Exploring DaVinci

 Hell'o, Akhil here!!!

Let's get real here, getting into video editing can be intimidating. I was looking at all the heavy-hitting software available and I already felt my wallet crying. All I wanted to do was create awesome videos, but the pro software seemed so far away. That's when I came across something that totally revolutionized things for me: DaVinci Resolve. I was hesitant at first. How could a professional-level software used by Hollywood colorists be free? But I installed it anyway, and it's been the best decision I ever made as a creative professional. It's not only an editing application; it's a full post-production beast. I'm referring to editing, color grading, visual effects, and even audio mixing—all in one application.

Why I Fell in Love with Resolve
The largest reason I'm staying with Resolve is its workflow. Rather than being a mess of windows, it's broken up into these various "pages," and each one of them serves a purpose. It's just a system that makes sense to me.

The Media Page: This is where I begin. I import and sort out all of my footage, audio, and graphics. It's my digital file cabinet, and staying organized here saves me so much grief later.

The Cut Page: For when I only need to rough out an edit in a hurry, this is my choice. It has an extremely streamlined interface and a nifty dual timeline that makes snappy cuts and assembly really easy.

The Edit Page: Where the magic really comes alive for more in-depth work. I spend most of my time here cutting clips down to size, slapping on titles, and tweaking my transitions. It's where I come to get creative.

The Fusion Page: Alright, I'll be honest, this one took some getting used to. It's where you have motion graphics and visual effects. But once I learned the node-based interface, I could make some really incredible things without having to change to another application ever.

The Color Page: This is the center and soul of DaVinci Resolve. The color grading features are amazing. This is where I go to make my videos look professional and cinematic. I've learned so much just through playing with the curves and wheels.

The Fairlight Page: I hated to mix audio, but the Fairlight page makes it so much less daunting. It is a full-fledged audio workstation built right into the program, so I can tidy up my sound and mix my music all in one stop.

The Deliver Page: And then, when I've finished, I come here to send my video out. I get to select all my settings, whether I'm sending for YouTube, Instagram, or else, and it just works.