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Top 5 4K Color Grading Tools for Cinematic Video

Color grading is the process of adjusting and enhancing the color and overall visual aesthetic of a film or video. This crucial stage in post-production involves modifying aspects like brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue to achieve a specific look or mood.

Grading a film in color can evoke different emotions—warm tones might create a sense of comfort, while cooler tones can convey a more somber or tense feeling.

Top 5 Color Grading Tools for 4K cinematic video

4k color grading tools cinematic

Filmmakers often use grading to establish a particular style or theme, aligning the visuals with the narrative or genre of the film. Color grading also involves correcting any color issues that may have arisen during filming, such as white balance errors or exposure problems.

By adding these extra layers of color, content creators can bring a cinematic overtone to the footage. Color grading is typically done using specialized software like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro, where colorists manipulate the footage with precision.

Here are the Best color grading tools that are simple and effective and lets you color grade your 4K footage with a cinematic look.

1) Davinci Resolve

Widely regarded as one of the best free tools for color grading, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced color correction features alongside video editing capabilities. Node-based color grading, extensive color wheels, scopes for monitoring, and support for high dynamic range (HDR) makes it a first preference for any professional filmmaker.

Features

  • Advanced Color Grading: Adjust lift, gamma, and gain. Fine-tune color balance and brightness. Build complex color grading setups with nodes for greater flexibility.
  • Editing Tools: Easily switch between multiple camera angles.
  • Fusion: A built-in node-based compositing tool for creating visual effects and motion graphics.

2) VN Video Editor

VN Video Editor is a popular mobile video editing app that provides a user-friendly interface and a range of powerful features, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced editors. The app supports multiple video and audio tracks, allowing for complex editing with layers. 

With its easy to use interface, we can Trim, split, and merge clips with precision. Adjust playback speed for slow-motion or fast-motion effects. VN Video Editor provides Basic color correction tools to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and more. These features will be enough for beginners who are starting out with their vlogs/shorts.

Export videos in various resolutions and aspect ratios, including HD and 4K to keep your content ready to publish.

3) LightWorks

Lightworks is a professional non-linear video editing software known for its robust features and flexibility, making it a popular choice among filmmakers, video editors, and content creators. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and offers both a free version and a paid Pro version.

LightWorks allows for the synchronization and editing of multiple camera angles easily. It also supports a range of real-time video effects and transitions, enabling creative edits without rendering delays. Precision trimming tools for fine-tuning edits on the timeline and a simple color grading tool panel makes it easier to grade the footage.

4) Adobe Premiere Pro (Trial)

While not free indefinitely, Adobe offers a free trial of Premiere Pro that includes advanced color grading tools. Lumetri Color panel for color grading, powerful editing capabilities, and integration with other Adobe products.

Premiere Pro Features

  • Adjust temperature and tint to correct color casts.
  • Modify exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks to achieve the desired tonal range.
  • Apply LUTs (Look-Up Tables) for stylized color grading.
  • Use the three-way color wheels to adjust shadows, midtones, and highlights.
  • Isolate specific colors in your footage for targeted adjustments in hue, saturation, and lightness.

5) ShotCut

Shotcut is a free, open-source video editing software that provides a wide range of features for both novice and experienced editors. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. ShotCut supports a variety of video, audio, and image formats, allowing for flexible editing options.

A wide selection of video filters for color correction, sharpening and blurring make ShotCut the best free tool to create both beginner and advanced content. With features for audio mixing, including filters for equalization, normalization, and volume control, ShotCut is available for Windows and Mac.

Color Grading ensures that colors are consistent across different shots and scenes. This visual coherence helps maintain the audience’s immersion in the story, making the viewing experience more enjoyable. It can help establish a filmmaker’s unique visual style. Many filmmakers and studios develop specific color palettes that become their trademark, making their work recognizable.

Use these Top 5 Color Grading Tools for 4K video to achieve your perfect tone for each sequence of the content. These 4K grading tools are available in both free or paid versions. We recommend you start with beginner tools and upgrade and pro versions.

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