How I Color Grade my Videos [FOR FREE!] in DaVinci Resolve 18

Introduction

Many viewers have asked how I achieve my video color grading in DaVinci Resolve 18. Today, I’ll demonstrate my process for color grading, and the best part is you can do everything I show you in the free version of DaVinci Resolve—who doesn’t love free tools, right?

Understanding Color Grading

Before we dive into the actual color grading process, it’s important to clarify that color grading is just one element of the overall look of my videos. Many ask how to replicate the specific look of talking head videos without considering other contributing factors. Here are three critical components that impact the look:

Background Wall: The gray wall behind me plays a significant role in shaping the look.
Lighting: I use a blue light to enhance the background. Turning off this light alters the entire aesthetic.
Rim Light: A rim light softens one side of my face—removing it changes the video’s appearance but is less dramatic than removing the blue light.

Without understanding these foundational elements, the color grading alone might not yield the expected results. For those interested, I’ll link my video on lighting setup in the description below.

Starting the Color Grading Process

Let's fire up DaVinci Resolve and move to the color page. Here’s my workflow:

Create Four Nodes: Start with:
- CST Node (Color Space Transform)
- Skin Node
- Grade Node
- Correction Node

Color Space Transform

The Color Space Transform (CST) node is crucial for converting log footage into the standard Rec. 709 color space while adding contrast and saturation.

Add the Color Space Transform effect to the node.
If you’re using S-Log3, set the input gamma and color space to S-Gamma 3.Cine.
Leave the output as "Use Timeline," as I’ve set the output to Rec. 709 in my project settings.

Basic Color Correction

Select your correction node to make basic adjustments:

First, adjust the temperature and tint to reduce warmth.
Increase contrast as necessary.
Use the curves to brighten midtones and highlights slightly.

Adding a Teal and Orange Look

In the grading node:

I like the teal and orange aesthetic, so I’ll apply a mild effect:
- Add some teal in shadows and midtones using the Log Wheels.
- Switch to Color Wheels for broader adjustments like adding orange in midtones and muting highlights by lowering gain.

Fine-Tuning Background Color

To tweak the background color slightly toward teal:

Use the Curves Tab and select Hue versus Hue.
Create anchor points on the blue color and adjust as necessary.

Managing Skin Tones

In the Skin Node:

Select Skin: Use the qualifier tool to select the skin, iterating your selection with the shift H shortcut for feedback.
Denoise: Smooth outedges to avoid harsh cuts.
Color Adjustments: Add warm orange tones to the skin while subtly introducing teal to the highlights.
Adjust with Vector Scope: Ensure skin tones are close to the skin tone line on the vector scope for better accuracy.

Layer Node for More Control

If you want to explore more extreme grading:

Create a Layer Node by pressing Option (or Alt) + L on the skin node.
Ensure it’s linked correctly. This allows for bold adjustments without impacting skin tones—just be cautious to prevent any unwanted effects.

Conclusion

The key takeaway is that color grading is just one element of creating an appealing video look. To achieve a similar appearance to mine, you must also consider your lighting, backgrounds, and camera setup. Thank you for watching, and I hope to see you in the next tutorial!

Keyword

DaVinci Resolve 18
Color Grading
Free Version
Color Space Transform
Background Lighting
Contrast
Teal and Orange Look
Skin Tones

FAQ

Q1: Can I use the free version of DaVinci Resolve to achieve this look?
A1: Yes, all techniques shown can be executed in the free version of DaVinci Resolve.

Q2: What is the most critical aspect of achieving a similar video look?
A2: While color grading is important, the lighting setup, background colors, and camera quality are equally vital.

Q3: How do I adjust skin tones in my footage?
A3: Use the qualifier tool to select skin tones and fine-tune the colors using the log wheels and scopes.

Q4: What should I do if my footage doesn’t look as expected after color grading?
A4: Tweak your lighting, background setup, and consider more adjustments in your color correction nodes. Each video is unique and may require different tweaks.