Are you a videographer or content creator looking to take your videos to the next level? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, I will be sharing my tried-and-true method for color grading videos using the FUJI X-T3 camera. As a videographer myself, I understand the importance of capturing high-quality footage, but it’s equally crucial to enhance the colors and overall aesthetic during the post-production process. With the right color grading techniques, you can transform your videos and give them a professional, polished look that will captivate your audience. So, keep on reading to discover my step-by-step process for achieving stunning color grades with the FUJI X-T3!

How I Color Grade My Videos | FUJI X-T3

Introduction

What’s up guys, it’s Mitch here! Welcome back to a new video. This week, I’m gonna be addressing one of the most common questions I get asked on my YouTube channel: how do I color grade my videos? So before we jump into the computer and run through the entire color grading process, I wanted to talk about a few things really briefly.

Software and Picture Profile

The first thing I want to talk about is the software that I’m using to do my color grading and editing, and that is Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Don’t worry too much if you’re not a Premiere user, as the tools I’m going to be using today are pretty basic and found in most other popular editing software platforms. The second thing I want to talk about is the picture profile that I’m using on the camera.

If you haven’t been following along on this channel or couldn’t tell by the description, I’m currently using the Fuji X-T3 to record video. In the last firmware update, they brought in a really exciting new picture profile called HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). HLG is kind of like the happy medium between a full-on log profile and the more standard picture profile that you get on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. What I love about HLG is that it retains all of the dynamic range that you can get out of the X-T3 without all of the banding and macro blocking issues that I was running into when I was using F-log.

Importance of a Good Starting Point

The last thing I want to talk about is really important when we talk about getting a really nice color grade. It’s super important that we talk about your starting point, and a lot of the time, this comes down to getting a really good exposure. So, let’s do a little demonstration here to show you guys how I would expose HLG or log footage.

In low dynamic range scenes, you want your histogram details to lie somewhere between the middle and the top end of your histogram. A lot of filmmakers will call this exposing to the right, which simply means the bulk of your luma values tend to sit towards the right-hand side of the histogram but obviously not clipping to pure white. This is how I expose my histogram, and if it looks like this, I’m generally very happy.

The Color Grading Process

Now, let’s get into the computer and get started on the color grading process. Here we are in Adobe Premiere Pro, and as you can already tell, I’ve created a new project and I’ve also loaded in all my clips here in the project window. I’ve also dragged some clips that I want to start color grading down onto the timeline.

When you’re working with HLG, I definitely recommend transcoding your footage to something a lot more manageable for your computer. So, that’s what I’ve done here. I’ve transcoded this footage to ProRes 4:2:2 HQ. It’s just making it a lot easier. Look at how smoothly we’re playing back this 4K 60p footage from the Fuji H.265. It does take a lot more processing power than H.264, so just keep that in mind. I definitely transcode all of my footage from the Fuji cameras, especially when I’m using H.265.

Now, let’s start with the color grading process. The first thing you want to do with your footage is to come over to the Lumetri Color tab. Choose the F Log F gamut to F Log BT 709. If we toggle this on and off, you can see the dramatic effect it has on the skin tone.

The next part is to adjust the saturation. I usually bring it down to 80 to achieve a better look with a little bit less saturation. The next step is to go to the color wheels and match tab. Here, we can do our gamma correction. To adjust the gamma, we’ll use the shadow, mid-tone, and highlights sliders. We’ll bring down the shadow detail and bring up the whites a little bit to give a more contrasty look.

Finally, in the creative tab, we can add a little bit of the finishing touches to our footage.

Conclusion

And there you have it! That’s how I color grade my videos using the Fuji X-T3 and Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Remember, it’s important to start with a good exposure and use the right picture profile to get the best results. With some practice and experimentation, you’ll be able to achieve amazing color grades for your videos. So go ahead and give it a try!

How I Color Grade My Videos | FUJI X-T3

1. What is color grading?

Color grading is the post-production process of adjusting and enhancing the colors of a video to achieve a desired mood, style, or tone.

2. Why is color grading important for video production?

Color grading plays a crucial role in video production as it helps in setting the right atmosphere, highlighting specific elements, and conveying emotions effectively. It adds depth, consistency, and aesthetic appeal to the final video.

3. Can I color grade videos shot with a FUJI X-T3?

Absolutely! The FUJI X-T3 is an excellent camera known for capturing high-quality footage. Its footage is highly suitable for color grading, allowing you to enhance the visuals and achieve the desired look.

4. What software do you recommend for color grading videos?

There are many software options available for color grading, but Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro X are widely used and offer a wide range of powerful color grading tools.

5. How do I start color grading my videos?

To color grade your videos, you need to import your footage into the chosen software and apply adjustments using color grading tools such as color wheels, curves, and saturation controls. Experiment with different settings to achieve your desired visual style.

6. Are there any color grading tutorials specific to FUJI X-T3 videos?

Yes, there are numerous tutorials available online that specifically cover color grading for footage shot with the FUJI X-T3. These tutorials can provide you with valuable insights and techniques to achieve professional-looking results.

7. What are some tips for effective color grading?

– Understand the mood and style you want to convey before starting the color grading process.
– Shoot in a flat or log profile for more flexibility during color grading.
– Use reference images or videos to guide your color grading decisions.
– Pay attention to skin tones and ensure they appear natural.
– Apply color grading adjustments subtly, avoiding excessive effects that may look unnatural.

8. Can I save my color grading presets for future use?

Most color grading software allows you to save your adjustments as presets. This can be beneficial in maintaining consistency across multiple videos or projects, saving time, and ensuring a cohesive visual style.

I hope you find useful my article How I Color Grade My Videos | FUJI X-T3, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.

If you need help with anything join the community or do not hesitate to contact me.

Best of luck! and follow your passion.

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How I Color Grade My Videos | FUJI X-T3