Waveform

A waveform monitor is one of the essential scopes used in video color work. It displays the luminance (brightness) values of the image as a graph, where the horizontal axis corresponds to the horizontal position in the frame (left to right) and the vertical axis represents brightness from pure black (0%) at the bottom to pure white (100%) at the top. By reading the waveform, a colorist can precisely assess exposure levels without relying solely on the subjective perception of their monitor.

Waveform monitors reveal information that is impossible to judge by eye alone. They show whether highlights are clipping (exceeding 100%, losing detail in bright areas), whether shadows are crushed (dropping below 0%, losing detail in dark areas), and how much contrast range the image uses. For consistent, professional results, colorists use waveforms to ensure that skin tones fall within accepted brightness ranges, that no information is being clipped, and that the overall exposure matches across different shots in a sequence.

Understanding waveforms helps in evaluating color grading quality. If a colorist shows you a waveform alongside their grade, you can see that the image uses the full dynamic range without clipping, that the exposure is balanced, and that the grade has been applied with technical precision. Waveforms are particularly important for broadcast delivery, where strict technical standards govern acceptable brightness levels and exceeding them can cause rejection by quality control.