How To Color Grade In DaVinci Resolve?

Open your project in DaVinci Resolve

Open the Color page

Select the clip(s) to grade

Choose a working color management setup (Color Management on/off per your project)

Set your timeline color space (e.g., Rec.709)

Set your input/output color space (e.g., for HDR or SDR workflows)

Use scopes (Waveform/Vector/Histogram) to monitor exposure and color

Adjust exposure and balance using wheels (Lift/Gamma/Gain) or Primary Wheels

Use Offset/Gain/Contrast controls if available in your node setup

Apply white balance using the Temperature/Tint controls

Fix exposure issues with Exposure/Contrast/Gamma as needed

Correct contrast and midtones with Curves (if using Curves)

Refine color using Color Wheels or RGB Curves

Use saturation controls (Saturation / Vibrance if available)

Add global corrections using a base layer (often in Node 1)

Add shot-specific corrections in subsequent nodes

Use qualifiers for targeted adjustments (Color Warper/Qualifier + masks)

Create masks (Power Windows) for selective regions

Use tracking for moving subjects (if available)

Apply keying or secondary corrections using HSL/qualifier tools

Use grain management tools (if needed)

Use sharpening (if needed)

Use noise reduction (if needed)

Add look/creative grading using additional nodes (e.g., Node for creative LUT/contrast/color style)

Apply LUTs (if used) in a dedicated node

Check skin tones with vectorscope and adjust accordingly

Balance overall chroma and hue consistency across shots

Use the Gallery to compare shots and versions

Use Shot Match to bring clips closer (if desired)

Use Primary In/Out (or similar) settings if using managed workflow tools

Use stills or comparison views to verify consistency

Review in full screen and across different monitors (if available)

Use Deliver page to verify output settings (resolution, codec, container, color space)

Export your grade with correct color metadata for your target format (HDR/SDR)

Suggested for You

Trending Today