Color Grading and Correction Flashcards

What does 'white balance' correct in footage?

Answer: Color cast caused by different light sources

White balance corrects unwanted color casts so that neutral tones like white and gray appear neutral under different lighting conditions.

Which color space is commonly used for high dynamic range (HDR) video content?

Answer: Rec. 2020

Rec. 2020 is the color space standard used for HDR and Ultra HD content, offering a much wider gamut than Rec. 709.

What is the purpose of a 'node' in DaVinci Resolve's color grading workflow?

Answer: To apply and stack color operations independently and non-destructively

Nodes in DaVinci Resolve allow colorists to apply individual color operations that can be linked, stacked, and adjusted independently.

What does 'log footage' refer to in video production?

Answer: Footage encoded in a flat, low-contrast profile to preserve dynamic range

Log footage uses a logarithmic encoding to preserve maximum dynamic range, requiring color grading to look natural.

In color grading, what is 'secondary color correction'?

Answer: Targeting and adjusting a specific color range without affecting others

Secondary color correction isolates a specific color or region to make targeted adjustments without affecting the rest of the image.

What is the safe luma range for broadcast video to avoid illegal levels?

Answer: 16–235 (legal broadcast range)

Broadcast legal levels for luma in 8-bit video are 16 (black) to 235 (white) to prevent clipping on broadcast monitors.