WORKING WITH LUTS

Some Best Practices and Suggestions

LUTs can definitely streamline the color correction and grading process by quickly and easily creating complex looks without being a professional colorist. However, there are some things to keep in mind when working with them and LOG footage.

Production & Post

VIDEO NOISE

Shooting in LOG can add a cinematic look to the footage, but make sure to use the lowest ISO possible otherwise it can get noisy, especially in low light (but FiLMiC Pro LogV2 or LogV3 are much better now). If there is noise be sure to denoise it before you apply any LUT.

Every Shot is Different

COLOR GRADING

Applying LUTs to footage is typically not going to make it instantly look great. There will be times that it does, but only if everything was shot with perfect exposure and white balance, which is not always the case. So applying a LUT is a great starting point that then gets finessed.

Easily Add Style

CREATIVE LOOKS

LUTs are just not for "correcting" LOG to a normal Rec 709 look - they are also great for creating stylized, cinematic looks. For example, a vintage 1960s vibe or maybe a big Hollywood orange & teal look. LUTs are a great way to experiment and help tell your story.