Unlock Professional Looks with LUTs for Color Grading

Whether you're working on a short film, a YouTube vlog, or a promotional video, the appearance of your footage can affect how your audience feels. One popular way to achieve great visuals is through color grading LUTs. They completely transform your videos by changing their colors and tones.

In this article, we'll explain what LUTs are, how they work, and some of the best resources for LUTs to elevate your video projects.

What are LUTs for color grading

LUTs, also known as Look-Up Tables, are preset settings that help adjust the colors and tones in your videos. They work by taking the colors in your footage and changing them to reflect a specific style or mood. Color grading with LUTs makes it quicker and easier to achieve a professional look. Filmmakers and content creators find LUTs popular because they save time and enhance visual storytelling.

Types of LUT

When it comes to color grading, different types of LUTs have specific purposes. Each type is designed to achieve particular effects or corrections in your footage. Knowing these types lets you choose the right one for your project. Here are some common types of LUTs:

• Creative LUTs
• Creative LUTs give your footage a unique and artistic look by adding dramatic color shifts or effects. They help to match the story you're telling by making your footage look warmer or cooler. Filmmakers often use them to experiment with different styles and give their videos a unique touch.
• Technical LUTs
• Technical LUTs are designed to fix specific issues in your footage, like color balance or exposure. They make sure that the colors in your video are accurate and consistent. For example, if your footage looks too yellow or blue, a technical LUT can help adjust those colors to look more natural.
• Film emulation LUTs
• Film emulation LUTs mimic the look of traditional film stocks, giving your digital footage a classic, cinematic feel. They add grain, contrast, and color characteristics to specific film types, enabling you to recreate the warmth and richness associated with film photography.
• Color correction LUTs
• Color correction LUTs adjust the color balance and exposure to ensure the footage looks its best. For instance, if your video has parts that are too dark or too bright, color correction LUTs can help even things out to get a polished and professional edit.
• Vintage LUTs
• Vintage LUTs give your footage an old-school or retro look, often using faded colors and soft contrasts. They can make your video feel nostalgic as if it was shot decades ago. They are perfect for projects that aim to evoke memories or tell stories set in the past.

How filmmakers use LUTs

Filmmakers use LUTs to enhance their storytelling by adjusting the visual style of their projects. By using different types of LUTs during the color grading process, they can create specific moods, highlight important elements, and ensure consistency across scenes. Here are some ways filmmakers utilize LUTs:

• Establishing mood
• Filmmakers choose LUTs that align with the emotional tone of their scenes. For example, a dark, moody LUT might be used for a suspenseful thriller, while a bright and vibrant LUT can enhance a joyful or romantic scene.
• Creating a signature style
• Many filmmakers develop a unique visual style by consistently using specific LUTs across their projects. This helps brand their work and provides a recognizable aesthetic that audiences can associate with their films.
• Matching different footage
• When combining clips from various sources, filmmakers use LUTs to ensure consistent colors and tones. This helps maintain a seamless look throughout the video, even if the footage was shot under different lighting conditions.
• Emulating film stock
• To achieve the classic look of traditional movies, filmmakers often apply film emulation LUTs. This adds grain and specific color characteristics that mimic popular film stocks, providing a nostalgic feel to their digital footage.
• Speeding up the editing process
• Using LUTs enables filmmakers to quickly achieve a desired look without spending hours on manual adjustments. By applying a LUT, they can make significant color corrections in just a few clicks, streamlining the post-production workflow.

5 sources to download LUTs for color grading

Finding the right LUTs for color grading can enhance your video projects by providing a professional touch. With various online resources, filmmakers can easily access various LUTs according to their needs. Here are the top 5 sources to download LUTs for color grading:

1. Motion Array

Motion Array is a platform for professionals, providing templates, plugins, and high-quality LUTs for video projects. Users can easily find free color-grading LUTs that fit their needs, whether a vibrant look or a darker tone. The site is updated regularly with fresh content, helping filmmakers stay up-to-date with color grading choices.



2. RocketStock

RocketStock focuses on providing a carefully chosen collection of cinematic color-grading LUTs for professional use. Each LUT pack is created to enhance specific styles and moods, making it easy for filmmakers to find the perfect look for their projects. With instant download options and clear previews, RocketStock simplifies the process of applying impressive looks to your footage.



3. Color Grading Central

The free Color Grading Central LUTs enable users to apply the latest and stunning effects to their videos. It focuses entirely on LUTs and color grading education. The platform offers both free and premium LUTs for different styles and looks. In addition to LUT downloads, users can access tutorials to improve their color grading skills and achieve professional results.



4. Shutterstock

Shutterstock has a large stock media collection that provides free color-grading LUTs for filmmakers. It has a wide variety of LUTs to improve video quality, making it a valuable resource for creators looking to enhance their projects without spending much money. Users can easily search for the right LUT due to the platform's user-friendly search function.



5. Envato

Envato is a popular marketplace offering various creative assets, including color-grading LUTs. It provides LUTs for different styles and themes, which makes it easier for filmmakers to find what they need. Moreover, you can share insights and ideas in its community-driven environment. Envato is great for people who want to connect with other creatives for inspiration and collaboration.



How to apply dynamic LUTs to videos: CapCut desktop video editor

CapCut desktop video editor is a user-friendly tool for beginners and experienced editors. It enables you to effortlessly create and edit videos with various features, including the ability to apply dynamic LUTs for color grading. With an easy-to-use interface, CapCut makes enhancing your footage and achieving professional-looking results simple.



Add LUTs to a video with the CapCut desktop video editor

To add LUTs to a video using the CapCut desktop video editor, first download the software. To do so, click the "Download" button and instantly download the installer. Once downloaded, open the program and add LUTs to enhance your videos easily.

Step
1. Import the video
2. Launch the CapCut desktop video editor and create a "Create project." Click on "Import" to select the video from your computer and drag and drop it on the timeline to begin editing.
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Step
4. Add and edit custom LUTs
5. To add a custom LUT, go to the "Adjustment" panel and select the option to import a LUT file. You can upload either a 3DL or a CUBE LUT file. After adding the LUT, you can adjust its intensity using the slider to find the perfect balance for your video. Additionally, you can use other video enhancement tools like brightness, contrast, and saturation to refine the look further. This helps achieve a specific mood or style, making your video visually appealing and engaging.
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Step
7. Export and share
8. Once satisfied with your edits, click on the "Export," choose the desired format and resolution, and hit the "Export" button again to save the video to your PC. Finally, share it across social media platforms.
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Key features

Here are the key features of the CapCut desktop video editor that enhance your video editing experience:

• Instant LUT application
• Quickly apply LUTs to the videos, enabling immediate color grading and visual style enhancement without complex adjustments.
• Custom LUT import
• Allows users to import their own LUT files, providing the flexibility to achieve professional film editing tailored to specific projects.
• Adjustable LUT intensity
• Easily modify the intensity of applied LUTs with the slider, ensuring that the effect complements the footage perfectly.
• Customizable filters and effects
• Provides a variety of filters and effects that can be adjusted to fit the user's vision. This versatility allows for creative expression and unique storytelling.
• 4K quality exports
• Export videos in stunning 4K resolution, ensuring your content looks sharp and high-quality across all platforms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using color-grading LUTs is the best way to dramatically enhance the visual appeal of your videos. With different types of LUTs, you can achieve various looks and moods that fit your storytelling style. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced editor, understanding how to apply and adjust LUTs can elevate your projects significantly.

For an easy and effective way to use LUTs, consider the CapCut desktop video editor. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, CapCut makes it simple to apply dynamic LUTs and create stunning videos effortlessly.

FAQs

1. Where can I download LUTs for color grading?
2. You can download LUTs for color grading from various online resources like Motion Array, RocketStock, and Color Grading Central. Many sites offer both free and premium LUTs to suit different needs. Always check for compatibility with your editing software. For easy application of LUTs, try using the CapCut desktop video editor, which supports various LUT formats seamlessly.
3. What are the main components of LUT?
4. The main components of a LUT include color values, gamma adjustments, and contrast levels, which define how colors are mapped from the original footage to the final output. These components work together to create a specific look or mood. The CapCut desktop video editor lets you easily adjust these settings for optimal results.
5. What is the best LUT for color grading?
6. The best LUT for color grading varies depending on your video's desired style and mood. Popular choices include cinematic LUTs for a film look or creative LUTs for vibrant colors. It's essential to experiment with different LUTs to see which fits your project best. The CapCut desktop video editor makes it simple to test various LUTs and find the perfect match for your footage.