Color Grading Your Wedding Videos: Our Process (so far)
*Let me first say that there are numerous ways to color grade footage, and we are in no way professional colorists, but color grading is what separates a film from looking ordinary to extraordinary!
Why is color grading used?
Color grading is used for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that the colors in the video are consistent and accurate, regardless of the lighting conditions during filming. Secondly, it helps to create a cinematic look by adjusting the colors to match the mood of the scene. Thirdly, it can be used to add depth and dimension to the footage by highlighting specific elements.
Advantages of hiring a videographer with color grading experience
Hiring a videographer with color grading experience is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, they will be able to achieve the desired look and feel of the wedding video, based on the couple's preferences. Secondly, they can make the video more cinematic by adjusting the colors, making it more visually appealing. Thirdly, they can create a unique style for the wedding video, making it stand out from other videos.
The color grading process involves several steps:
Step 1: Flat picture profile
The first step is to shoot the footage in a flat picture profile. Salcedo Films shoots in a flat picture profile on the camera that captures the maximum dynamic range of the footage. This means that the footage will appear desaturated and lacking in contrast, making it easier to color grade later. An example of a flat picture profile is LOG footage.
LOG footage is a type of footage that captures a wide dynamic range. It is usually shot in a flat picture profile, which makes it easier to color grade later. LOG footage appears desaturated and lacking in contrast, which allows for greater flexibility in the color grading process.
Step 2: Conversion LUT
The second step is to add a conversion LUT. A LUT (Look-Up Table) is a file that applies a specific color grading to the footage. In this step, the LUT is used to convert the flat picture profile footage to a more visually appealing look. The LUT will add contrast, saturation, and other adjustments to the footage to create a starting point for the color grading process. It already looks pretty good, but we can make it better!
Step 3: Manually adding contrast
The third step is to manually add contrast to the image. This step involves adjusting the highlights, shadows, and midtones of the footage to create a balanced image. Adding contrast helps to create depth and dimension in the footage.
Step 4: Masking
The fourth step is to use a mask. A mask is a tool that allows us to selectively adjust specific areas of the footage. For example, we use a mask to adjust the exposure of a specific area (in this case the couple’s face) of the image without affecting the rest of the footage.
Step 5: Adding brightness and saturation to the subject
The fifth step is to add brightness and saturation to the subject to make their faces pop. This step involves selectively adjusting the brightness and saturation of the subject's face to make it stand out from the background using our established mask. It’s subtle but makes a great impact.
Step 6: Final color grade
The final step is the final color grade. In this step, we will make the final artistic choices about the look of the video. In this specific example, we chose to use green and red to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Looks AWESOME! Alright, now to repeat this process over and over on all the clips of your film!
Color grading matters because it’s the final thing you see when you watch your wedding film. A lot happens in the background to make your films exquisite, and simple adjustments can change the look of your film. Which versions do the like the best? Pay attention how videographers use their colors, as this will ultimately help guide you in choosing your videographer for your wedding day.
Salcedo Films is a husband and wife videographer team based in Springfield, Missouri. If you're interested in learning more about our wedding videography services and how we can create a beautiful and cinematic wedding video for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you capture your special day in a way that you'll cherish for years to come.
Salcedo Films is a sentimental husband and wife wedding videographer team based in Springfield, MO. We specialize in true documentary-style films with a deep love for storytelling. We capture authentic narratives and heartfelt emotions, creating films that have heart.
