TONESPLIT
INTRODUCTION
The Split Tone DCTL is a tool that can be used 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.
MAIN FUNCTIONNALITIES
NEUTRAL GRAY PRESERVATION
Red, Green, and Blue channels are split independently across different tonal regions.
This allows for separate adjustments of highlights, midtones, and shadows while preserving neutral tones such as black, white, and middle gray, ensuring they remain clean. With the pivot control, you can fine-tune exactly where the RGB split occurs.
INDEPENDENT SECTION CONTROL
Shadows, midtones, and highlights can be tinted separately, allowing for precise control over color shifts in different tonal regions. By adjusting each tonal range independently, one can create a cohesive look while maintaining a clear distinction between shadows, midtones, and highlights.
COMPARISON WITH BUILT-IN TOOLS
There are several ways to add split toning in color grading software, but most tools come with significant limitations. Here’s an overview of the most common methods and their issues:
CUSTOM CURVES
Achieving the perfect curve shape can be a meticulous process, even with tools like ‘editable splines.’ Adjusting a single point often requires fine-tuning multiple others to maintain a balanced curve, making precise color grading both time-consuming and complex. The ‘RGB Split Tone’ DCTL offers a more efficient alternative by preventing unintended shifts in the RGB splines when modifying a specific part of the curve.
LOG WHEELS
Using the log wheels for split toning is not ideal, as they offer only rough control over color adjustments. While you can adjust the range over which the wheels apply their corrections, you have no direct control over the shape of the curve they use. Achieving precise and consistent color separation without affecting neutral tones is challenging, making it harder to fine-tune the image without introducing unwanted shifts.
BEFORE/AFTER EXAMPLES