Color Correction
Introduction
Color correction, or color grading, is a technique often used in cinematography. It is the concept of altering the color balance of a film in post-production, to achieve a desired effect. While color correction used to be achieved with chemicals applied to the film stock, modern technology allows directors/cinematographers to apply color correction digitally. This same digital color correction is also a feature of the Source engine.
Benefits
Color correction is most often used to help set the tone of the film. By tinting towards blue or grey, a feeling of cold or isolation is achieved (such as in Minority Report). Brighter, more saturated colors like red or yellow will have the opposite effect, intensifying emotion (seen in Jet Li's The Hero). Some films use color correction as an attempt to replicate another medium, like comics (Sin City) or old black-and-white era films (Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow).
The same results can occur when you use color correction in a mod or map. You can use color correction to reinforce feelings, draw attention to specific elements, or change the overall look-and-feel of your content.
Usage
At the moment Color correction is available only in the Friends Beta in CS:S. To enable it do the following:
- Video options-->Advanced-->Color Correction Enabled.
- Start a game and set sv_cheats "1".
- Type "colorcorrectionui" into the console.