animation →

In plain words

Unify the overall color and contrast to create a mood and a brand tone.

When to use it

Every final cut.

Example videos

Color Grading 101 - Everything You Need to Know — Explainer: See the basic flow of color grading: match exposure and contrast, then apply a look.
Color Correction vs Color Grading Explained | Cinecom.net — Explainer: Compare the difference between color correction and color grading on the same scene, before and after.
AI Filmmaking Tutorial: 22 Color Grading Prompts That Actually Work — AI: See the results of setting a color look with prompts at the AI video generation stage.
Runhaar — Can AI Actually Help Your Color Grade? I Tested Higgsfield — AI

In AI video, like this

Exposure and contrast differ from clip to clip, so match brightness and contrast first, and then apply a look. In ffmpeg you can use eq, curves, and colorbalance, but if you can use Resolve, that is better.

One-click prompt

Match brightness and contrast first, then give the whole timeline one look with cool shadows and warm highlights: ffmpeg -i in.mp4 -vf "eq=contrast=1.08:saturation=1.12,colorbalance=rs=-0.03:bs=0.04:rh=0.04:bh=-0.03" -c:a copy out.mp4. Use the same settings on every clip so the film feels consistent.

See it in real films and ads

Film Riot — Color Grading 101

AI-made examples

Runhaar — Can AI Actually Help Your Color Grade? I Tested Higgsfield

Recommended for scenes like these

Travel Vlog ArrivalCafe & Food VlogWork & Workout Routine MontageTransition ReelInterview PortraitProduct Hero AdBeauty & Cosmetics AdFood & Drink AdCar AdBrand FilmPublic Service CampaignSpace & Real Estate PromoPerformance Music VideoNarrative Story Music VideoWedding HighlightThriller: Rising TensionComedy: Reaction GagFantasy: World RevealMusical: When the Song BeginsDisaster: Everyday Life CollapsesSports: The Decisive MomentMartial Arts: Readable Fight ChoreographyHeist: Plan vs. ExecutionSuperhero: The Team AssemblesHero Entrance ShotCentered SymmetryThe Matrix — Rooftop Bullet TimeChildren of Men — Car Ambush Long TakeJurassic Park — Water Glass RipplesInception — Rotating Hallway FightThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring — Forced Perspective at Bag EndHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone — First Sight of HogwartsPan's Labyrinth — Hidden Wipes Through TreesVertigo — Bell Tower StairwellThe Shining — Big Wheel Hallway, Low-Mode SteadicamThe Shining — Grady Twins HallwaySaving Private Ryan — Omaha Beach D-Day LandingMad Max: Fury Road — Desert Chase with Center Framing1917 — The Continuous-Shot IllusionMission: Impossible — Silent Vault Wire DropThe Godfather — Baptism Cross-CuttingGoodfellas — Copacabana Steadicam Long TakePulp Fiction — The Trunk ShotTitanic — "I'm Flying" Bow Scene at SunsetSingin' in the Rain — Title Number Dance in the RainCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon — Bamboo Treetop DuelOldboy — Corridor Hammer Fight in One TakeParasite — Descending Stairs in the RainMemories of Murder — Ending Stare into the CameraThe Host — The Monster's Broad-Daylight Debut on the RiverbankTrain to Busan — Door-Slamming Chase Through the Train Cars

Techniques that pair well

35mm FilmClose-Up (CU)Motivated LightingDepth LayeringPractical Lighting
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