Flat color profile
Also known as: flat profile, GoPro Flat, flat color
A low-contrast, low-saturation camera profile that keeps more highlight and shadow detail for grading, though footage looks dull until it is edited.
Updated
What it means
Cameras can apply strong contrast and saturation so footage looks vivid straight away, or record a softer, flatter image that leaves decisions for later. A flat color profile does the second. Shadows are lifted, highlights are pulled down and colors are muted, so the file holds more tonal information at both ends.
It sits between a standard profile and a full log profile. It is easier to grade than log, often needing just a contrast and saturation boost, but it holds less dynamic range than true log. GoPro, DJI and other brands each offer their own flat or natural option.
Flat footage is a starting point, not a finished look.
How it works in practice
Use a flat profile when you plan to edit and grade, especially in high-contrast scenes like snow, sunsets and beaches. Expose carefully: flat profiles help, but blown highlights are still lost.
In the edit, a simple S-curve, a saturation increase and a white balance check bring flat footage to life. A creative LUT can speed this up, and the same correction can be applied across all clips from one camera, which saves a lot of time on long trips.
For mixed-camera trips, flat profiles make it easier to match cameras, since each one starts from a neutral base.
What to watch out for
Flat footage that nobody grades looks gray and lifeless. If you share clips directly or want a quick edit, a standard or natural profile is better.
Pushing 8-bit flat footage too hard causes banding in skies and noise in shadows. Flat profiles shine most with 10-bit recording.
Do not apply a log conversion LUT to flat footage. It expects a different curve and produces crushed, oversaturated results. Use grading tools or LUTs designed for your camera flat profile. When in doubt, grade one clip by hand, save the settings and apply them to the rest of the footage from that camera.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip does not apply grades or LUTs, so flat clips stay flat. Grade your footage to a finished look before upload, or record in a standard profile, and the AI builds a vivid highlight.