How do you match the colors of different clips using LUTs in video editing?

1 What are LUTs?

LUTs stands for Look Up Tables, and they are essentially presets that map the input colors of a video clip to the output colors of a desired style. For example, a LUT can make your footage look more cinematic, vintage, or dramatic by applying a specific color scheme and tone. LUTs can be created by professional colorists, or downloaded from various sources online. You can also make your own LUTs using software like Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve.

2 How to apply LUTs?

To use LUTs in your video editing software, you need to import them into your project and apply them to your clips. Depending on the software, you may have different options to adjust the intensity, opacity, or blending mode of the LUTs. For example, in Premiere Pro, you can use the Lumetri Color panel to browse and apply LUTs, and tweak them using the Basic Correction, Creative, and Color Wheels tabs. You can also use adjustment layers to apply LUTs to multiple clips at once.

3 How to match colors using LUTs?

Using LUTs can help you match the colors of different clips more quickly and easily. However, it is important to do some basic color correction before applying LUTs, to ensure that your clips have a similar exposure, white balance, and contrast. To match colors using LUTs, you can select a reference clip with the desired color style, apply a LUT to it, and then apply the same LUT to the other clips. Compare the two clips side by side, and use the scopes and vectorscope to check the luminance and color values of each clip. Adjust the exposure, white balance, and contrast of the second clip until it matches the reference clip as closely as possible, and repeat the process for the rest of the clips in your sequence.

4 How to customize LUTs?

Sometimes, you may want to modify the LUTs you use, to create a more unique or personalized look for your video. You can do this by using the color grading tools in your video editing software, or by using a dedicated software like Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve. To customize LUTs, you can change the intensity or opacity to make it more subtle or stronger, change the blending mode to create different effects or interactions with the original colors, add or remove contrast, saturation, or color balance to alter its mood or tone, and add or remove color grading effects, such as curves, vignettes, or grain, to enhance its style or texture.

5 How to save and share LUTs?

If you create or customize your own LUTs, you may want to save and share them with others. To do this, you need to export them as files that can be recognized by other software or devices. The most common formats for LUTs are .cube, .lut, or .3dl, and they can vary in size and quality. To save and share LUTs, you can select the clip that has the LUT you want to export in your video editing software, and go to the export settings. Choose a format that supports LUTs, such as .mov, .mp4, or .avi, and select a codec that preserves the color information, such as ProRes or DNxHD. Make sure to check the option to export the LUT as a separate file, and choose a location and name for it. Finally, you can share the LUT file with others, or import it into another software or device that supports LUTs.