Understanding Look Up Tables (for color correction)
The very first batch of 20 Insights that Mixing Light launched with in 2013 contained a video about LUTs. In the years that follow we continue demonstrating and refining our LUT workflows. These Insights teach you about the purpose of LUTs, the different types, and how to work with them for greatest effect.
What is a LUT (and how do you use a LUT for color correction)?
Look-up Tables are mathematically precise. Understanding LUTs requires you to accept that a single LUT can NEVER be used for all your shots.
4 Things To Know About Working With Look Up Tables
Using Luts in a color correction workflow is common, but everything doesn't always worked as planned. Learn 4 ways to work around look up table limitations
Color Correcting with LUTs: The 3-Node Approach
Learn a node structure for using LUTs in DaVinci Resolve (and the reasoning behind it). Segmenting your workflow into clear distinct actions speeds you up.
What Are the Limitations of LUTs When Color Correcting in 32-bit Float?
When using Look-Up Tables you've got be careful with LUTs and 32-bit Float... otherwise you may end up clipping out valuable image detail. Learn why.
Digging Deeper with Look Up Tables
Why We Love LUTs and How To Replace Your LUT Addiction
Most of us love to use LUTs behind closed doors. Dan shares his thoughts on why and how to break out of needing LUTs
The Case For Completely Avoiding LUTs (And Going DIY)
You shouldn't be a slave to LUTs... learn how to quickly decide if they're working. And if not, learn to throw away those LUTs and just 'Do It Yourself'.
1D Vs 3D LUTs - The Colorists Prespective
Look Up Tables can be complex subject. In this Insight get a colorists perspective on the difference between 1D and 3D LUTs.
Is Your LUT Damaging Your Image? How To Do A LUT Stress Test
Look-Up Tables (LUTs) are black boxes that make it difficult to know what precisely they're doing to your image. Colorist Jason Bowdach shows you how to stress test and evaluate your LUTs.
How To ‘Trace’ a LUT’s Contrast Curve By Hand
Learn how to use Layer Mixer nodes to recreate a LUT's contrast curve for further creative manipulation in Part 6 of the Visual Math series.
Extracting Only The Hue Or Saturation of a LUT using DaVinci Resolve
Learn how to extract the hue and/or saturation shifts of a 3D LUT, without getting stuck with the LUT's accompanying contrast adjustment.
Why Are Film Print Emulation LUTs Special (and how to use them)?
In this new series, build the foundation to evaluate & implement ANY Film Print Emulation (FPE) - with the Kodak 2382 film stock as baseline.
Comparing ARRI’s LogC4 LUTs To Resolve Color Management
Learn to customize the built-in color management workflow of Resolve with quality external LUTs. This series begins with ARRI's LogC4 LUT.
Related Flight Paths & External Resoures
Flight Path: Using LUTs in DaVinci Resolve
This Flight Path guides you through Insights in our Color Library related to working with LUTs in DaVinci Resolve. Plus, specific workflows and how LUTs are used in the context of DaVinci Resolve.
Flight Path: Using LUTs in Adobe Creative Cloud
This Flight Path guides you through Insights in our Color Library related to working with LUTs in Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Lightroom.
Technical Description: Look Up Tables
If you're looking for math and more technical descriptions of LUTs, this is a great place to start.
What Is A LUT? Explained with cats.
A seller of commercial LUTs put together this fun video - that does a good job explaining the very basics... without any math. Just - cats.
TrueColor: LUT Stress Test Image
An excellent image for applying your LUTs to evaluate how cleanly a LUT modifies your image.
3D LUT Creator: Gradients and Targets for Experiments
A terrific set of test images that help you visualize how your LUTs are manipulating your images.
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