Studio 21.1.1
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COLOR FOUNDATIONS

How to create a black-and-white grade

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Black and white removes color but still needs tonal separation. Skin, clothing, and background can become similar gray values even when their original colors differ.

Before you begin

Open Color, select the intended clip, and confirm the project color pipeline.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Primaries: color wheels and shared correction controls
Primaries: color wheels and shared correction controls Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 3142. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Start with a balanced image and a separate node for the monochrome treatment.
  2. Reduce Saturation to zero for a straightforward conversion, or use the RGB Mixer’s monochrome controls when you need channel-based tonal shaping.
  3. Adjust contrast and tonal placement so the subject separates from the background. Watch highlights and texture rather than judging only overall darkness.
  4. Play the shot and compare neighboring images for a consistent monochrome style. Check noise and banding in smooth areas.

Check your result

The subject remains distinct and the grayscale image has intentional depth and readable detail.

If it doesn’t work as expected

Extreme channel weighting can amplify noise or make skin unnaturally dark. Compare at full resolution before applying the same treatment across the scene.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Color: train your eye

Go deeper with the course’s explanations, exercises, and knowledge checks.

Open module 06 →
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Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.