Color Temperature
Color Temperature is a way to describe how "warm" or "cool" light appears in photos, videos, or films. Think of it like adjusting the mood of an image - warmer colors are more orange/yellow (like sunset), while cooler colors are more blue (like noon daylight). Professionals in color correction and video editing use this concept to make sure the lighting in their work looks natural and consistent, or to create specific moods. It's measured in Kelvin (K), but professionals often simply refer to it as warm, neutral, or cool tones. This is a fundamental skill for color graders, video editors, and cinematographers who need to make sure all scenes in a project match and create the right emotional impact.
Examples in Resumes
Adjusted Color Temperature across multiple scenes to maintain consistency in feature film projects
Mastered Color Temperature correction techniques for wedding videography to ensure natural skin tones
Developed Color Temperature guidelines for a production team of 15 editors
Typical job title: "Color Graders"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Color Graders
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle color temperature matching across multiple cameras in a large project?
Expected Answer: A senior colorist should explain their process for creating consistent looks across different footage sources, mentioning tools they use and their workflow for matching scenes shot at different times of day.
Q: Can you describe a challenging color temperature situation you've handled and how you solved it?
Expected Answer: They should provide a specific example of a complex project, such as matching indoor/outdoor scenes or dealing with mixed lighting, and explain their problem-solving approach.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for correcting mixed lighting situations?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they handle scenes with multiple light sources (like fluorescent and daylight) and their approach to making the scene look natural.
Q: How do you ensure skin tones remain natural when adjusting color temperature?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their method for maintaining realistic skin appearance while making overall color adjustments to footage.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain what color temperature means and how it affects an image?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain in simple terms how color temperature relates to warm and cool tones and its basic impact on the look of footage.
Q: What are the typical color temperature values for common lighting situations?
Expected Answer: Should know basic Kelvin values for common scenarios like daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent lighting, and how to identify them visually.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of color temperature concepts
- Simple white balance corrections
- Working with standard color correction software
- Basic scene matching
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced color correction techniques
- Mixed lighting situation handling
- Multiple camera matching
- Color workflow management
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex color grading projects
- Team leadership and training
- Creating color correction standards
- High-end client management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic color temperature concepts
- No experience with professional color grading software
- Lack of understanding about different lighting conditions
- No knowledge of color management workflows
Related Terms
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