Color correction is a process that different people undergo in different ways. It can be intuitive for some and more difficult for others. It all depends on the person’s individual preferences and how well they understand color. There is often a mix-up between color correcting and color grading. Do not get confused! There is a slight difference between both.
So, what is the difference? Well, the simple answer is that a color correcting process is for rectifying issues. Whereas, color grading is for adjusting contrast and color. Both the processes work in enhancing the look of an image or video.
Differentiating between the two can be a tad bit confusing. If you are interested in knowing more, you need to have the basics clear.
Basics of the coloring process
1. Colors and our vision
We overlook the fact that we live in the most vibrant environment. So how is color visible to us? Our brain interprets the different wavelengths of light, making sure each and everything we see has a specific identity. For example, green grass, clear blue sky, colorful rainbow, and so on.
Nowadays, people often describe different moods and even genders with the help of colors.
Blue tones are cool tones that often create a gloomy effect. So, it is considered to be unwelcoming.
On the other hand, red and orange colors are warm tones. They emit a cosy feeling and project a welcoming or cheerful aura.
Regarding genders, the color blue has historically always been associated with boys, while pink has always been specific to girls.
When the color for specific items or objects changes, the entire image is hard to relate to. For instance, an apple will always be red or green. The feeling that something is wrong always accompanies this change. This is when the process of color correction comes in.
2. Hue, luminance, and saturation
When looking at a color wheel, all the colors that appear in front of your eyes are hues. Saturation and luminance are also shades of a particular color.
Sounds confusing! Right? We have an example to clear this confusion- let’s think of the color grey in an image. The more you increase the intensity of grey, the less the color will appear. However, when you decrease the grey tone of an image, it becomes more saturated and vibrant.
Luminance- signifies the amount of black or white tone in a color. An image which has more black shades always appears darker. Whereas, an image with more white tones in it, always appears brighter.
In simple terms, an image with high saturation and high luminance appears very bright. On the other hand, low saturation and low luminance are next to black.
By adjusting luminance, hue, and saturation, you can create any color you want. These three are the building blocks of color correction. Nearly all color-correcting tools use ‘HSL’ sliders to produce the desired outcome.
3. HDR (high dynamic range)
Are you curious to figure out or see the objects that are there in a dark background? Or the brightest light?
HDR is all about the details that you can observe in the darkest and brightest shade. This process includes stops and ranges, and each stop is brighter than the next one.
If you have a passion for photography or you are learning to become a photographer, understanding these concepts is very important to get the best out of your images. Experienced photographers with a passion to learn will find these concepts easy to grasp.
In earlier days, digital cameras had a limited range, which were about 4 to 5 stops. However, in recent years with the development of technology, new cameras have 13 to 15 stops and even more. Color correcting tool plays an important role in creating such depth in an image.
However, the whole concept of HDR allowing you to view things in a magnified way is relatively new, and it continues to grow with new technology.
What steps to follow in the color correction process?
The process of color correction involves the adjustments of various aspects. It is a technical process more than a creative one. You should focus on every step, as it is crucial to getting the best results.
1. Step 1: Color profile or LUTs
2. Step 2: Exposure
3. Step 3: White balance
4. Step 4: Contrast
5. Step 5: Temperature and tints
If you follow the above steps and adjust all these parameters, you will get the image you want. Moreover, these steps and parameters can be adjusted depending on your requirements.
Final thought!
Do you feel like your image needs color correction? Do you think you need a professional to help you with the job? Then you should definitely consider clippingpaths.com. We will create the image that you need & want. Be it a natural-looking image with an even tone or a vibrant image highlighting what you need. We follow a thorough color correction process followed by color grading, which will add an artistic touch to any image.
Contact us today to get the color of your image corrected by the best in the business!
Visit clippingpaths.com for more information!