For some reason, I find color grading both photographs and videos to be soothing and satisfying. If you have shot with a look in mind, your time in post-production likely ties it all together, however, it can be transformative in many ways. In the various raw video formats, you will find that your work looks flat and washed-out, which is by design, of course. This can act as something of a blank canvas and when you get to the color grading portion of the edit, you can choose the direction and mood you want to go.
For the most part, the color grade in The Last of Us is subtle; it doesn't become a key component of the show or film, as the grades in Drive or Blade do, for example. Although this sounds easier to copy, it can often be more difficult to mimic. In this video, you will see exactly how to replicate the look and match both the exposure values of different colors, as well as correct the colors themselves.
Do you prefer subtle color grades to the more blatant ones? What do you think of the color grade in The Last of Us? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
