Free Halation PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve: Achieve Filmic Glow in Your Digital Footage
Hello, creative minds! Are you ready to infuse your digital footage with a touch of film magic? This week, we delve into the art of creating a halation effect using DaVinci Resolve, a process that mimics the nostalgic and artistic glow of celluloid film. With our Free Halation PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve, you can elevate your projects to a whole new level of thematic expression.
Let’s start with the basics—what is halation? As illustrated in the diagram below, halation is a phenomenon that occurs in celluloid film when bright light bounces back and forth within the layers of the film. This process exposes the film’s photoreceptor, particularly affecting the red and slightly the green layers. The result? A distinctive reddish-orange glow that creates an ethereal, blooming effect. Halation is not just an anomaly; it’s a signature characteristic that adds depth and nostalgia to film footage. When recreated digitally, this glow effect gives your footage a retro or cinematic aesthetic, perfect for fashion films, music videos, or commercials.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps to apply a halation effect using DaVinci Resolve’s integrated plugin. Please note that our approach is not a one-to-one mathematical replication of halation but rather a creative mimicry, refined through extensive study and experience with film footage. And the best part? We’ve made a Free Halation PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve available for download to help you get started effortlessly.
Step 1: Prepare Your Footage
Begin with a shot in your DaVinci Resolve timeline that has already undergone color correction. A well-graded shot provides the perfect canvas for adding the halation effect.
Step 2: Add a Halation Node
After the last node in your node tree, create a new node dedicated to the halation effect. Placing this node at the end ensures a polished and cohesive look. Label this node “Halation” for clarity.
Step 3: Apply the Halation Effect
Navigate to the Effects tab, type “halation,” and drag the Halation OFX plugin onto the newly created node. To refine the effect, enable the “View Isolated Region” option and adjust the Threshold slider. Increase the threshold until you see minimal details on your subject’s face, focusing on isolating the highlights.
Step 4: Fine-Tune the Dye Layer Reflection
Disable the “View Isolated Region” option and adjust the Strength slider under the Dye Layer Reflection tab. The Strength slider controls the overall intensity of the glow. A value of 0.660 hits the sweet spot, striking a balance between visibility and subtlety. Next, increase the Spread slider to extend the halation effect across the highlights. A value of 0.450 ensures a balanced dispersion.
Step 5: View the Glow Alone
Click on the “View Glow Alone” button to assess the light dispersion. This step helps you visualize how the halation effect interacts with your footage.
Step 6: Adjust Relative Spread
To perfect the halation, click on the “Fine Tune Relative Spread” option. This feature allows you to control the spread across different color channels. Start by drastically reducing the blue spread, creating a greenish-yellowish-red glow. Then, adjust the red spread to 1.8 for a richer, filmic feel. Reduce the green spread slightly, ensuring that the halation composition is approximately one-third greenish-yellow and two-thirds red. This meticulous adjustment closely resembles the glow seen in processed film.
Step 7: Address Softening Issues
You may notice that the halation effect softens areas beyond the highlights, which isn’t ideal. To fix this, enable “View Glow Alone” in the Global Adjustment section. This action renders the image black, isolating the halation effect. Areas that shouldn’t have halation, such as shadows and midtones, will appear red.
Step 8: Refine the Threshold
Use the Black Correction mode in the Effects tab to fine-tune the threshold. Increase the threshold until the halation is confined to the bright highlights and avoids areas without significant light or tonal contrast. A threshold value of 0.360 works well for achieving a polished look.
Step 9: Final Adjustments
Halation is a delicate effect that requires finesse. Dial back the overall intensity slightly to ensure the glow is subtle and only enhances the brightest areas of your footage. This nuanced application ensures your footage retains its sharpness and visual integrity.
Step 10: Save and Reuse
Rename the node “Halation” and copy it to other shots in your timeline to maintain consistency. With our Free Halation PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve, you can replicate these settings across projects effortlessly.
Unlock Creative Look with the Free Halation PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve
To make your workflow even easier, we’ve created a pre-set Halation PowerGrade that encapsulates all the settings discussed above. Download it for free using the link provided below and start transforming your footage today.
Halation is a subtle yet powerful tool that can dramatically enhance the cinematic quality of your work. By following these steps and leveraging our Free Halation PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve, you can achieve a filmic glow that adds depth, nostalgia, and artistic flair to your projects.
Until next time, keep creating, exploring, and sharing your art with the world. Don’t forget to subscribe to and follow the Colorist Factory’s YouTube and Instagram pages for more tips, tutorials, and free resources. Happy grading!
