LUTs are a powerful tool in the world of photo and video editing, helping creators achieve stunning color grades with ease.
Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or social media content creator, LUTs can streamline your workflow and give your visuals a professional, cinematic look.
But what exactly are LUTs, and how do they work?
If you’re new to color grading, this guide will break it all down, from understanding what LUTs do to learning how to apply them to your photos and videos.
Let’s dive in.
What Is a LUT?
A LUT, or Look-Up Table, is a preset that adjusts the colors and tones of an image or video. Think of it as a filter that applies a specific color grading style to your footage or photos.
LUTs modify contrast, brightness, and color balance in a precise way, giving your content a consistent and professional appearance.
LUTs are commonly used in video editing, but they are also valuable for photographers who want to create a cohesive look across their work.
They are widely used in filmmaking, advertising, and content creation to speed up the editing process while maintaining high-quality visuals.
Types of LUTs
There are different types of LUTs, each serving a unique purpose. Understanding these variations will help you use LUTs effectively in your projects.
1. Conversion LUTs
Conversion LUTs help transform footage from a specific camera format (such as Log footage) into a standard color profile.
Many professional cameras shoot in Log mode, which captures a flat, low-contrast image that needs color correction. A conversion LUT adjusts this to look natural and vibrant.
2. Creative LUTs
Creative LUTs are used to apply a particular style or mood to your visuals. They can make footage look warmer, cooler, more cinematic, or stylized like a specific film look.
These LUTs are popular in video production and photography for achieving a distinct aesthetic.
3. Monitor Calibration LUTs
These LUTs are used to calibrate screens and ensure that colors appear accurately across different monitors.
They are mainly used in professional color grading environments where color accuracy is crucial.
How to Use LUTs in Video Editing
(The Grand Budapest Hotel/ Directed by Wes Anderson)
Applying LUTs to your video footage is a straightforward process, whether you’re using software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
Here’s how to do it:
- Import your footage into your editing software and place it on the timeline.
- Adjust your footage if needed – If you’re working with Log footage, apply a conversion LUT first to bring out the natural colors.
- Apply a creative LUT – Most video editing programs have a “LUT” or “Color” panel where you can load a LUT from your saved presets.
- Fine-tune the effect – Adjust exposure, contrast, and saturation to match the LUT with your footage for a natural look.
- Export your final project once you’re satisfied with the color grading.
How to Use LUTs in Photo Editing
Although LUTs are more commonly associated with video, they can also enhance photos in programs like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
Here’s how:
- Open your photo in Photoshop or Lightroom.
- In Photoshop, go to Adjustment Layers and select Color Lookup to load a LUT.
- In Lightroom, import a LUT as a preset and apply it to your image.
- Adjust the intensity using opacity settings or by tweaking exposure, highlights, and shadows.
- Save your final image with the new color grading applied.
Best Websites for Finding High-Quality LUTs
LUTs can dramatically enhance your videos and photos, helping you achieve a polished, cinematic look with just a few clicks.
Below are five of the best websites where you can find high-quality LUTs for your editing projects.
1. Envato Elements
Envato Elements is a top choice for professional-quality LUTs. With a subscription, you get unlimited downloads of LUT packs covering a wide range of styles, from cinematic color grades to vibrant and moody tones.
The platform also offers stock footage, motion graphics, and design assets, making it a valuable resource for content creators.
2. Motion Array
Motion Array provides a collection of LUTs designed specifically for filmmakers and video editors. It offers both free and premium LUTs, covering categories like cinematic, vintage, and travel aesthetics.
Since the site also includes video templates, sound effects, and plugins, it’s a great all-in-one platform for video professionals.
3. Color Grading Central
For those who want high-end, film-inspired LUTs, Color Grading Central is a go-to destination. This site features professional LUT packs designed to work with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
It also offers tutorials and color grading courses, making it a great resource for learning how to master color correction.
4. Lutify.me
Lutify.me specializes in cinematic LUTs tailored for filmmakers, photographers, and content creators. The site offers a subscription-based model, providing access to a growing library of LUTs with support for various color spaces, including Rec.709 and Log formats.
The LUTs are highly customizable, making them ideal for both professionals and beginners.
10 Tips for Using LUTs Effectively
LUTs can significantly enhance your workflow, but to get the best results, they should be applied thoughtfully.
1. Use LUTs as a Starting Point
LUTs are not meant to be one-click fixes but rather a foundation for color grading. After applying a LUT, fine-tune exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows to match the unique characteristics of your footage or photo.
Lighting conditions, camera settings, and white balance can all affect how a LUT interacts with an image, so always make manual adjustments after applying one.
2. Avoid Overuse for a Natural Look
Applying a LUT at full intensity can sometimes result in an overly dramatic or unrealistic effect. If the colors appear too harsh, reduce the opacity or strength of the LUT.
Many editing programs allow you to blend the LUT with the original footage, helping to achieve a more subtle and natural look. The goal is to enhance the image while maintaining a professional and realistic appearance.
3. Experiment with Different LUTs for Different Moods
Not all LUTs work for every type of footage. Some LUTs are designed for bright outdoor scenes, while others enhance indoor or low-light shots.
Try different LUTs to see how they affect the mood and tone of your visuals. For example:
- Warm, golden LUTs work well for sunset and lifestyle videos.
- Cool-toned LUTs enhance dramatic or cinematic scenes.
- High-contrast LUTs create a bold, impactful look for sports or action content.
- Muted, desaturated LUTs are great for vintage or documentary-style footage.
By testing multiple LUTs on your footage, you’ll develop an eye for what works best in different scenarios.
4. Match LUTs to the Emotion of Your Content
LUTs play a huge role in visual storytelling. The color tone of a scene can influence the viewer’s emotional response.
A warm, orange-tinted LUT can evoke nostalgia and happiness, while a dark, high-contrast LUT can create a sense of mystery or tension.
Before applying a LUT, consider the mood you want to convey and choose accordingly.
5. Adjust Exposure and White Balance First
For the best results, correct your footage’s exposure and white balance before applying a LUT. If a video is underexposed or too warm/cool, the LUT might amplify these issues, leading to unnatural colors.
Properly adjusting these settings ensures that the LUT enhances the image instead of distorting it.
6. Combine Multiple LUTs for Custom Looks
If you like aspects of different LUTs, you can layer them to create a unique effect. Some editing programs allow you to stack LUTs and adjust their opacity individually.
For example, you could use a conversion LUT to correct Log footage, followed by a creative LUT to apply a specific style. Blending multiple LUTs allows for more customization and originality.
7. Save Custom LUT Adjustments as Presets
If you frequently use the same LUTs with specific adjustments, save your settings as a preset in your editing software. This saves time in future projects and ensures a consistent look across all your content.
Presets can be particularly useful for branding, as they help maintain a uniform visual identity across different photos or videos.
8. Consider Skin Tones When Using LUTs
One common issue with LUTs is how they affect skin tones. Some LUTs can make skin appear too orange, pale, or overly saturated.
After applying a LUT, check how skin tones are rendered and make necessary adjustments in the color grading panel. Most professional colorists refine skin tones separately to keep them looking natural while still applying the desired overall grade.
9. Use LUTs on Adjustment Layers
When applying a LUT in software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Photoshop, consider using an adjustment layer instead of applying it directly to the clip or image.
This allows you to tweak the LUT settings separately from the original file, making it easier to fine-tune without permanently altering the footage.
10. Experiment and Develop Your Own LUTs
Once you gain confidence using LUTs, you can create your own custom color grading styles. Many editing programs, such as DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro, allow you to tweak color settings and export them as a LUT for future use.
Custom LUTs help you develop a signature look for your content and speed up your workflow.
In Conclusion
LUTs are an essential tool for both photographers and videographers, offering an easy way to enhance color grading and create stunning visuals.
By understanding the different types of LUTs, learning how to apply them effectively, and fine-tuning them to fit your content, you can take your photo and video editing to the next level.
Experiment with different styles, adjust settings as needed, and find the perfect LUTs to elevate your visual storytelling.