How to Adjust a Single Color in Premiere Pro - QUICK Solution!

If you're anything like me, you've probably spent hours meticulously setting your white balance, tweaking the contrast, and making sure every hue is just right. But what happens when one specific color in your video just doesn't sit well with you? You don't want to mess up the rest of your beautifully color-corrected footage just for that one pesky shade, right? Well, you're in luck.

September 11, 2023
How to Adjust a Single Color in Premiere Pro - QUICK Solution!
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Now, what is secondary color correction? It's a specialized technique that allows you to adjust a specific color in your video without affecting the others. This is done by targeting the color's hue, saturation, and luminance values. Let me break it down:

  • Hue: This is what we commonly refer to as 'color.' It's the attribute that distinguishes red from blue, yellow from green, and so on. In Premiere Pro, you can select the exact hue you want to adjust.
  • Saturation: This is the intensity of the color. A fully saturated color is vivid, while a less saturated color appears more muted. Think of it as the 'volume knob' for color.
  • Luminance: This is the brightness level of the color. You can make the color darker or lighter without affecting its hue or saturation.

Change A Single Color In Adobe Premiere Pro With HSL - Tutorial

First things first, click on the clip you're working on and navigate to the Color Panel. Look for the HSL Secondary panel; it's your gateway to granular color control.

Eyedropper Tool: Grab the eyedropper tool on the far left. This tool allows you to select the specific color you want to adjust. Click on that color within the Program Monitor. For instance, let's say we're focusing on the yolk of an egg in a breakfast scene.

Color/Gray Checkbox: Once you've selected the color, head back to the HSL Secondary menu and tick the checkbox that says "Color/Gray." This isolates the color you've picked and shows it against a gray background. You can also opt for a black background, but in my experience, gray often provides a more neutral point of reference.

Adjusting Sliders: Now, you might notice that the initial selection didn't capture all of the yolk's color. No worries. You can fine-tune this by adjusting the sliders for hue, saturation, and luminance. These sliders allow you to expand or contract the range of color you're affecting.

Eyedropper+ and Eyedropper- Tools: If you need to add more shades of the color, use the eyedropper+ tool. Conversely, if you've captured a color you didn't intend to, use the eyedropper- tool to remove it.

Denoise and Blur: Before moving on, you might notice some 'noise' or grain in your selection. You can smooth this out using the denoise and blur sliders. I'd recommend a conservative approach here; even a 10-15% adjustment can make a significant difference without causing distortion.

Color Wheel: Now, the fun part—actual color correction. You'll find options for a single color wheel or separate wheels for shadows, midtones, and highlights. For this example, let's stick with a single color wheel. I want my yolk to have a richer, more orange hue. So, I'll grab the crosshair in the middle of the wheel and move it towards the orange spectrum.

Final Checks: Uncheck the "Color/Gray" box to see how your adjustments look in the context of the entire image. If you've missed a spot, go back in with the eyedropper+ tool.

Before and After: To see a side-by-side comparison, simply uncheck the box next to HSL Secondary. This toggle is invaluable for ensuring your adjustments are spot-on.

Temperature and Tint Sliders: Lastly, don't forget that you also have the option to adjust the color using the temperature and tint sliders. These are more general adjustments but can be useful for fine-tuning.