Are you a filmmaker striving for that perfect color grade? Look no further than a color checker or color chart. While we often rely on our editing tools or Resolve for color correction, a color checker can make managing color much easier on set.
Confession time: I used to be skeptical of color checkers. But after some research and experimentation, I’ve discovered just how powerful they can be. Let’s take a closer look at how this little tool can help you achieve better video.
First and foremost, a color checker helps keep color constant and consistent throughout the entire process. From lighting and white balance to lens and camera changes, color charts ensure everything runs smoothly. How does it work? The color palettes in your color checker are perfect swabs of cyan, green, magenta, yellow, red, and blue. Once captured within the frame of your camera, this image is brought into your NLE or color correction software to correct for picture-perfect color.
But wait, there’s more! Most color checkers also come with a middle grey card, which sits perfectly at 50 on your IRE scale. This means you can use it with zebras and false color to ensure proper exposure. Set your zebras to show at 50%, and once they appear on your grey card, you’ll know you have a properly exposed image. The same goes for false color – whichever color you’ve allocated to represent 50 IRE will appear on the middle grey card once proper exposure is set.
Overall, a color checker is a great addition to any filmmaker’s kit. It may not be the most exciting purchase, but it can certainly elevate your videos to the next level. Check out the video tutorial below for more information on how to incorporate a color checker into your next project.
And if you’re looking for more filmmaking tips and tricks, be sure to check out our other articles on color science, filming windows, adding atmospheric texture, using foreground elements, and filming in natural fog.
