What is the best way to describe your experience with color grading?

My experience with color grading is that it's far too often overdone. I look at color grading the way I think about editing, if it draws attention to itself you've defeated the purpose of it. Like a skillful edit, color grading should be "invisible". If I find myself thinking, "Wow that looks really blue" (I'm lookin at you Ozark) or, "They must have used the teal and gold preset", I'm taken out of the story. To my mind, subtle is always better. Your color grading should make the viewer FEEL a certain way. It shouldn't make them want to adjust the color of their screen.

Color grading is my canvas for storytelling. It's about shaping mood, enhancing narratives, and evoking emotions through color. With an eye for aesthetics, I use grading tools to establish visual consistency, create contrast, and emphasize focal points. Experience wise, I've honed my skills in color theory, mastering software, and understanding the psychology behind color choices to enrich visual narratives seamlessly.

When describing your experience with color grading, it is essential to provide a clear and concise overview of your expertise and accomplishments in this field. Consider the following approach: Highlight Your Expertise: Begin by stating your level of expertise in color grading and any relevant qualifications or certifications you hold. For example, you could mention if you have extensive experience or advanced training in color grading techniques and tools. Example: "I have accumulated over five years of professional experience in color grading and possess advanced training in industry-standard color grading software and techniques."

My experience with color grading involves a comprehensive understanding of the emotional and aesthetic impact that color can have on visual storytelling. Through meticulous adjustments in hue, saturation, and contrast, I enhance the overall mood and tone of video content to align with the intended narrative. Utilizing a combination of technical expertise and artistic sensibility, I ensure that the color grading process contributes to a visually compelling and cohesive storytelling experience.

Schooling and a practiced eye really do come into play here. Color theory, composition and scene meaning and purpose all are just a few of the principles. Just because something looks good doesn’t mean it’s right. I love using Picasso as an example. He created a movement but he still knew how to fundamentally draw properly. Know what why and how then break the rules because you know them.

One thing to remember about your reel as a colorist is to have a diverse set of work in your portfolio. It may be beneficial to do work for free in the beginning or a reduced fee in order to add a new type of video or a new look to your portfolio.

Something I’d also like to add about growing in the field of coloring is to accept criticism in a positive manner. Far too often, people take criticism as an attack instead of an avenue to getting better. Your work will get better with time, and the only person you have to compete with is yourself.