Video colour and grading workflow - learning resources?

[LocalHero1953]

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I have got some way along the road of teaching myself the mechanics of video recording with the SL2-S & Sigma fp, and editing with Davinci Resolve.
I am aware of my ignorance, though, about how to plan and manage a workflow for different purposes, and for best management and grading of colour. I suspect that if I tried to teach myself, I would end up bogged down in specifics without a clear overview of how to plan a project as a whole.

I would welcome any recommendations for resources that others have found particularly useful: online videos, short courses at particular institutions, or in-person training. (I am UK-based).

I am aware of video recording formats, log footage, and why colour grading is required. What I don't know is how to set about choosing file format, codecs, bit rates, bit depth, raw, prores etc appropriate for a particular project (Youtube, embedding in websites, home video - I doubt I will be producing feature films for cinema). Nor do I understand the practicalities and sequencing of applying log profiles, colour grading and other editing effects etc in Resolve.

FWIW the videos I have made to date have been largely tripod mounted recording of:

• drama and concert productions for distribution to the performers (i.e. not for sale to the public)
• recording church services in lockdown for Youtube
• talking head interviews for embedding in websites
• short promotional videos for musical performances

Of course, a Leica forum is not the best place to ask a question about general video. On the other hand I know there are a good many members here who are highly experienced in video, and use the same kit I have!

[frame-it]

2 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

 Davinci Resolve.

~~~~~~

I would welcome any recommendations for resources t

https://icolorist.com/course/software_topic/resolve/

ask for Kevin Shaw, very nice guy, he is based in/near London..his own site is https://www.finalcolor.com/

 

[hansvons]

The SL2/S L-Log is Rec2020-based. If you use it in a regular Rec709 environment the colours are off. When done that right you'll be very pleased! Below the colour settings in Resolve 17. You can nicely grade off the flat log, no LUT necessary because the SL2/Ss are native HDR Rec 2020 cameras.

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[hansvons]

5 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I am aware of video recording formats, log footage, and why colour grading is required. What I don't know is how to set about choosing file format, codecs, bit rates, bit depth, raw, prores etc appropriate for a particular project (Youtube, embedding in websites, home video - I doubt I will be producing feature films for cinema). Nor do I understand the practicalities and sequencing of applying log profiles, colour grading and other editing effects etc in Resolve.

It's easy, actually. The UK is a 50Hz PAL country. With 25 fps, you won't have sync problems (flickering) with artificial light, and the footage will look natural when shot with a 180-degree shutter, which is 360/180 = 2 x 25 = 50. 1/50 is your best bet for natural motion blur and sync with stage lights.

Leica's best codec is the 400 Mbit L-Log 10 Bit codec. I shoot all my stuff in L-Log. I use only the Atomos if I need the best possible quality out of the Leica. The internal codec does show a bit more texture, which I like. Colour-wise the internal codec records 97% (not scientific) of the juice you can get with the Atomos.

The camera never overheated in my hands. I once tested it, and at 25fps L-Log, it filled a 256GB card without getting warm.

For viewing the L-Log without that washed-out look, use a LUT that the camera provides. How to do that is documented in the manual.

If you have questions, I'm happy to help.

[Chuck Albertson]

Being old school, I bought the book Blackmagic publishes to learn version 16. They have since published a new book for version 17, which you can find here (for UK):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guide-DaVinci-Resolve-17/dp/1736982508/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YWCIN09G0CTM&keywords=davinci+resolve&qid=1654800267&s=books&sprefix=Davinci+Resolve%2Cstripbooks%2C701&sr=1-1

The book takes you through all the phases of the workflow, using sample clips that you already have - they're included in the download of the software itself, and are shuffled off to a folder when you install the software. Blackmagic also has some very good how-to videos on their website.

[LocalHero1953]

10 hours ago, frame-it said:

https://icolorist.com/course/software_topic/resolve/

ask for Kevin Shaw, very nice guy, he is based in/near London..his own site is https://www.finalcolor.com/

 

Thanks - that looks a useful set of resources - at a price aimed at business rather than the single amateur, I guess. It could still be worth it if I pick the right element.

[LocalHero1953]

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5 hours ago, hansvons said:

It's easy, actually. The UK is a 50Hz PAL country. With 25 fps, you won't have sync problems (flickering) with artificial light, and the footage will look natural when shot with a 180-degree shutter, which is 360/180 = 2 x 25 = 50. 1/50 is your best bet for natural motion blur and sync with stage lights.

Leica's best codec is the 400 Mbit L-Log 10 Bit codec. I shoot all my stuff in L-Log. I use only the Atomos if I need the best possible quality out of the Leica. The internal codec does show a bit more texture, which I like. Colour-wise the internal codec records 97% (not scientific) of the juice you can get with the Atomos.

The camera never overheated in my hands. I once tested it, and at 25fps L-Log, it filled a 256GB card without getting warm.

For viewing the L-Log without that washed-out look, use a LUT that the camera provides. How to do that is documented in the manual.

If you have questions, I'm happy to help.

Thanks, that's very helpful (and I've keenly read your posts on other occasions in the forum as well). I shall set up a standard user profile for video with some of these settings in the SL2-S, shoot some clips and see how I get on being more adventurous in Resolve. I may well take advantage of your kind offer! 

Edited June 9, 2022 by LocalHero1953

[LocalHero1953]

2 hours ago, Chuck Albertson said:

Being old school, I bought the book Blackmagic publishes to learn version 16. They have since published a new book for version 17, which you can find here (for UK):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guide-DaVinci-Resolve-17/dp/1736982508/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YWCIN09G0CTM&keywords=davinci+resolve&qid=1654800267&s=books&sprefix=Davinci+Resolve%2Cstripbooks%2C701&sr=1-1

The book takes you through all the phases of the workflow, using sample clips that you already have - they're included in the download of the software itself, and are shuffled off to a folder when you install the software. Blackmagic also has some very good how-to videos on their website.

I also prefer to learn from a book - it's easier to flip back and forth and read the same paragraph multiple times! I'll download the kindle version and see how I get on with it - if it's good it would be worth buying the paper edition. 

[frame-it]

22 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Thanks - that looks a useful set of resources - at a price aimed at business rather than the single amateur, I guess. It could still be worth it if I pick the right element.

i would suggest calling him for a chat, he is a nice person and almost regarded as a "God" in the post production / telecine/color grading industry worldwide, he can make some suggestions & not necessarily joining their classes

[Aktenschrank]

In terms of learning resources I think no recommendation is complete without Alex Jordan aka https://filmsimplified.com . And if you want to jump in at the very deep end I can recommend Cullen Kellys Youtube Channel where he does one very informative 'class' every week.

[JJ_Mirinda]

I am also a newbie in video editing and any information and learning resources are very valuable for me. Thanks for all your recommendation. Not so far, I began to work with VJump.com - an app for editing videos. It helps to make my videos more eye-catching and interesting. What is more, it is easy to use and even a beginner in editing can cope with it.