Thinking Like A Colorist: Breaking Down the Western Scene

December 14, 2016

Download the footage and follow along as professional Colorist Dan Moran, CSI color corrects a classic shot in the style of a Hollywood Western Look.


Series
Footage Link

You can download the Red clip here to try grading yourself before watching my video insight below.

Before you watch my video please have a go at the clip yourself!

The one I’m using is the Epic Dragon Anamorphic clip from the above link.

Where can we take this western scene?

For me as soon as I opened up this footage I knew exactly where I wanted to take it.

I describe my thoughts behind the look in the video below as I create the look but watching this muse video below for Knights Of Cydonia is a great start.

I ended up not going as far down this road as I thought I would but it was a great starting point and reference.

Muse “Knights of Cydonia” from Joseph Kahn on Vimeo.

Looking back after I have finished creating the look it feels like I focused mostly on trying to take the life out of the image but also not being too noticeable.

Reducing the reds and saturation first and then following up with the sky desaturation.

Jump to the video below to find out more and please do post your grades in the comments below!

If you’ve got any questions, be sure to leave a comment!

-Dan

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Comments

Homepage Forums Thinking Like A Colorist: Breaking Down the Western Scene

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  • Stefan Seul
    Member

  • VitusSoska
    Guest

  • Robbie Carman
    Guest

    really like this one!


  • Robbie Carman
    Guest

    this a great look – maybe a touch too saturated for my taste, but it has a great feel. Good job!


  • Lingfei Zhao
    Member
  • Somehow the children and the yellow meadow reminded me the “Wizard of Oz”.
    It tried to achieve a kind of contemporary technicolor look. I took inspiration from earlier https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ video of yours
    Thanks Dan!

  • Heres my attempt. Going for Ansel Adams inspiration. Really enjoying the series Dan.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/

  • This is an attempt, I hope, to reach a contemporary, theater released film. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/


  • andi winter
    Member

    it seems i am boring look 🙂 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/


  • andi winter
    Member

    very nice retro look. looks hand-colorized 🙂

  • I feel it gives a very natural vibe. Good job Andreas.


  • Robbie Carman
    Guest

    I think you nailed the ansel adams feel! Maybe a touch to crushed in the sky but I love this one


  • Robbie Carman
    Guest

    It’s really interesting…your grade changes the whole feel of the shot – now it feels like dusk, stormy and a little threatening! I like it!


  • Robbie Carman
    Guest

    I agree – feels pretty natural.


  • Robbie Carman
    Guest

    agreed!

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