Video Color Correction & Grading in Adobe Premiere Pro
Just as with photo editing in Camera Raw, a professional video workflow relies on a structured, non-destructive approach. In Premiere Pro, we use the Lumetri Color panel to handle technical color correction first, followed by creative color grading to establish the brand vibe and personality.
By keeping the order and concepts similar to our photo workflow—Exposure/White Balance > Contrast > Shadows/Highlights > Color Grading > Framing—you can apply the exact same logic to moving images.
Phase 1: Setup & Panel Workspace
Step 1: Open the Lumetri Color Panel
- Select your video clip on the Timeline.
- Open the color workspace by going to Window > Lumetri Color (or click the Color workspace tab at the top of Premiere).
- The Lumetri panel will open on the right side of your screen, organized into collapsible tabs.
Phase 2: Technical Color Correction (Basic Correction Tab)
Expand the Basic Correction tab in the Lumetri panel. Work from top to bottom. The goal here is clean, balanced lighting and natural skin tones before applying any creative styling.
Step 2: Execute Tonal & Color Adjustments
- Set White Balance:
- Click the White Balance Selector (the eyedropper tool) and click on a part of your video that should be neutral white or light gray (like a white shirt or concrete wall).
- Alternatively, manually adjust Temperature (blue/yellow) and Tint (green/magenta) until skin tones look natural.
- Set Overall Exposure: Adjust the Exposure slider if the entire shot is too dark or too bright.
- Set Contrast: Adjust Contrast to pull flat, washed-out footage into a punchy, clear range.
- Recover Highlights & Shadows:
- Pull down Highlights to rescue blown-out bright areas (sky, bright windows, reflections).
- Lift Shadows to open up crushed, muddy dark areas.
- Pro Tip: Use the Whites and Blacks sliders to set your absolute white and black points.
- Adjust Saturation: Boost or dial back overall Saturation so colors look vibrant and true to life (avoid pushing this too far, or skin tones will glow neon).
💡 Pro Habit (The FX Toggle Check): Click the fx checkbox at the very top of the Lumetri Color panel to toggle your color corrections on and off. If your “Before” look appears more natural than your current corrections, dial back your sliders.
Phase 3: Creative Color Grading (Brand & Vibe)
Once your video is technically balanced, expand the Creative or Color Wheels & Match tabs to establish mood, brand personality, and visual storytelling.
Step 3: Grade with Intent Using Color Wheels
Open the Color Wheels & Match tab (featuring Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights wheels).
- Apply the Rule of Two: Pick two complementary or harmonious tones to build your story (e.g., warm, golden highlights for approachability combined with cool, moody shadows for cinematic depth). Avoid tinting every wheel indiscriminately.
- Control the Balance: Use the sliders beneath the wheels to fine-tune how bright or dark your shadow and highlight grades appear.
Phase 4: Composition & Visual Hierarchy
Step 4: Refine Framing & Scale (Lumetri / Effect Controls)
Unlike a static photo crop, video framing is typically handled before coloring, but fine adjustments can be made in the Effect Controls panel:
- Check Scale & Position: If you need to punch in slightly on a clip to remove distractions or improve framing, select the clip on the timeline and adjust Scale and Position in the Effect Controls panel.
- Ensure Audience Focus: Ensure the subject remains the clear focal point, keeping any lower thirds, titles, or graphic safe zones in mind.
Phase 5: Non-Destructive Flexibility
Because Lumetri adjustments act as video effects applied directly to the clip:
- You can re-open the Lumetri Color panel at any second on the timeline to tweak exposure, adjust color wheels, or change white balance.
- If you need to copy your exact color grade to other clips in the sequence, simply right-click your edited clip, select Copy, select your other clips, right-click, and choose Paste Attributes (checking Lumetri Color).