DaVinci Resolve 20 | How To Get Cinematic Saturation In Seconds!
Learn how to achieve cinematic saturation and color density in DaVinci Resolve 20 using a powerful node-based color grading trick. This DaVinci Resolve tutorial skips the global saturation slider and walks you through a more intentional, filmic approach using HSL and HSV nodes. Whether you’re after rich cinematic color or moody desaturation, this workflow gives you total control over the final look. Step-by-step, I’ll show you how to build this into your node tree and explain why it works under the hood.
Here's a deeper breakdown of what's going on:
In the HSL color model, saturation is calculated in relation to perceived luminance—not the raw RGB maximums. This means when we reduce saturation via the gain wheel in an HSL node, we’re essentially pulling back chroma while preserving tonal contrast and lightness. Since luminance in HSL is defined as the average of max and min RGB values, saturation adjustments behave more predictably across shadows, mids, and highlights—perfect for controlled desaturation without color shifts or muddying.
HSV ties saturation directly to value (brightness), meaning the saturation level is a function of how dominant the highest RGB channel is relative to the others. When increasing gain inside a node set to HSV, you’re effectively amplifying the chroma in proportion to the brightness of the pixel—which results in a punchier, denser saturation that visually feels like richer color volume. This is why HSV is ideal for rebuilding saturation after compression: it fills the color spectrum in a way that mimics how film stocks layer chroma density.
Many thanks to Derek Morrison:
/ dmorrison.colorist
/ derek-morrison-59129844
Graded Using FilmConvert
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:32 The Technique
04:02 How This Works Under The Hood
05:08 Example 02 (Speedy Application)
06:53 Example 03 (Rich Desaturation)
08:45 Example 04 (Desaturation)
09:58 Example 05 (Desaturation)
11:15 Final Thoughts
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