Overview
For the uninitiated, a LUT (Look Up Table) refers to an algorithm which changes the colors of digital video. LUTs are a quick and easy way to correctly display “flat” footage, exporting your video to print to film stock, or to give your video a uniform style. The following guide will show you how to do this in Premiere.
Using LUTs in Premiere Pro
Apply Lumetri Color Effect
In the Effects panel, find the Lumetri Color effect under Video Effects>Color Correction. Apply it to your video clip(s) or make a new adjustment layer.
Premiere uses two terms when referring to LUTs: Input LUT and Look. It’s important to know which is which, so here’s the breakdown:
- Input LUT: An Input LUT tells Premiere to interpret footage in a certain way. Typically, an Input LUT will be applied to raw footage in order to display the correct colors. This may happen automatically when you import footage into Premiere, but you can change the settings at any time.
- Look: A Look LUT is designed to change the color and style of a clip. For example, if you wanted to give your footage the classic 90s “Matrix” look, you might select a high-contrast, desaturated, and greenish Look/LUT.
Select A LUT
This next step depends on what LUT/Look you want your footage to have. All computers in the DPL have access to a LUT Library, located in Macintosh HD>Users>Shared>LUT Library.
- Input LUT: To display footage in the correct color space, navigate to the Basic Correction tab within the Lumetri Color Effect. Toggle the pulldown menu next to Input LUT, and select from any of Premiere’s stored presets. You may also select Browse and navigate to your LUT of choice on your computer.
Look: To stylize your footage, navigate to the Creative tab within the Lumetri Color Effect. Toggle the pulldown menu next to Look, and select from any of Premiere’s stored presets. You may also select Browse and navigate to your LUT of choice on your computer.
Accessing Source Settings for RAW Footage
Changing RAW Back to LOG
Sometimes Premiere’s automatic settings may not be what you’re looking for. To change RAW footage back to LOG, double click the Master Clip in the Project Panel. Navigate to the Effects Control tab and under Video Effects, switch the Color Space to your desired setting.
Sony F5
For Sony footage, Premiere only seems to give the options of Rec709, S-log2, and S-log3. If you shot in Slog3Cine, for example, select S-log3. You may also download the F5 Slog3Cine LUT here:
Applying A Custom LUT
To apply a custom .cube LUT, apply the Lumetri Color effect to the Master Clip. In the Effect Control Panel, navigate to the Basic Correction tap, toggle the pulldown menu next to Input LUT and select Custom.