Add VFX into Cinematic RAW+LOG Footage (the right way) | ACES Part 1

RAW and LOG footage is known for creating that cinematic look we all strive for, but it often looks very flat right out of the camera. So how do we add VFX to flat-looking footage? Join me as we utilize ACES, a color workflow within Blender and Davinci Resolve, to do just this. With all the necessary software being 100% FREE, you have all the more reason to learn ACES and up your VFX game.

In this tutorial we’ll tackle the concepts of Color Gamut and Gamma. Any VFX artist will benefit from a general understanding of these concepts, but they are especially relevant for ACES. Though Color Gamut and Gamma can be tricky concepts, ACES is the perfect way to apply them and learn. So make sure you watch both this video and part 2 (linked above) for the full picture. As always, I invite any questions you might have!

Huge thanks to Mario and Daniel for all the research help!

Filming & Equipment help:
Chloe Collins

Modeling help:

More InLightVFX:

Hebrews 12:11

[ryanofsheffer]

This is fantastic work. 15 years in post and this is one of the best descriptions of log and raw footage I’ve ever seen

[MaverickMario]

I’m blown away, I’ve never seen such a concise and informative explanation of color and gamut. This is probably my most favorite video about image processing on YouTube

[sanaksanandan]

This is the simplest and accurate description of ACEs workflow I have come across. Otherwise, lot of web pages, and videos either oversimplify, or overcomplicate the explanation. Thanks for putting in the effort to educate VFX artists.

[Makedonas]

When i first watched this video i didnt know much about colour management. 2 years later, I tried understanding how all this works and you helped me so much in trying to understand this. This is an absolute masterpiece of a video.

[pinpointping]

This video single handedly sent me on a long and arduous journey through new software and pipeline development to now creating renders indistinguishable from plate footage every time. My work as a VFX artist took a huge pivoting upward push in quality the day I watched this video, and I really don’t think I would have gotten where I am today without it . Every once in a while I come back to this video just for the entertainment and nostalgia, cause this dude is so freaking good at the pacing, sound design, and most obviously, graphics. Bro, whoever ur magical ahh is, u be doing more favors for fellow indie and professional VFX artists than the amount of times I would say the word “the” in my lifetime. Truly, thank you on behalf of myself and all those who didn’t take the time to U a god, never forget that.
Also where’ve u been since Layers vs Nodes? Also also, u seem to have come across tools like nuke at about the same time I did, probably cause u watched this video too lol.

[FlyingKell]

Saw your Reddit post. Subscribed! Amazing tutorials.

[VideoVisualFX]

The fact that this video it's exactly 9:59 minutes shows how awesome you are,

[franklawree]

you put so much work in to editing and making the whole video. It really is amazing, you should get way more views, I'll try and share as much as possible. Keep it up👍🏻

[pinpointping]

I come back to this video every now and again because it’s just so freaking entertaining. Thanks bro.

[TheZeclus]

this man makes some of the highest quality VFX tutorials and high end post production content on youtube with a phone in a sock as a mic... gotta love it !

[dsgeyer]

This is the best video on ACES on all youtube. Well done. Love the poster too. The quality of this video is also insane. If this video series cost $250 I would buy it because all the months of reading technical documents and emailing experts that I had to do can now be avoided. People need to realize how much shit you are saving them

[oGrqpez]

this is like the most positively rated video i have ever seen

[koltscats]

This was excellent. Paid tutorials I've seen aren't even near this well edited, detailed, or explained.

[hardiksinghvi]

You are one of the underrated channel. I hope you get a log growth in subscriber count.

[valtabohm]

Holy shit bro this lil bro teach better than most institutes. Thats why I keep studying on Yt omfg this is great! Thanks

[henriquebispo]

The best explanation I've seen on the subject by far! Thanks for sharing 🙌

[coasterguy]

Ive been trying to wrap my head around color spaces and related color science topics but man this was by far the simplest and easiest explanation to digest about the topic.

[gokulsarma]

I usually fast forward tutorials as it gets boring and delaying to get to the point. But then you showed up. It's so satisfying to watch that i forgot to skip. You really got amazing technical knowledge and never hesitate to share with us. Honestly bro, I never knew this one.

Thank you so much!

[cevxj]

After researching these topics for a year or so I have to say this is the most effective and comprehensive introduction. It owes a lot to the graphic design work. Awesome!

[chakravarthye]

You are a genius when it comes to explaining. I can't thank you enough for this.
Keep rocking.
After watching this . . . it's like . . . . . . Just take my money.
Thank you