Color Grading: An Absolute Beginner's Crash Course

Overview

Have you ever wondered what exactly color grading or correction is? Or you know what it is but have always been too intimidated to try to do it yourself? Well this class is for you! In this course, taught by Fred Trevino, he breaks down color correction and grading to its most basic steps. The skills learned in this course transfer over to many programs (not just Da Vinci Resolve) so whether you work in Premiere, FCPX or any other program, you will walk away knowing how to make your images look better. This class is for any beginner who wants a crash course (just the basics) and wants to get up and running in their first grade. In this course, Fred even includes all the media used so that you can easily follow along. In this course we'll go over: * Lift, Gamma, Gain * Highlights * Shadows * Contrast * Saturation * Color Temperature * Tint * Secondaries and More! Watch the first few lessons and I'm sure you'll learn something you'll use on all your projects! About your teacher: Fred Trevino is a colorist at Beambox Studio and a Skillshare Top Teacher, grading projects for filmmakers and clients around the world. He has worked on over 60 feature films as well as hundreds of music videos, shorts, documentaries, commercials, and web spots. Fred’s corporate clients include HBO, ESPN, Shiseido, Under Armour, Sundance Channel, TruTV, and Pepsi. His work has screened at major festivals like Sundance, Cannes, and Slamdance. Based in New York City, he also enjoys street photography. Fred’s courses guide learners from beginner-level color grading to advanced industry techniques, including creating cinematic looks, matching shots, and professional workflows in DaVinci Resolve.

Syllabus

Getting Started with Color Grading

This module introduces the fundamentals of color grading. You’ll learn how to control the essential building blocks of an image using lift, gamma, and gain, as well as refine details like highlights, shadows, and saturation. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize and apply basic corrections that bring balance and clarity to your footage.

Refining and Matching the Look

Building on the basics, this module focuses on refining and unifying your footage. You’ll explore how to use temperature and tint controls to set the mood, apply secondary corrections to fine-tune specific areas, and ensure your shots match seamlessly across a project. These techniques help elevate your work from simple correction to polished storytelling.

Practical Tips and Finalizing Your Grade

The final module provides practical advice and concluding thoughts to help you refine your process. You’ll learn time-saving tips for grading more effectively, evaluate your final results, and reflect on the overall workflow. This wrap-up ensures you leave the course confident in your ability to apply color grading techniques in future projects.