Color Grading Skin Tones is the most difficult part of being a film colorist. By default, the most likely clients will always request for the skin to be as natural as possible! Depending on the camera system you working, it may be a difficult challenge. Some cameras just simply cannot produce accurate skin. Pair that with a creative look on top of that and you gonna have a very hard time with your project.

Color Grading Skin Tones

The golden rule for most projects is to keep the skin natural. In the above video tutorial, I am demonstrating how you can preserve natural skin and create alternative teal and orange look within the same shot. Footage for the tutorial was provided by RAW.FILM – Fantastic Stock Footage Platform. The file I am working with was shot on RED Camera. Always be sure to have a natural look for your first step before continuing your color grading process.