Step-by-step Guide: Applying LUTs in Adobe Premiere Pro

In the world of video editing and color grading, Look-Up Tables (LUTs) are indispensable tools for achieving a desired aesthetic or matching the color grading across different scenes. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to apply LUTs in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Step 1: Importing Your Footage into Premiere Pro

Before you can apply any LUTs, you need to import your video footage into Premiere Pro. You can do this by clicking ‘File’ > ‘Import’, or by dragging and dropping the files into your project panel.

Step 2: Applying the LUT

Once your footage is ready in the timeline, navigate to the ‘Color’ workspace at the top of the screen, or by selecting ‘Window’ > ‘Workspaces’ > ‘Color’.

This will open the Lumetri Color panel on the right side of the screen. Here, you can apply LUTs either under the ‘Basic Correction’ or ‘Creative’ tab.

Step 3: Basic Correction vs. Creative

In ‘Basic Correction’, you can find the ‘Input LUT’ dropdown menu, where you can import LUTs. This is typically where you’ll import a LUT to convert log footage to Rec. 709 color space.

Under the ‘Creative’ tab, you have more freedom to experiment with the look of your footage. Here you can apply a variety of creative LUTs to achieve a desired mood or style.

Step 4: Importing the LUT

Whether under ‘Basic Correction’ or ‘Creative’, click on ‘Browse’ in the LUT section to locate the LUT file you wish to apply. It’s essential to remember that the LUT file must be in .cube format. Select the LUT and click ‘Open’ to apply it to your footage.

Step 5: Adjusting the LUT

After you’ve applied the LUT, you can adjust its intensity to better fit your footage. This is done by manipulating the ‘Intensity’ slider under the ‘Creative’ tab in the Lumetri Color panel.

Step 6: Fine-tuning Your Footage

Applying a LUT is typically the first step in color grading your footage. You’ll still want to make additional adjustments to other parameters such as exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, saturation, and more. You can make these adjustments in the Lumetri Color panel.

Using LUTs can significantly speed up your color grading process in Adobe Premiere Pro, giving your footage a consistent look across different scenes. By understanding how to properly apply and adjust LUTs, you’ll be one step closer to mastering the art of color grading in your video projects.