Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 8 minutes ago
Today we go over How the Different Contrast and Exposure Controls in DaVinci Resolve 16 work.
Download Davinci Resolve for Free: blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
Example video Downloads:
Train Track Shots: drive.google.com/file/d/1olUV40apUeKzc9Rz4E1K_gsm9bmtx-Wm/view?usp=sharing
Models Walking in Daylight: blackmagicdesign.com/ca/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera/gallery
I unfortunately can not share the original plane shot as it's part of an unreleased music video, and the full shot has the song in it.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:38 - Tutorial (Setup)
1:53 - How it works (Overview)
2:34 - How it works (Curves)
3:41 - How it works (Contrast Slider)
5:03 - How it works (Primary Controls)
6:17 - How it works (Log Controls)
7:33 - How it works (Offset Adjustments)
7:53 - Practical Application
9:45 - Before/After
9:55 - Outro
Notes:
Ultimately the goal of this video was to demonstrate the different ways of applying contrast in Resolve. Different tools that affect different areas linearly or logarithmically to achieve your desired result. Understanding how these tools operate will allow you to efficiently produce the look you want with practice and repetition.
So regarding the before and after at the end, to be clear the intent is not to say "look at how bad this image was before, and now we've fixed it" but rather demonstrate how to make contrast and exposure adjustments using multiple tools together in Resolve. I chose an overexposed starting image so the adjustments would be abundantly apparent, hope that clears up any possible confusion.
Check out the extra credit unlisted video for an explanation on how contrast impacts saturation. Ultimately adding contrast increases the distance between the brightest and darkest part of the image. With this change also occurring on a sub pixel level you get a larger difference between the sub pixels, resulting in increased saturation. The larger the initial gap, the more of an effect will be produced by adding contrast. If you're lost, just watch the video, that should make it pretty easy to follow.
References:
Extra Credit Color Saturation: youtu.be/RLyg1LTFR6E
Color Grading with Curves: youtu.be/Rx4Sy_eKLWs
Balancing Shadows with Log Controls: youtu.be/sQvATFSIFU0
Check out the DaVinci Resolve 16 reference manual to learn more you can find it in the help tab of Resolve.
Contrast and Pivot: Page 2434
_______________________________
Socials:
I don't have any yet, but if I get some you'll be the first to know.
Gear I use:
Camera - Black Magic Pocket 4k
Microphone - Rode NTK
Main Lens - Meike 12mm f2.8
Other lenses - Meike 35 mm f1.7, Rokinon 50mm T1.5, Rokinon 24mm T1.5
Tripod - Velbon Videomate 638
Computer Specs:
CPU - Ryzen 1700x
GPU - GTX 1070
Monitor - Eizo CG2420
Today we go over How the Different Contrast and Exposure Controls in DaVinci Resolve 16 work.
Download Davinci Resolve for Free: blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
Example video Downloads:
Train Track Shots: drive.google.com/file/d/1olUV40apUeKzc9Rz4E1K_gsm9bmtx-Wm/view?usp=sharing
Models Walking in Daylight: blackmagicdesign.com/ca/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera/gallery
I unfortunately can not share the original plane shot as it's part of an unreleased music video, and the full shot has the song in it.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:38 - Tutorial (Setup)
1:53 - How it works (Overview)
2:34 - How it works (Curves)
3:41 - How it works (Contrast Slider)
5:03 - How it works (Primary Controls)
6:17 - How it works (Log Controls)
7:33 - How it works (Offset Adjustments)
7:53 - Practical Application
9:45 - Before/After
9:55 - Outro
Notes:
Ultimately the goal of this video was to demonstrate the different ways of applying contrast in Resolve. Different tools that affect different areas linearly or logarithmically to achieve your desired result. Understanding how these tools operate will allow you to efficiently produce the look you want with practice and repetition.
So regarding the before and after at the end, to be clear the intent is not to say "look at how bad this image was before, and now we've fixed it" but rather demonstrate how to make contrast and exposure adjustments using multiple tools together in Resolve. I chose an overexposed starting image so the adjustments would be abundantly apparent, hope that clears up any possible confusion.
Check out the extra credit unlisted video for an explanation on how contrast impacts saturation. Ultimately adding contrast increases the distance between the brightest and darkest part of the image. With this change also occurring on a sub pixel level you get a larger difference between the sub pixels, resulting in increased saturation. The larger the initial gap, the more of an effect will be produced by adding contrast. If you're lost, just watch the video, that should make it pretty easy to follow.
References:
Extra Credit Color Saturation: youtu.be/RLyg1LTFR6E
Color Grading with Curves: youtu.be/Rx4Sy_eKLWs
Balancing Shadows with Log Controls: youtu.be/sQvATFSIFU0
Check out the DaVinci Resolve 16 reference manual to learn more you can find it in the help tab of Resolve.
Contrast and Pivot: Page 2434
_______________________________
Socials:
I don't have any yet, but if I get some you'll be the first to know.
Gear I use:
Camera - Black Magic Pocket 4k
Microphone - Rode NTK
Main Lens - Meike 12mm f2.8
Other lenses - Meike 35 mm f1.7, Rokinon 50mm T1.5, Rokinon 24mm T1.5
Tripod - Velbon Videomate 638
Computer Specs:
CPU - Ryzen 1700x
GPU - GTX 1070
Monitor - Eizo CG2420
