LAZY VS. PRO COLOR GRADING

In this video, we explore the “lazy” (or amateur way) to color grade a video clip VS. the “pro” way to color grade. We will be color grading a log clip shot on the Lumix S5 in Premiere Pro and DaVinci resolve and comparing the results.

Learn more about the lumix camera here:

Chapters:
0:00 - 1:07 - Intro
1:07 - 3:36 - Amateur Approach
3:36 - 7:37 - Professional Approach
7:37 - 9:03 - Outro

———LET’S BE INTERNET FRIENDS———

———HOW I MAKE PASSIVE INCOME———

———-WHAT GEAR I USE——-

PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links (actually most of them are) and I get a small kick back for them. Thanks for your support!

[curtiswindover]

Hardest lesson in grading (for me) has been context. Color is perceived relative to other color, so not only is this a subjective discipline, it's annoyingly relative. You saw how red Chris' clip looked after staring at Qazi's. And you said in your head "I didn't think it was so red before...". Because our eyes/brain have a built-in white balance, the colors of a scene will always be influenced by the colors of the prior scene. And also influenced by the color of the wall behind your monitor, or the lamp light on your desk.. It's a fascinating pain in the ass.

[theqazman]

Thanks for having my on your channel bro. I'm honored. ❤

Also, you're way too modest. Love your look. 😍

[juansuar]

The main difference is that Qazi balanced the tint of the shot by removing the excess of red. That's what makes it look more natural in my opinion. Great video Chris!

[JaredHoyman]

Qazi's! After 17yrs of premier I switched 2 months ago to DaVinci Resolve and just canceled my Adobe cloud subscription. So much better on every level.

[KaurH]

A few things to keep in mind, when following Qazi's workflow here:

1. He started out making a V-Gamut V-Log to Rec.709 gamma 2.4 CST, but the next moment had a node tree setup with two CSTs, one on the first (IDT - input device transform) and one on the last node (ODT - output device transform). This allows him to always work in the same "working color space" regardless of the footage (V-Gamut V-Log) or display (Rec.709 gamma 2.4).

2. Using editable splines on the top and bottom points instead of creating many points on the custom curves often leads to a smoother result when creating an S-Curve.

3. When using power windows, prefer ovals and gradients over the curve (pen) tool. This is first because of workflow speed and secondly because when the subject moves or changes shape (perspective), the precisely drawn curve can stop lining up with the subject. Also don't forget to track your power windows that need to line up with a moving subject.

4. He also skipped over adding halation, which he had on the final image (second to last node "hal" seen at 07:32).

This is my 2c.

[olindamedia]

Hey Chris, One thing when using conversion LUTS, it should always be on the top/last layer. This way you wont throw away any information in your highlights/shadows.

Another tip - In Premiere rather than adding a bunch of adjustment layers in the timeline, you can instead stack Lumetri color effects in the effects panel and rename them in order to give you a layered workflow at the clip level.

[herrreinsch]

Qazi's one looked like I want to grab some pop corn.

[dartthewarrior]

This is like a 4 producers 1 sample video but with video instead!!!
Can you do this again but with other video creators / color graders? This was so educational!!

[HVRIS]

The collab I'm so excited to see!

[TheKillingTreeTT]

Qazi's edit looks less red and fits the mood better. I'd recommend using something like a color rite video checker to get the colors correct and go from there. Everything creative is best done from a accurate color starting point

[TimelyAdventure]

Both look great, but I think Qazi's wins, somehow brings out the soul of the shot for me. Just looks stunning and super professional, like a film.

[BeaverFernandez]

I like qazi's grade because it fits the mood, tone, & the setting.
Been learning from him since 2020, his work is superb🔥😎

[youfollow_]

color grading is like art. eventually you will see how technically it is and learnt couple tips for chris! its amazing

[hodirected]

So we’re gonna ignore the .. on the guitar

[frankinblackpool]

I like watching Qazi's channel as he genuinely performs magic with his colour grading. I hope Qazi does well out of this little visit to your channel.

Even the free version of Davinci Resolve, knocks spots off Premier Pro when colour grading or even just simple editing, doing special effects or adding sound design/narration. Why would you NOT want the best crafted product for your clients?

Yes Resolve has a learning curve but so did Premier Pro, when you started out with it years ago. They are basically the same concepts. In Premier Pro, if you have a colour grading idea then you use an Adjustment clip. In Resolve, if you have a colour grading idea you use a Node.

Nodes works much the same as Adjustment Clips, but rather than a load of Nodes (Adjustment Clips) hogging up your Timeline, the Nodes are on their own separate page and follow in a line from a start point to an end point, with as many or as few colour grading ideas (Nodes) as you want in between.

Did I mention that Resolve is completely free, while you have to pay a monthly subscription for Adobe stuff?

Even the paid for Studio version costs just under £300. Don't answer this question out loud, but how much have you spent renting Adobe Premier Pro?

Take what I say with a massive pinch of salt. You have half a million subscribers while I have a couple of hundred subscribers, with an average of 50 views per personal amusement episode. However, I don't regret a single day buying the Studio version of Resolve. Noise Removal and Voice Enhancement alone justify buying the Studio version.


To help you learn the everyday basics in Resolve may I suggest a YouTuber called MrAlexTech. He will get you up and running in on time and greatly reduce that learning curve.

[RidgewayInMedia]

I prefer your grade for your medium (YouTube) but hats off to Qazi for delivering a true movie-standard grade. It's all subjective and about creative choices in the end.

[RetroRecipesKitchen]

Chris, I love you, man. But Qazi took the Gold for this.
It makes me so happy when my friends link up and create!

[seanmmcgowan]

It's wild how Qazi's note of the red tint changed my perspective of Chris' colorgrade on a second look around. So satisfying to learn as the video goes on.

[NoobieTaco]

So glad to hear you are finally moving over to davinci. Can't wait to see some color grades out of it. Honestly the editing and sound design potential is pretty solid as well.

[MarioSoMedia]

Qazi's grade was just exquisite! Your grade was pretty good too but there are way more controls in Resolve to really nail it. Great vid!