Colour Grading Inspiration and Where to Find It

Colour Grading Inspiration and Where to Find It

Are you a budding filmmaker or video editor looking to elevate your colour grading game? Inspiration is the fuel for developing a distinctive style, and this post is your guide to finding it. We'll explore a wealth of resources, analyse specific examples, Here you will find the sources of where I get my creative spark…

What is Colour Grading?

Let's make sure we're on the same page. Colour grading is the art of transforming your video's colours to achieve a specific look, mood, or style. It goes way beyond basic colour correction. An experianced colourist uses colour to tell stories, set the emotional tone, and draw the viewer's focus and plays on the psychology of colour to whisk the viewer to a different emotional state.

Where to Find Colour Grading Inspiration

Inspiration is everywhere! Let's look at some of the best sources:

Inspiration in Everyday Life

This is my favourite place to get colour grading inspiration! A vibrantly painted building, the intricate patterns of a seashell, the vibrant colours of a farmers' market – inspiration can strike anywhere! Train your eye to be a colour detective. Notice the way a weathered rock face plays with textures and shades of grey, or how a blooming wildflower creates a pop of unexpected colour against a green meadow. Admire the vibrant sunset reflected in a still lake, where pinks, oranges, and purples intermingle.

Once you see the artistic potential around you, try to dissect what makes these elements appealing. Is it the juxtaposition of complementary colours, like the yellow of a sunflower against a deep blue sky? Is it a nuanced blend of analogous colours, like the greens and browns in a lush forest? The pastel rainbow of colours at sunset,? Perhaps it's the way light and shadow create depth and drama within a single colour family, like the sun dappling through tree leaves.

Tip!- Don’t just admire – document! Snap photos, take notes about intriguing combinations, or even collect natural items like leaves or stones with interesting colours. These treasures can become your reference points. Think about translating the vibrant energy of a coral reef into an underwater documentary scene, or how the subdued browns of a fallen log could inform the look of a fantasy film.

Inspiration in Films

Watch your favourite films with a colourist's eye. Analyse their colour palettes. Do colours evolve with the narrative? Consider the neon-infused future of "Blade Runner 2049," the soft, nostalgic tones of "Call Me By Your Name," or the vibrant, playful hues of Wes Anderson films, then there’s the colour grading, or rather the colour timing of movies that were shot on film, Kill Bill vol2 was shot on a Kodak 5277, watchmen on a 5218 negative and interstellar was shot with a Kodak 2383. All have different tones, and different colour pallets unique to them.

Inspiration in Everyay Life

High-end television shows often boast unique colour signatures. Think of the gritty blues and yellows of "Ozark," the rich historical palettes of “Bridgerton,” the bold, stylised look of “Euphoria” or the desaturated moodiness of “Dark”

Inspiration in Photgraphy

Study the work of great photographers. Notice their use of colour for mood, emphasis, and harmony. Seek inspiration on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or dedicated photography websites. Consider what makes a compelling still image, and how those elements could be translated into moving pictures.

Inspiration in classical and modern art

The worlds of classical and modern art offer a boundless wellspring of inspiration. Classical art, with its technical mastery, idealized forms, and timeless narratives, provides a foundation of technique and storytelling. In contrast, modern art's bold experimentation with color, shape, and abstraction pushes the boundaries of visual expression, provoking new ways of seeing the world. By immersing oneself in the rich tapestry of both traditional and contemporary art, one discovers a wealth of ideas, emotions, and techniques that spark creative fires and fuel unique artistic visions.

Deep Dive into Inspiration Sources

Here’s some great resources and ideas to get you started:

Movie Barcodes: This fun website (https://moviesincolour.com/) analyses films frame by frame, showing their colour palettes. Spot patterns and shifts that you can adapt for your own work

Colour Palette Websites: Sites like https://colourhunt.co/ offer vast collections of curated palettes. Search for moods ("dreamy", "energetic") or browse what's trending.

Filmmaker Forums and Communities: Find online communities dedicated to filmmaking and colour grading. Share your work, get feedback, and be inspired by what others are creating.

Gather Images: Screenshot from your favourite films, inspirational photography you find, anything that sparks ideas.

Analyse: Which colours are dominant? Are they warm or cool? Is there high or low contrast? Use your observations to guide your next colour grading project.

Getting started in finding colour grading inspiration

Finding inspiration is an ongoing process. The more you train your eye to see colour, the more possibilities will open up. Keep exploring, experimenting, and let your unique colour grading style shine!

Please also remember, that to get great results, you need a calibrated monitor otherwise all of your hard colour grading work will be for nothing!