How to Use BMPCC LUTs for Different Shooting Conditions

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC) series is known for its versatility and high-quality footage, making it an excellent choice for filmmakers in various settings. However, to get the most out of BMPCC footage, especially under varying shooting conditions, LUTs (Look-Up Tables) can make a massive difference in achieving consistent, cinematic color grading. Whether you’re filming under bright daylight, low light, or changing indoor lighting, here’s a guide on how to use BMPCC LUTs effectively across different conditions.

1. Shooting in Bright Daylight

Bright daylight can often lead to footage with overly harsh highlights and washed-out colors, especially when there’s direct sunlight involved. To counteract this, you’ll want to choose LUTs that:

•Add Depth to Shadows: Look for LUTs that bring out detail in shadows to balance out harsh highlights.

•Control Highlights: Some LUTs are designed to roll off highlights gradually, helping avoid the “blown-out” look that can come from direct sunlight.

•Enhance Natural Colors: Daylight LUTs often have a slightly warmer color profile to complement skin tones and keep colors vibrant.

Pro Tip: When using a daylight LUT, consider adjusting the exposure settings on your BMPCC before applying it. Slight underexposure can help retain highlight details, which the LUT can then enhance for a balanced look.

2. Filming in Low Light

Low-light environments are challenging because footage can appear grainy, and colors may look muted or muddy. LUTs designed for low-light conditions can help:

•Boost Shadow Details: A low-light LUT can bring out details in shadows without introducing noise.

•Add Subtle Warmth: Cooler tones can appear overly dull in low light. A touch of warmth can improve visibility and enhance skin tones.

•Enhance Contrast: Low-light LUTs often add a gentle contrast to give your footage a more polished, cinematic look, especially useful for nighttime shots.

Pro Tip: When applying a low-light LUT, avoid over-cranking the ISO on your BMPCC, as excessive noise can be hard to manage in post-production. Let the LUT handle most of the contrast and brightness adjustments for you.

3. Capturing Indoor Scenes with Artificial Lighting

Indoor environments typically feature a mix of artificial lighting, which can create unwanted color casts (such as yellow or green tones). LUTs for indoor scenes help to:

•Neutralize Color Casts: Indoor LUTs are often color-corrected to neutralize harsh lighting tones, resulting in natural-looking colors.

•Balance Contrast: Many indoor LUTs add balanced contrast to make up for flatter, softer lighting that’s common indoors.

•Refine Skin Tones: Indoor lighting can make skin tones appear unnatural. Indoor-specific LUTs often have subtle skin tone adjustments to bring out realistic colors.

Pro Tip: Adjust your white balance before applying an indoor LUT. Setting the BMPCC’s white balance to match the lighting (e.g., tungsten or fluorescent) ensures the LUT performs optimally, requiring fewer adjustments later.

4. Dealing with Mixed Lighting Scenarios

Mixed lighting—such as shooting with both natural and artificial light—can produce footage with inconsistent colors and tones. To manage this, mixed-light LUTs are designed to:

•Blend Color Tones: These LUTs are crafted to merge warm and cool tones, minimizing jarring color shifts.

•Balance Exposure Differences: Mixed lighting LUTs often add subtle contrast and highlight control, reducing extreme exposure differences in the footage.

•Create Cohesive Color Grading: Mixed lighting LUTs harmonize diverse light sources, maintaining a consistent look even when lighting changes.

Pro Tip: In mixed lighting scenarios, manual adjustments are sometimes necessary. You may need to tweak color temperature or tint before applying the LUT, as every mixed light setup is unique.

5. Shooting in Overcast or Cloudy Conditions

Cloudy and overcast days can lead to flat footage with muted colors. For this environment, look for LUTs that:

•Enhance Contrast and Color Saturation: Overcast LUTs are designed to add depth and saturation to compensate for the lack of natural light.

•Add Warmth for Mood: A slight warmth can offset the cool, bluish tone common on cloudy days, adding an inviting feel.

•Improve Sky Details: Some overcast-specific LUTs can bring out details in the sky, enhancing the look of cloud layers and avoiding a washed-out appearance.

Pro Tip: Since overcast lighting is soft and even, consider slightly underexposing your footage before applying an overcast LUT. This ensures the LUT will not lose detail in highlights, helping to preserve texture in skies and bright objects.

6. Adjusting BMPCC LUTs for Time-of-Day Variations

Whether shooting at golden hour, midday, or dusk, time-of-day LUTs help you maintain consistency. Here’s a breakdown:

•Golden Hour (Sunrise/Sunset): Golden hour LUTs are warm and enhance natural light tones, emphasizing the natural glow of early morning or late afternoon sunlight.

•Midday: Midday LUTs control harsh highlights and shadows while preserving detail, especially useful when the sun is directly overhead.

•Dusk/Night: Evening LUTs are similar to low-light LUTs but often have cooler tones, enhancing the dark, atmospheric feel typical of evening shots.

Pro Tip: When using time-of-day LUTs, experiment with exposure and white balance settings on your BMPCC to fine-tune the mood. For golden hour, a slightly warmer white balance can emphasize the glow; for dusk, cooler tones can emphasize the ambient lighting.

Final Tips for Using BMPCC LUTs Across Shooting Conditions

•Preview and Test LUTs: Always test your LUTs under actual shooting conditions. Viewing them on a monitor during filming gives you a live preview, allowing you to make on-the-spot adjustments.

•Adjust LUT Intensity: Many LUTs can be too intense if applied at full strength. Experiment with the intensity to find a subtle, natural look, adjusting it as needed for each condition.

•Customize Further in Post: While LUTs offer a great starting point, additional adjustments like fine-tuning contrast, exposure, and color balance can make each scene more cohesive.

Using BMPCC LUTs tailored for specific shooting conditions helps you overcome lighting challenges and consistently achieve a polished, cinematic look. With the right LUTs and adjustments, your BMPCC footage can capture the perfect tone, atmosphere, and style—no matter where or when you’re shooting.