Adobe Color Mode Workflow in Adobe Premiere

"Fix it in post" is only funny until you're staring at mismatched shots, bad white balance, and exposure that won't cooperate. The good news: Adobe Premiere includes powerful color tools — if you understand what to adjust, in what order, and why.

In this deep-dive session, Rich Harrington walks through a professional color correction workflow — from getting shots back to a clean, natural baseline (neutral color, accurate exposure, consistent skin tones) to pushing the image creatively without introducing artifacts or inconsistency. You'll learn how to read scopes with confidence, use built-in shot matching and side-by-side reference tools to align exposure and color across an edit, and make corrections that stay organized and repeatable. The session covers the new Color Mode introduced in Premiere 26 alongside the familiar Lumetri Color panel, so the techniques apply whether you've upgraded or are still working in an earlier version.

Along the way, Rich tackles common real-world problems — overexposed highlights, underexposed faces, mixed lighting, and stubborn color casts — plus finishing touches like split toning and subtle vignettes that guide the viewer's eye. Whether you're new to color work or refining an existing process, you'll leave with a clear, repeatable approach you can apply to your next project.

• Scopes made simple: using the Waveform, Vectorscope, and RGB Parade to guide decisions
• White balance fixes: removing color casts quickly and predictably
• Exposure and tone control: setting blacks, whites, and midtones with intent
• Saturation recovery: restoring natural color without "crispy" skin tones
• Reliable shot matching: using side-by-side references and matching tools for consistency
• Save and reuse looks: presets, saved corrections, and smart versioning
• Creative enhancements: split toning and controlled stylized looks
• Curves that matter: RGB Curves and Hue/Saturation Curves for precision control
• Secondary correction: isolating and adjusting specific colors (skin, skies, products)
• Keyframing color: adapting when lighting shifts within a shot
• Rescue strategies: practical fixes for overexposed and underexposed footage
• Finishing polish: subtle vignettes and borders that direct attention