Colorist Articles

Colorist Technique

• Color Management: A case study about color management, monitor calibration and feature film DI grading. "180" is a colorful film graded for film, DCP and video distribution using THX cineSpace tools.

• Popular Looks: An overview of some common styles that are ever popular in feature films. This presentation was first given at IBC 2009 for Digital Vision in the Training Zone.

• Bleach Bypass: also known as Skip Bleach, Bleach Reduction, ENR, ACE and Silver Tint. All result in a distinctive high contrast, harsh, faded look. This article describes ways of creating that look.

• Hitting the Wall: Every colorist I have met is passionate about their job. But each of us needs a creative boost from time to time. This short article offers a few suggestions to enrich your style, and improve your technique.

• Layers: A layer is broadly defined as a set of tools that can be applied in addition to the base grade, u they sually to a selected part of the image. Why do we need lots of layers, what dodo and what they are good for?.

• One Light to Final Grade: The terminology varies, and the techniques evolve but the concepts remain the same.

• What is Color? How we see and interpret color.

• When to Color: There are three strategic points in the post-production process when color correction should occur.

• History for Colorists: A few dates that stick in my mind. Its a personal list, but if anyone -manufacturers included- wishes to send me some other milestones, I am happy to add them.

• Glossary: A compilation of definitions from the colorist point of view.

• Adopting New Technology: This paper considers the adoption of new technology, with specific regard to the advancements made in software color enhancement. It follows on from my paper Software Color Correction below.

• Software Color Systems: This paper considers the effect of technology on creativity, with specific regard to the advantages of software color enhancement systems. See also Adopting New Technology above

• The Need for Speed: Software color systems can have an infinite number of windows, so a new method of evaluation is needed. One old favorite is to compare speed. That seems simple enough, but actually it is quite complicated.

• Data or Video? The digital workflow offers more sophisticated tools, instant visualization and the holy grail of the media world -  the universal master. Still the question remains: am I better off using a video or data workflow for my digital intermediate?

da Vinci papers

• Defocus: Soft Skin: Using defocus with a kilovector to smooth out skin tones.(pdf)

• Colorist Toolbox: Day for Night: The da Vinci Colorist Toolbox presents the colorist with some new tools for changing day into night.

• Colorist Toolbox: Film Effect: Talk of the da Vinci Colorist Toolbox inevitably leads to a discussion on making video or electronically-originated material look like film.

• Colorist Toolbox: Reflections: To demonstrate the less-than-obvious versatility of motion blur, I use it for creating reflections on water. The harbor shot is nice enough , but it lacks a focus of attention.

• Color Restoration: I have read several sensationalist articles about the death of film, but the truth is far sadder. Film does not die, it fades away...

• 2K and 2K Plus History: da Vinci 2K and 2K Plus with all the options as a historical timeline with comments and opinions!