When you chat with your fellow colorists, how often does the topic turn to “Have you seen X?” Or maybe a podcast about the most recent movie, series, or commercial, who graded it, the look, the consistency… But something that we often miss is water cooler talk about really good reading material.
Not as instantly gratifying as a meme, video, or headline, perhaps, but don’t we owe it to ourselves to take some time to sit back and enjoy a good book? So here are a few from my recommended reading list for colorists. They’re either books I’ve enjoyed or necessary technical references (sometimes both), and suitable for colorists at any level.
Color: A Natural History of the Palette
Author: Victoria Finlay
Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay is a book that will particularly resonate with the history buffs among us. It explores the historical and cultural significance of colors to reveal their often-fascinating origin stories.
Finlay’s book will carry you through time and across continents, as it uncovers how different pigments were discovered, traded, and used in art. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific color, detailing their natural sources, symbolic meanings, and the technological advancements in their production.
“This is a rare and wonderful book-a model of erudition and charm, the writing elegant and precise, and with at least one new and fascinating revelation on every single page. I could not be more enthusiastic.”
Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman
For example, ochre is one of the earliest pigments used by humans, holding particular cultural and historical importance for Aboriginal Australians who continue to use it thousands of years in ceremonies, rock art, and body decoration. As a colorist, you’ll find that Finlay’s work offers valuable insight into the emotional and cultural impacts of our chosen medium.
Understanding the rich history behind each hue will deepen your appreciation of their use in storytelling and enhance your ability to evoke specific moods and atmosphere in your projects. The book also underscores the transformative power of color to convey meaning and emotion—a concept at the heart of all visually compelling and narratively cohesive films.
If It’s Purple, Someone’s Gonna Die: The Power of Color in Visual Storytelling
Author: Patti Bellantoni
This engrossing book explores how filmmakers use color to convey emotion, shape narrative, and influence audience perception. (It’s almost 20 years old, and I’d love to see an updated version.)
Bellantoni unpacks the psychological and emotional impact of different colors in films, offering thoughtful cinematic examples to illustrate these effects. She also explains how directors and cinematographers often use very specific palettes to enhance storytelling and evoke specific audience responses.
As a colorist, this particularly resonates with me, as understanding the symbolic and emotional power of color is a fundamental aspect of the job we all signed up for.
- Red is associated with intensity, passion, and danger—Schindler’s List
- Blue can evoke calm, sadness, or introspection—The Virgin Suicides
- Yellow often represents energy, optimism, or madness—Kill Bill
- Green signifies nature, envy, or corruption—The Matrix
- Purple indicates mystery, magic, or impending death, as the book’s title suggests—The Sixth Sense
Color Correction Handbook: Professional Techniques for Video and Cinema 2nd Edition
Author: Alexis Van Hurkman
Alexis Van Hurkman’s Color Correction Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the art and technique of color correction and grading for video and cinema. As one Amazon reviewer puts it, “The book is soup to nuts incorporating visual and color science, the psychology of perception.”
In it, the author (friend of the blog and author of the DaVinci Resolve Manual) provides theoretical insights and practical technical instructions for achieving professional-quality color correction.
The book is packed with essential information, with topics that include:
- Understanding the role and impact of color correction in video and cinema,
- Mastering the technical tools and software used in the industry,
- Applying color theory to create visually appealing and consistent imagery,
- Developing workflows that enhance efficiency and quality in post-production,
- Learning to solve common color correction problems and avoid pitfalls.
Overall, the Color Correction Handbook is an essential reference for beginners and experienced professionals looking to enhance their skills in color grading. Alexis Van Hurkman is a pillar of our community and his expertise is unparalleled. If you see him online, follow, listen, subscribe, or whatever to learn as much as possible from him. This book is a testament to his knowledge and experience and will undoubtedly enhance your understanding and practice of color correction.
Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color
Authors: Emily Noyes Vanderpoel (Author), Keegan Mills Cooke (Editor), Alan Bruton (Contributor)
The Autochrome (an early color photography process) was invented in the early 20th century and produced commercially by 1907. (Which is another history book I should read. The video below is a great primer.)
The first color TV was in 1953. However, Color Problems was written in 1901 by a female, which, at the time, was remarkable.
Although the book isn’t explicitly about photography, Emily Noyes Vanderpeol details a wide range of techniques and principles that colorists can learn from. It’s a seminal work that’s still extremely relevant, not least because it makes color theory accessible to non-specialists.
The book covers various topics to help readers understand and apply color effectively, including:
1. Fundamentals of Color Theory:
Introduces basic principles such as the color wheel and primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, explaining their relationships.
2. Color Harmony and Contrast:
Discusses combining colors to create harmonious or contrasting effects, offering practical advice for various applications.
3. Psychological and Emotional Impact of Color:
Explores the psychological effects of different colors and their influence on mood and perception.
4. Historical and Cultural Context:
Provides insights into the historical use of color in art and design, with examples from various cultures and periods.
5. Practical Applications:
Offers guidance on applying color theory to everyday tasks such as interior design, fashion, and art, with exercises and examples to help readers develop their skills.
6. Color Charts and Illustrations: (My favorite part)
Includes detailed color charts and illustrations that visually demonstrate the concepts discussed as a practical tool for understanding color relationships.
7. Layperson-Friendly Approach:
Accessible and aimed at those without formal art or color theory training, emphasizing practical knowledge over technical jargon.
Color Problems is a timeless resource that demystifies color theory, making it accessible and practical for a broad audience interested in the effective use of color in various aspects of life. A priceless addition to the colorist’s library.
American Cinematographer Manual
For nerds (like me) who enjoy reading manuals, the American Cinematographer Manual is a must-read. Now in its 11th edition, it remains a definitive resource for professional cinematographers and filmmakers. This cinematography bible covers a wide range of topics that are essential to the art and craft of filmmaking. I think it’s a reference that belongs in every colorist’s collection.
Within its pages, you’ll find topics that include fundamentals of cinematography, digital and film technologies, lighting techniques, and much more. You’ll also find specialty cinematography—like high speed, aerial, and underwater filming—alongside technical standards and protocols, tools and equipment.
All film images contain some dust or handling marks that have to be cleaned up. This process is called dirt fixing or “dustbusting.”
American Cinematographer Manual
And if you’re not entirely on point with jargon like “dustbusting” or “jump and weave,” this book will also serve as a DP to English dictionary. It might not be the prettiest book you’ll pick up this year, but the American Cinematographer Manual continues to serve as an essential guide for anyone involved in the art and technology of filmmaking. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or seasoned professional, you’ll find value in these pages.
