Description
Book SynopsisWritten both for students and working professionals, this book walks readers step-by-step through the foundations of color grading for projects of any size, from music videos and commercials to full-length features.
In this clear, practical, and software-agnostic guide, author Charles Haine introduces readers to the technical and artistic side of color grading and color correction. Color Grading 101 balances technical chapters like color-matching, mastering, and compression with artistic chapters like contrast/affinity, aesthetic trends, and building a color plan. The book also includes more business-focused chapters detailing best practices and expert advice on working with clients, managing a team, working with VFX, and building a business. An accompanying eResource offers downloadable footage and project files to help readers work through the exercises and examples in the book.
This book serves as a perfect introduction for aspiring colorists as w
Trade Review
"Color Grading 101 is an easy introduction to color grading for new and aspiring colorists. It is full of excellent advice for embarking on a career as a colorist and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the responsibilities and craft of our profession."
—Kevin Shaw, President of Colorist Society International
"Color correction is often the most misunderstood stage of the filmmaking process. It can be daunting, confusing, and even in some cases, completely forgotten. This reputation often derives from its traditionally over-complicated explanation and arduous approach by its masters. In Color Grading 101, author Charles Haine walks readers through this crucial post production process in a way that is grounded, universal, and personable. Whereas most books on the subject matter are geared solely towards aspiring colorists, this work is intended to serve a multitude of crew members on all levels."
—Matthew J. Pellowski, Film and Television Director and Showrunner
"Everything you wanted to know about color grading but were potentially afraid to ask! A great ‘101,’ helping anybody interested in color grading to get to grips with an often-misunderstood area. Written with panache and a ‘no-nonsense’ style!"
—Charlie Watts, Avid Certified Instructor; Principal Lecturer and Course Leader, School of Film, Media and Communication, University of Portsmouth
Table of ContentsIntroduction: "Why Doesn’t My Footage Look as Good as Other People’s?"
Overview: What is Color Grading, Exactly?
Tech 1: Hardware, Software, Monitoring
Art 1: The Story as Guide
Quiz 1
Tech 2: Codecs and Pipeline
Art 2: Color Plan
Quiz 2
Practice 1
Tech 3: Basic Primary Grading
Art 3: Basics of Additive Color
Quiz 3
Practice 2
Tech 4: Matching
Art 4: History and Genres
Quiz 4
Practice 3
Tech 5: Curves, Shapes, and Keys
Art 5: Protecting Skin Tones
Quiz 5
Practice 4
Tech 6: Tracking and Keyframing
Art 6: Clients and Decision Making
Quiz 6
Practice 5
Tech 7: Plugins, Noise Correction, and Heavy Processing
Art 7: Commercials
Quiz 7
Practice 6
Tech 8: Mattes, Alpha, Composites, and Cleanup
Art 8: Music Videos
Quiz 8
Practice 7
Tech 9: LUTs and Transforms
Art 9: Portfolio Building
Quiz 9
Practice 8
Tech 10: Onset Workflow, Panels, Dailies and Online/Conform
Art 10: Building a Business
Quiz 10
Practice 9
Conclusion
Index
