The Highest Level of Color Grading — No LUTs, No Plugins
Build a high-end, professional color grade from scratch—no LUTs, no plugins, using only native tools in DaVinci Resolve. In this video, I break down a complete level-based workflow for color grading, covering light distribution, color hierarchy, color toning, and color compression. Whether you shoot in S-Log3 or Rec.709, this approach will help you achieve clean, cinematic, and controlled results with full creative flexibility.
If you want to practice with the original footage, let me know in the comments.
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Project & Technical Setup
🎥 All the footage was shot on Sony A7C II, in 4K 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3, and were edited, and color-graded in DaVinci Resolve 20 Studio in MacBook Pro.
🎨 Color Management for this video
Timeline Color Space: DaVinci Wide Gamut / Intermediate
Output Color Space: Rec. 709 (Scene)
📤 Export Settings for this video
Format: QuickTime
Codec: DNxHR
Type: DNxHR HQX 10-bit
Network Optimization: Enabled
Resolution: 4K
Constant Bit Rate: Disabled
Data Level: Full
Color Space Tag: Rec.709
Gamma Tag: Rec. Same as Project
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Topics covered in this video:
Color Space Transform (S-Log3 to Rec.709 workflow)
DaVinci Wide Gamut color grading pipeline
Light distribution and tonal balance (luma control)
Corrective light rebalance vs local light shaping
Contrast building using curves and pivot placement
Color hierarchy (Hue vs Sat & Color Slice techniques)
Saturation placement with Lum vs Sat (filmic color depth)
Color toning / split toning for mood and separation
RGB Mixer color compression (film emulation technique)
Soft Clip for highlight roll-off and shadow polish
Complete node tree structure for professional workflows
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🎬 Video Links
Create Your Film Grade in DaVinci Resolve – The Ultimate Cinematic Color Grading Tutorial
• Create Your Film Grade in DaVinci Resolve ...
Mastering Color Space Transform: Resolve Tone Mappings, Gamut, OOTF, Advanced Pipeline
• Mastering Color Space Transform: Resolve T...
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Summary
This video demonstrates a complete, professional DaVinci Resolve color grading workflow without relying on LUTs or plugins. Starting from log footage (S-Log3) and working in DaVinci Wide Gamut, the tutorial focuses on building a strong foundation through proper light distribution before moving into advanced color techniques. You’ll learn how to organize color relationships, apply split toning for mood and subject separation, and use RGB crosstalk for color compression to achieve a cohesive, filmic look. This approach emphasizes control, intentionality, and flexibility—allowing you to develop your own signature color grade for YouTube or professional delivery.
#davinciresolve #colorgrading #colorgradingtutorial
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Chapters
00:00 – Build Your Color Grade
00:32 – Level 1: Fix the Light
01:28 – Lv 1: Color Space Transform
02:10 – Lv 1: Tone Compression
03:03 – Lv 1: White Balance
03:37 – Lv 1: Contrast with Curves
04:01 – Lv 1: Middle Gray
04:28 – Lv 1: Find Middle Gray (Free Version)
04:56 – Lv 1: Build Contrast
05:41 – Lv 1: Further Light Adjustments
06:57 – Level 2: Color Hierarchy
07:35 – Lv 2: Hue vs Sat
08:26 – Lv 2: Lum vs Sat
09:43 – Lv 2: Color Slice
11:00 – Level 3: Color Toning
12:09 – Lv 3: Color + Log Wheels
14:04 – Lv 3: Soft Clip
15:08 – Level 4: Color Compression
18:31 – Bonus Level: Texturing
19:35 – Summary
🎵 All music and sounds are from
https://uppbeat.io