Dream Image Club Videographer

Step 4 of 5

Colour that flows and stays true

Footage shot at different times, in different places and on different cameras rarely matches in light and colour. At this step I balance light and tone across the whole film while keeping the real look of people, products and places — rooms stay spacious and bright as they really are, fabric and food stay close to their true colour.

Illustration of a grading screen comparing a frame before and after colour correction, with colour wheels
An illustration of the step, not a photo from a real job

Comes in from the step before

The cut you have approved

Goes on to the next step

Picture with light and colour finished throughout

What I do at this step

  1. Balancing the light

    Making darker and brighter shots sit together across the film, while rooms and places still look as spacious and bright as they really are.

  2. Keeping key colours true

    Skin, fabric, food and products need to stay close to the real thing, because viewers decide based on what they see in the video.

  3. Mood through tone

    For work that needs atmosphere, such as a music video or short film, I set a tone that suits the story's mood without losing important detail.

  4. Good colour starts on set

    Lighting on the day keeps the source footage consistent from the start, so grading is about refining, not rescuing.

What you prepare

  • Brand colours, or a sample of the tone you like
  • The actual product for colour reference, if it is fashion or food
  • Where it will mainly be watched — phones, a screen at an event, or television

What comes out of it

  • A film with consistent light and colour throughout
  • People, products, fabric and food close to their true colour
  • A tone that matches the mood agreed in planning

What to watch for

  • Prettier than real

    Over-processed pictures can make rooms, food or products look different from the real thing. I aim for looking good while staying true.

  • Every screen is different

    When reviewing, watch on the kind of screen your viewers will use, such as a phone. Screens with different settings can make colour look slightly different.

  • Want a special look? Say so early

    If you want a film look or a particular tone, mention it in the planning step with reference pictures, because it also affects lighting and how we shoot.

From real jobs

Watch the videoMusic video — location, shoot, edit, grade and cover art
A music video where I found the location, shot, edited, graded and designed the cover.
Watch the videoMandarin Eastville — a large hotel in Chonburi, 2-day shoot
An advert for a large hotel in Chonburi, shot over two days and presented the way the client wanted.
Watch the videoOmakase Voyage — premium tour for the Japanese market, 5-day shoot
A premium travel advert aimed at Japanese visitors to Thailand: five days at many locations, a highly complex job.

Related types of work

Have a job in mind?

Send what you know — it does not need to be complete. I will help shape the approach and a first budget.

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