Colour Grading Basics: Enhancing Your Video Footage

Correction comes first

Before creating a style, shots need to match. Exposure, white balance and contrast are adjusted so that footage from different cameras or lighting conditions feels coherent.

Grading shapes the mood

Once the images are technically balanced, colour and contrast can be refined to support the tone of the project. Small adjustments are often more effective than dramatic effects.

Consistency matters

A good grade should help the viewer stay focused on the content rather than noticing that one shot is much warmer, darker or more saturated than the next.