As a result, LUT functionality in programs for still editing is getting better every day.

That way it’s a smoother transition for your viewers between scenes and you’re able to maintain a mood throughout your video.Ĭolor grading is, however, also becoming very common in still photos. It’s used to get a cohesive look across multiple clips where the colors don’t originally have a lot of consistency. You may have heard this referred to as color grading.Ĭolor grading is something you’ll hear a lot about in terms of cinema. It tells your editing program how to make specific changes to certain colors to achieve a stylistic effect or apply ongoing color correction. In basic terms, a LUT is a cheat sheet for your image editing device. To say it out loud, rhyme it with “cut”, “but”, or “strut”. We even have a sample pack that’s complete free! LUTs 101: What Are They, Anyway? Then, we’ll walk you through the steps to apply an LUT to a video or photo in 13 common editing programs.Īnd make sure to check out our growing library of premium color grading LUTs! From dramatic film looks, to warm and cool toning, we’ve got you covered with a wide variety of versatile styles. Here, we’ll explain what LUTs are on a basic level and talk about how they work, how you might use them, and where to find a few good ones. What sounds like a complex technique is actually no more complicated than applying presets in Lightroom or actions in Photoshop, once you know what the steps are. Although the inner workings of this process are deeply technical, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s outside your reach. Whether you’re a film buff, professional photographer, or color enthusiast, you’ve probably heard about color grading with LUTs.

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