If you're a content creator and want to learn how to get that nice-looking movie-like video, you should know that there are different ways how you can do this. You can either hire someone or learn the process yourself (it's easy!). The easiest way to get started is by using a LUT. All you need to do is download the LUT and apply it to your footage and you will instantly see what it will look like with the chosen LUT. If you’ve never used LUTs before, then this blog post is going to be your first step into the world of color grading. In this article, we’ll talk about what they are, how they work, and their benefits.
What is a LUT?
A LUT is a Look Up Table, which is basically a preset filter to achieve specific visuals or look at your footage. They come in different color combinations that will be suitable in various scenes or genres. LUTs are considered a life-saver and shortcut for every video editor doing rush projects. These color presets will be able to cut off the time intended to manually color grade and manipulate colors since LUTs will be instantly applying color to each scene.
LUTs are also used by professional cinematographers for their cinematography work in movies and television shows. But LUTs can cause headaches, too. If you’re not familiar with them, or if you’re a beginner colorist, you might spend more time than necessary matching each clip to a particular LUT.
How to use LUTs?
Luckily, LUTs don't have to be used only in editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects. Pretty much anyone with a mobile device can use them with some free apps from the app store. Even if you're new to LUTs, there are easy ways to get started. After downloading your LUTs to your devices, simply add it to any editing software you are using that supports .cube files and apply it to your video.
For a step-by-step guide, you can check ourFAQ page here.
Benefits of using LUTs:
Beginner Friendly
LUTs can help you get the look you want in less time. Whether you are just starting out and want to figure out your style or want a quick way to achieve cinematic looks without going crazy or broke, LUTs are there for you.
Easily Accessible
You can find tons of color grading presets at our store, and they come in .cube files and are ready for download. You can easily search for them here, and you will automatically see various options to choose from. Our color grading artist has created these LUTs so you won't have to do too much editing, and you can focus more on creating.
Save Time With A Click
Think about it...If you have to mix and match clips, compare their colors and the color of your footage, and make sure they match, how much time will it take you? Color grading is a necessary part of the post-production process. But sometimes, it feels like you're evaluating every single clip to make sure they all look the same. With LUTs, you can create a unique look that will apply to all your clips with just one click!
Get A Preview
Have a look at each particular LUT to get an idea of what your shot would look like with that particular LUT applied. Creative directors, professional filmmakers, and other professionals make use of LUTs to preview different looks before choosing which one they want to use during the post-production process for the overall vibe and look of their film. This method makes color grading much more efficient and less time-consuming.
Over the years, color correction has evolved into a somewhat complex process with various techniques and post-processing tools. We live in a world of shortcuts, so it should come as no surprise that someone eventually created a shortcut for this seemingly complex process. That's where LUTs come in. LUTs (short for Lookup Tables) can be regarded as a more accessible option for color grading. They are simply small files that you apply to your shots and it will instantly change the overall look of your footage by adjusting the colors. They are beginner-friendly, easily accessible, can save you so much time, and can also give you a preview of the kind of vibe you want your videos to have.