Color Grading Using Scopes in FCP X (v. 10.1.3)

The first three commandments of color grading are 1) adjust the blacks first, 2) adjust the whites second, and 3) adjust the color last.
Here we go over the Vectorscope, the Histogram, and the Waveform and demonstrate why it needs to be done in this order.
We have a couple of examples of using the Vectorsope in setting proper skin tones.
We also go over setting up a Color Mask and a Shape Mask for more selective color adjustments.

[@avivafontenay]

Thank you very much for this very clear tutorial, especially at 7:00 where you show the effect of color changes to the black level. This had me pulling my hair out until you shone the light! Thanks again!

[@warwickd35]

Thank you. A very helpful video.

[@chrisswift4303]

You're welcome. If you'd like to suggest a tutorial in FCPX (or even Photoshop), just drop me a line.

[@stinkus9122]

I have a question for you. Any tips on how to manipulate and shift brown colors? And how to make specific colors in a shot more vibrant? Like maybe specific tree color for example and you want to shift that color to something slightly different and make it more vibrant. Thanks.

[@narcosisfilms]

Thank you Chris for your explanation. Wondering if you have any tips for correcting the colour for underwater clips - I am trying to work with some footage from diving with Bull Sharks in Fiji - my main issue is that video lighting was not allowable when filming the sharks - they will attack the light source. My depth is around 20 metres so not much natural light to work with so my footage is a bit flat looking. I know there is some detail in there that I need to bring out without making the video look unnatural. J

[@gilgillis2445]

Very good! Thanks.

[@chrisswift4303]

You're welcome. Just let me know if you want to suggest a tutorial in FCPX (or even Photoshop) and I'll do my best.

[@jeruleasiatic]

Thank you

[@chrisswift4303]

My pleasure!

[@Lanttimatkat]

thumbs up for this, will help us in the future with our travels.
-Antti/ lanttimatkat

[@barandcross]

Useful and very informative and one of the best I have seen to explain what has always been to me, up to now, a mystery.
However I felt that when you had corrected the tones on the half Asian half Caucasian girl at around 16:05 you skipped far too quickly onto the next clip - "clip from hell". We didn't really get a chance to see, or reflect on, how effective your work had been on the skin tones. Other than that very useful.