Halation

Getting started · Halation

Give your next clip a film look.

Choose a look for your clip, adjust its strength, and compare it with the original as it plays. Halation uses the same colour controls for photos and video, entirely on your device. Start with a short standard-range clip.

Vancouver harbour with the Nocturne look The same photograph before Halation grading OriginalNocturne
Still-photo demonstration of Nocturne, not a video export. Video uses the same colour controls; moving grain and compression can change its texture. Photo credits.

Choose your own video

Want to see the colour first? Try Nocturne on this still photo.

Grade a clip in four steps

  1. Open a standard-range clip. Choose a photo or video on the homepage and select an MP4, MOV or WebM file. Nothing is uploaded. If your phone recorded HDR, convert it to SDR in another editor first.
  2. Pick and adjust a look. Try Cinematic for cooler shadows, Golden for warmth, or Nocturne for city lights. Lower Look intensity for a subtler result. Exposure and Temperature are good next adjustments.
  3. Compare while watching. Use the playback button to pause or play, and the timeline to inspect another moment. Drag across the frame or hold B to compare. In Film, keep Grain restrained if a smaller export matters.
  4. Export to your device. Choose Source, 1080p or 720p and Standard or High quality, then Export video. Check the estimated size first. Cancel stops the export without changing the original clip.

What is saved?

Halation normally exports MP4. When only a WebM-compatible encoder is available, it saves WebM instead. Audio is retained when supported by the output format, but may be re-encoded. You can also pause on a moment and choose Save this frame to save a graded JPEG.

Before you start

Inputs are MP4, M4V, MOV or WebM, up to 2 GB. The browser must be able to decode the codec inside the file: a .mov extension alone does not guarantee playback. Video dimensions must fit the device's graphics limit.

Export needs WebCodecs and a suitable encoder. Halation checks the browser's capabilities and explains when export is unavailable; preview and saving a frame may still work. Try a current Chrome, Edge or Safari if export is unavailable in your browser.

HDR export is not supported. Convert HDR, Dolby Vision or HLG footage to standard range first. Outputs are assembled in memory, and estimated exports over 1.5 GB are refused. A short clip is the best first test; choosing 720p can reduce the memory and time needed. Halation does not trim clips or edit audio.

Understand the controls

Read about Cinematic's teal and orange palette, the glow around highlights, and diffusion. For still images, use the film-look photo guide.