After Effects Guru: Color Grading Footage

Explore techniques for color correcting video in After Effects. Learn how to fix exposure and tone problems, make creative adjustments, and more.

Introduction

• Color grading footage in After Effects
• Exercise files
• Moving from Final Cut Pro X to After Effects
• Moving from Premiere Pro to After Effects
• Using the Media Browser
• Strategies to improve file naming and timecode

1. The Color Grading Workflow

• Evaluating the shot
• Fixing white balance
• Fixing exposure and tone
• Adjusting color
• Applying enhancements
• Reusing adjustments

2. Essential Techniques

• Using adjustment layers
• Applying LUTs with the Lumetri effect
• Saving animation presets
• Strategies for tough white balance: Levels and curves
• Strategies for tough white balance: Neutralizing, part 1
• Strategies for tough white balance: Neutralizing, part 2
• Comparing effects

3. Fixing Exposure and Tone

• Fixing tone with the Lumetri effect
• Fixing exposure and tone with Curves
• Using auto adjustments
• The Shadow or Highlights adjustment
• Using the Black & White effect for contrast
• Using the Equalize command

4. Primary Color Correction

• Fixing color cast with tint and white balance
• Using the color stabilizer effect
• Fixing color with primary color correction
• Adding vibrance
• Using photo filters
• Using a reference color checker
• Using blending modes

5. Secondary Color Correction

• Creating spot colors with the Black & White effect
• Using the Leave Color effect
• Adjusting a single color with the Change Color effect
• Adding masks and mattes to adjustment layers
• Secondary color correction with Curves

6. Black and White and Color Toning

• Black and white conversion method 1
• Black and white conversion method 2
• Black and white conversion method 3
• Creating duotone, tritone, and pentone effects
• Enhancing with the Colorama effect
• Creating custom gradients

7. Finishing Touches

• Creating a film look
• Adding a power window
• Adding texture
• Using the creative controls in the Lumetri Color effect

8. Working with Third-Party Tools

• Creating a LUT with Photoshop
• Creating a LUT with IWLTBAP
• Creating a LUT with 3D LUT Creator

Conclusion

• Conclusion