Color Correction and Grading for Underwater Footage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Color correction and grading are essential post-production steps for bringing underwater footage to life. Due to color absorption and water conditions, raw footage often appears blue or green, requiring adjustments to restore vibrancy and balance.

Step 1: Adjust White Balance

Before filming, set a custom white balance according to your shooting depth. However, post-production adjustments are still necessary.

• Use white balance eyedroppers in software like DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro to correct color shifts.

• Shoot in RAW or Log formats to have greater flexibility in color correction.

Step 2: Enhance Contrast and Saturation

Underwater footage often appears flat due to light diffusion. Increase contrast and saturation to make marine life and coral reefs pop.

Step 3: Apply LUTs

Look-Up Tables (LUTs) are useful for quickly applying color grading presets designed for underwater cinematography. These can enhance blues, correct greens, and balance exposure.

Step 4: Fine-Tune Details

• Adjust exposure to compensate for inconsistent lighting conditions.

• Use sharpening tools to bring out textures in marine life and coral.

• Reduce noise to minimize graininess caused by low-light conditions.

By following these steps, you can turn dull underwater footage into a visually stunning cinematic experience.