Simple Color Management Setup in DaVinci Resolve
Here's how to transform your flat, desaturated log encoded footage so that it POPs from your new Sony a7iv or Canon R5C without using a LUT or a color grade.
First, open project settings and go to color management to enable DaVinci YRGB color managed. Choose HDR color processing mode and uncheck the automatic color management box so you can change the color processing mode to HDR Davinci Wide Gamut Intermediate. Wide Gamut is a massive color space and is the latest and greatest from Blackmagic Design.
For most situations, leave your output color space at Rec 709 Gamma 2.4 unless you are working exclusively on an apple display, then you can choose rec 709-A. And Save. I have a video about using rec709-A to make youtube videos from a Mac that's linked in the description.
In the media pool or color page, right-click to tell DaVinci Resolve what color space was used to film with in-camera. Ask the production team for this color space information or use a utility like sony catalyst browse to read the whole clip metadata. And if you have raw footage like Blackmagic b raw, DaVinci resolve already has this taken care of behind the scenes.
One of my favorite tools to use with color-managed projects are the hdr color wheels because they behave the same way a camera does with exposure and white balance and have a very nice roll-off that doesn't clip easily.
Now you have the flexibility of recording high dynamic range log footage without needing to know anything about color grading and still deliver great results. And you have a great starting point for a more creative color grade.
