Basic Creative Look Development in DaVinci Resolve Pt. 1

Need a look for a specific project but don't have the time? Want to start creating looks from your own artistic intent? Here's the steps to get started right in the color page in DaVinci Resolve, including how to protect exposure, set your project's overall contrast, and impart creative split toning and color contrast.

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[ClintonFitzgeraldMusic]

Your new "Two videos a week" routine is awesome, Cullen. Give me all that sweet colour info.

[andersistbesser]

The middle gray curve anker thing is new to me. I never saw this un any tutorial and i have seen many. Thank you

[GrigoryanFilms]

The below comments speak for themselves. Cullen Kelly is certainly unique in the space of thousands who are attempting to do the same, which is to teach color grading. I just wish this was around back 10 years ago when I first got into DaVinci Resolve. The lack of "Cullen Kelly" back in the day is what made me jump in and out of color grading intermittently and not stick with it consistently. I think it is because there was only 2 options essentially. You either found someone who taught DaVinci Resolve UI only or someone who slightly touched on color but not the fundamentals and it was usually a conversation about throwing a LUT on an image. Cullen takes you through the fundamentals of color grading and the creative mindset. This is why I believe he is much much more successful in the space of teaching color grading. Cullen I also read your email post about how you were discouraged to be thinking yourself as a "YouTuber" now. It was an awesome read thank you for all the amazing work you share with this community. I truly hope to one day meet you and shake your hand sir.

[botbot]

I loved your video on the LUMIX channel about grading the S5ii footage. More videos on grading affordable mirrorless cameras for us indie filmmakers who direct, shoot and grade everything ourselves would be fantastic. But I do understand if that doesn't interest you as much, so no worries.

[Kylesweeting]

Always get pumped when you upload. My work looks next level now thanks to you!!

[robertkwela]

Nice to go back to previous stuff you start with MASTER you are the best on YT thank you very much for your time Love from London

[billdowling]

This confirms what I did on my last project. Because of the exposure changes from the zoom lenses I used I had to go into the clip level and tweak exposure a little bit but the creative tone curve did the majority of the heavy lifting.

[Lonnh]

Not only does your videos help me with getting better at grading, but your videos on working color managed and the tools that ground the grades is what made me really like grading to begin with, thanks so much for always sharing these amazing workflows and tools

[finaltouchstudio_]

Wow! Your split tone method is mind blowing! Can’t wait to incorporate this in my grades and test them out

[cinema]

Your two videos on Looks are the best yet for some of us: namely, the notion of a Look that is applicable to all the shots as distinct from the also-necessary shot-by-shot grading. And loved your idea of using outside apps (I use 3D Lut Creator and Look Designer a lot) for their tools (such as 3D vectorscopes), tools that seem outside of Resolve's approach. And please say more about using Resolve Fusion. Love using Fusion: more tools in the toolbox.

[chrischiles]

Gd Cullen, You are hitting these tutorials so hard, and I am here for it. Thank you for these.

[im_gldn]

Have been waiting for this one. I was able to put some things together from the Friday sessions. but thank you.

[juliojellussichfilmmaker]

Hi! Great video, sorry but i cant find the link DWG Gray

[talktalk]

Best and most systematic color grading EVER! Thank you for sharing w us mere mortals ❤️

[kirankiranmishra]

great. would really appreciate and be great full to you if you can show us in PT.2 that what would you do if that look development in timeline does work for 25 shots but not for 5 shots. practical demonstration of that would really really great.

[JimRobinson-colors]

I think that the photography that you have here, is probably of a more consistent quality than what a lot of us get given to us. So before working on the look, I think that the photography color corrections should be dealt with first. Balance, Exposure and consistent saturation, sharpening and white balance between all shots. In my opinion should be neutralized so that when you do start building the look that all the footage is starting from a well exposed and balanced image. Otherwise there is no foundation to make your decisions on the look.

[MareckiTV]

I appreciate that you sharing this knowledge with us on youtube this is like dream come true! <3

[monkynutzuk]

Great video, every time someone does a look video it's always sit toning with blue in the shadows and orange or yellow in the highlights, is there another split tone you can do like blue in the highlights and yellow in the shadows?

[zlobna_bulka]

thank you Cullen! I'm in a hurry to try your tips.

[dominicpanico]

Hey Cullen, I downloaded the color grading and design starter pack. I see the DCTL document, but I don't seem to have the middle grey card you have in your toolbox. Whats the best way of getting my hands on that?