Color grading is the creative process of stylizing the color palette of your video with artistic intent. It includes adjusting hues, saturation, contrast, and tones to set mood, evoke emotion, or maintain visual consistency.
Grading defines the final aesthetic of a video. Warm tones suggest romance or nostalgia; desaturated palettes convey grit; teal-and-orange schemes dominate Hollywood blockbusters. It enhances storytelling through color psychology. It also unifies shots for consistency across a project.
Apply color grading after color correction. Use it to unify footage across scenes, match a brand look, or create emotional resonance. Tools like LUTs (Look-Up Tables) can streamline grading across projects.
Establish a look early – Decide on a visual style (warm, cinematic, cool, high-contrast) that aligns with the project’s mood.
Maintain consistency – Apply grading evenly across shots so transitions feel natural and professional.
Use LUTs carefully – Leverage Look-Up Tables as a base, but fine-tune adjustments to fit the footage rather than relying on presets alone.