Introduction
Are you tired of your videos looking dull and lifeless? Do you want to give your footage a professional, cinematic look? Look no further than LUTs! LUTs, or Look Up Tables, are presets that can be applied to your footage to instantly transform the look and feel. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding LUTs to Premiere Pro, the industry-leading video editing software.
What are LUTs?
Before we dive into how to add LUTs to Premiere Pro, let’s first understand what LUTs are. As mentioned earlier, LUTs are Look Up Tables that can be applied to your footage to change the color grading. They are essentially a set of instructions that tell your editing software how to adjust the colors in your footage. LUTs are commonly used in the film industry to achieve a specific look or to match footage from different cameras.
Where to find LUTs?
There are many places to find LUTs online, both free and paid. Some popular websites include Lutify.me, RocketStock, and FilmConvert. You can also create your own LUTs using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. It’s important to note that not all LUTs are created equal, so it’s best to do your research and find ones that suit your specific needs.
Adding LUTs to Premiere Pro
Now that we have a basic understanding of LUTs, let’s get into how to add them to Premiere Pro. The process is actually quite simple. Step 1: Import your footage into Premiere Pro. Step 2: Go to the Lumetri Color panel by selecting the clip and then clicking on the Color tab. Step 3: In the Lumetri Color panel, there is a drop-down menu labeled “Look.” Click on this menu and select “Browse.” Step 4: Navigate to where you have saved your LUTs and select the one you want to use. Step 5: The LUT will be applied to your footage. You can adjust the intensity of the LUT by using the “Intensity” slider in the Lumetri Color panel.
Creating and Saving Your Own LUTs
If you can’t find a LUT that suits your needs, you can create your own! This is a great option if you have a specific look in mind or if you want to match footage from different cameras. Step 1: Open your footage in Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Step 2: Make any adjustments to the color grading that you want. Step 3: Export the adjustments as a LUT file. Step 4: Import the LUT file into Premiere Pro using the same process as above. Step 5: Save the LUT for future use by right-clicking on the LUT in the Lumetri Color panel and selecting “Save Preset.”
Tips for Using LUTs
While LUTs can be a powerful tool for color grading, there are some things to keep in mind when using them. Tip 1: Use LUTs as a starting point. While LUTs can give you a great look, they are not one-size-fits-all. You may need to make additional adjustments to get the exact look you want. Tip 2: Be mindful of skin tones. Some LUTs can make skin tones look unnatural or overly saturated. Make sure to adjust the LUT to avoid this issue. Tip 3: Use LUTs consistently. If you’re working on a project with multiple clips, make sure to use the same LUT or set of LUTs to ensure consistency throughout the video.
Conclusion
Adding LUTs to Premiere Pro is a simple and effective way to give your footage a professional, cinematic look. Whether you’re using a pre-made LUT or creating your own, LUTs are a powerful tool for color grading. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll soon be on your way to creating stunning, visually appealing videos.