
SHAPING DIGITAL IMAGES
BY RAPHAEL JAAFARI · LOUIS LUMIERE FRENCH NATIONAL FILM SCHOOL · 2024
THE ART OF LOOK DEVELOPMENT WITH DIGITAL GRADING TOOLS
​In the past, I always thought it was false to compare cinema to painting.
However, with the digital intermediate we can work on contrast and color relationships that were impossible with photochemistry and actually get closer to painting.
​
Bruno Delbonnel, 2004
The film industry under went a significant upheaval during the first decade of the 21st century. The filmic image, previously reliant on analog formats, witnessed the gradual advent of digital technologies, resulting in a loss of aesthetic and technical landmarks. With the emergence of digital cinematography and post- production, came an opportunity to further explore the creative possibilities of the filmic image through the concept of look development and associated tools.
How can today’s digital color grading tools allow us to achieve a level of artistic control over the visual look of our images that had never been reached before ?
LOOK DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
We have a wide range of color grading tools that allow us to shape the look of an image with great precision. However, many of these tools, especially those designed for secondary correction, are not intended for look development. These tools are often used for targeted adjustments on specific areas of the image, using masks, selections, and tracking. While essential in color grading, these corrections are designed for localized interventions and are not suited for the creation of a specific look, both conceptually and technically.
As part of my research, I have developed several tools that go beyond the limitations of the standard tools found in most color grading software (with the exception of Baselight). These tools, in the form of DCTLs, are designed to be integrated and used directly within DaVinci Resolve.


GREENHANCER
The "Greenhancer" DCTL enhances the rendering of greens in an image with a single click. A common issue, especially with certain manufacturers, is the flat, artificial feel of images with abundant vegetation, despite sensors capturing a wide range of green hues and being photometrically accurate. This tool improves the visual richness by introducing subtle color separation. The result is a more dynamic representation of foliage and greenery, closely matching our subjective memory of nature's vibrant tones.


CONTRAST CURVE
Inspired by the study of sensitometric curves in analog film, the "Contrast Curve" DCTL is an intuitive tool for shaping contrast. It features sliders to control the slope, shoulder, and toe of the curve, enabling highly customizable adjustments. Unlike Resolve’s curve tool, which requires numerous control points, this tool simplifies the process while offering greater accuracy. It also ensures neutral gray is preserved when adjusting contrast—a critical feature for cinematographers aiming for consistent results.


COLOR SHAPER
The "Color Shaper" DCTL provides advanced control over an image’s color palette. It allows you to isolate colors based on their hue and independently adjust their brilliance (density), saturation, and even shift them toward neighboring hues. What makes this tool so powerful is its spherical mathematical model, offering much finer and more controlled adjustments compared to Resolve’s less precise models. This results in more accurate and nuanced color manipulation, enabling the creation of truly unique looks.


SPLIT TONING
Inspired by the behavior of film stocks, the "Split Toning" DCTL is an intuitive tool for precise color grading. It allows users to apply distinct color tones to the shadows, midtones, and highlights of an image. A superimposed curve helps adjust the hue and pivot points, defining where tonal shifts begin or end. It offers enhanced control compared to Resolve's native curve or wheels tools, enabling precise tonal adjustments.
If you would like to explore my research further, I invite you to read my master's thesis, available here (currently only in French) :
LOOK DEVELOPMENT IN THE ERA OF DIGITAL GRADING TOOLS