How to Get Cinematic Saturation

Summary

This video explores advanced techniques for manipulating saturation in DaVinci Resolve, emphasizing the importance of balance before adjusting saturation. The speaker contrasts the use of the standard saturation knob with more nuanced approaches, such as using the HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) model for better control. By isolating the saturation channel, colorists can achieve a more natural, subtractive saturation effect, avoiding over-saturation. The video encourages experimenting with these methods to create visually appealing and creative color grades, offering flexibility and control over how saturation enhances an image's overall feel.

Takeaways

• 😀 The saturation knob in DaVinci Resolve can be overly simplistic and may not produce the best results for color grading.
• 😀 Before adjusting saturation, it's important to ensure proper balance in the image to avoid exaggerating existing color imbalances.
• 😀 Optimizing skin tones and color separation in the balance node is crucial for achieving better saturation outcomes.
• 😀 It's essential to avoid making the image look garish or unnatural when pushing saturation to extreme levels.
• 😀 The HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color model allows for more precise control over saturation compared to the RGB model.
• 😀 In the HSV color model, you can isolate and adjust only the saturation channel, allowing for a more targeted manipulation of colorfulness.
• 😀 Subtractive saturation (achieved through the HSV node) can produce a more cinematic, filmic look by making saturated areas darker.
• 😀 The saturation knob in RGB can sometimes lead to a video-like look with a perceptual increase in luminance, which isn't ideal for certain grades.
• 😀 Using gamma adjustments in the HSV node allows for increased saturation in lower saturation areas without affecting highly saturated parts of the image.
• 😀 Custom curves in the HSV node provide the ability to sculpt a very specific saturation curve, offering further nuanced control over how saturation is applied.
• 😀 Saturation is a complex concept in color grading, with multiple approaches available depending on the creative intent and desired outcome.

Q & A

What is the main reason the speaker doesn't frequently use the saturation knob in DaVinci Resolve?

The speaker avoids using the saturation knob because they do not like the effect it has on images, finding it produces unnatural, overly 'video-like' results. Instead, they use other techniques to manipulate overall colorfulness.

What is the first step the speaker takes before adjusting saturation in an image?

The speaker first revisits the balance node to ensure the image is well-balanced. This involves optimizing the skin tone and achieving good color separation, which is crucial before adjusting saturation to avoid exaggerating any existing color imbalances.

What does the speaker mean by 'balance' in color grading?

In color grading, 'balance' refers to adjusting the color levels in the image to achieve a harmonious look. This includes optimizing skin tones and ensuring good color separation, which improves the overall aesthetic of the image.

What does the speaker recommend checking using the vector scope when balancing an image?

The speaker recommends using the vector scope to ensure the color signal is straddling at least two separate quadrants, indicating good color separation. They also suggest maintaining optimized skin tones, which is the first priority in balancing.

What technique does the speaker use to add saturation in DaVinci Resolve?

The speaker demonstrates two techniques for adding saturation. The first method uses the standard saturation knob, while the second uses a more refined approach by switching to the HSV color space and adjusting the saturation channel (S) directly.

What is the difference between using the saturation knob and manipulating the HSV saturation channel?

The saturation knob increases saturation uniformly across the entire image, often leading to undesirable video-like results. In contrast, adjusting the saturation in the HSV color space allows for more nuanced control, offering a 'subtractive' saturation effect, where more colorful areas also become darker, which is considered more cinematic.

Why does the speaker prefer the HSV method for saturation adjustments?

The speaker prefers the HSV method because it provides a more natural, filmic look by creating a subtractive saturation effect. This approach makes the image feel deeper and more nuanced, unlike the often flat and unnatural look that results from the saturation knob.

What is the significance of the 'subtractive saturation' mentioned in the video?

Subtractive saturation refers to a technique where more saturated colors not only increase in intensity but also become darker, mimicking how colors behave in the real world. The speaker finds this method more aesthetically pleasing and natural compared to the linear saturation increases created by the saturation knob.

What is one benefit of using the HSV color space for saturation adjustments?

A key benefit of using the HSV color space is that it allows for precise control over specific aspects of color manipulation, particularly the saturation channel (S), which helps achieve more natural results compared to the RGB model.

How can you control the saturation of only the lower-saturation areas of an image?

To control the saturation of lower-saturation areas, the speaker demonstrates using the gamma wheel or custom curves. The gamma wheel increases the saturation in midtones without affecting already highly saturated colors, while custom curves allow for more specific adjustments.