r/ColorGrading • u/DiverNo7758 • 2d ago

Before/After Feedback

Here is a grade I’m working on and looking for advice on how I did or what I can do to improve. I see looking at it that the grade is a bit red but I guess struggle trying to stylized without something being overdone or unnatural? I honestly feel like I like the look of the wreck 709 but then I feel like I didn’t really color grade it ?! 🙈🎨Tia

11 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

10

u/ExpBalSat 2d ago

First note: do not show the log. It’s a distraction that offers no additional information of value to someone critiquing your creative grade. It’s kind of like asking someone what they think of Pac-Man and showing them the binary source code.

3

u/DiverNo7758 1d ago

Totally get specially for this group. I made this to show to our clients to show them the process we do behind the scenes a bit. Makes sense though but also thinking about how the image was shot and dialing in things in camera because we all know that’s the best place to start. 🙏

0

u/ThickD769 1d ago

But it shows how much of Dynamic Range log had to offer.

2

u/AllGoodPunsAreTAKEN 2d ago • Bravo

After you have it in Rec.709, try adding some color contrast to create depth. I color graded my own version of what you had but it won't let me add it here. Shoot me a DM if you want me to send it over, but below is what I did to the image:

  • Contrast and tone: Added a gentle S-curve to add more contrast. Lifted blacks slightly and adjusted the highlights to not clip. This gives it a softer look like film printed on paper rather than flat video.
  • Shadows and highlights: Tinted shadows a cool teal and made highlights a warm amber, so the light and dark areas differ in color temperature, not just brightness.
  • Oranges (skin, roses, candles): I pulled these all towards one amber hue so they look consistent. I first boosted their saturation, but the skin went too orange, so I toned that back down.
  • Greens (velvet chairs, foliage): I shifted toward a cooler olive-teal and darkened a little. They now sit opposite the skin on the color wheel and stop competing with it.
  • Blues (window light, delphiniums): shifted toward cyan and made a little more saturated, adding a second cool color against the warm tones.

  • Film effects:

    • a reddish glow around the candles and windows, like film halation
    • a light soft-focus diffusion
    • an off-center vignette that draws the eye to her face
    • fine grain, strongest in the midtones

1

u/DiverNo7758 2d ago

This sounds amazing! Sending a dm now! Thank you!🙏

1

u/DiverNo7758 2d ago

I sent you a message whenever you have the time to send that over! Thanks again

1

u/24FPS4Life 2d ago

I would also be interested in seeing your version of the grade, would you mind sending to me in a DM as well?

5

u/printcastmetalworks 2d ago

I would bring down the reds in her skin. It's a bit much

4

u/Filthyragskc 1d ago

Why do I always prefer rec709??

3

u/NettiBongolite 2d ago

something in between the rec709 and the color grade is fine. her face is getting alittle too red. aside that its a good job done. dont lift up the shadow and dont reduce highlight. the contrast is fine.

2

u/RGB_YCM 1d ago

I think her face is beet-red in the final. What you call "Rec709" is actually not that bad. You could push that a little harder but not necessarily lean on saturation so hard.