How to Add a LUT in Premiere Pro: A Journey Through the Colorful Rabbit Hole

Color grading is an essential part of video editing, and one of the most powerful tools at your disposal in Adobe Premiere Pro is the Look-Up Table, or LUT. A LUT is essentially a mathematical formula that transforms the colors in your footage, allowing you to achieve a specific look or style. Whether you’re aiming for a cinematic feel, a vintage vibe, or a modern, polished look, LUTs can help you get there. But how exactly do you add a LUT in Premiere Pro? Let’s dive into the process, explore some creative possibilities, and maybe even question the very nature of reality along the way.
Step 1: Import Your Footage
Before you can start applying LUTs, you need to have your footage ready in Premiere Pro. Import your video files into the project panel, and then drag them onto the timeline. Once your footage is in place, you’re ready to start the color grading process.
Step 2: Apply the Lumetri Color Effect
To add a LUT, you’ll need to use the Lumetri Color panel. First, select the clip you want to color grade in the timeline. Then, go to the “Effects” panel and search for “Lumetri Color.” Drag and drop the Lumetri Color effect onto your clip. This will open up the Lumetri Color panel, where you can make adjustments to the color, exposure, and more.
Step 3: Navigate to the Creative Section
In the Lumetri Color panel, you’ll see several sections, including “Basic Correction,” “Creative,” “Curves,” and “Color Wheels & Match.” To apply a LUT, you’ll want to focus on the “Creative” section. Click on the “Creative” tab to expand it.
Step 4: Load Your LUT
In the “Creative” section, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Look.” This is where you can load your LUT. Click on the dropdown menu, and then select “Browse.” This will open up a file browser, allowing you to navigate to the location where your LUTs are stored. LUTs typically come in .cube or .3dl formats. Once you’ve found the LUT you want to use, select it and click “Open.”
Step 5: Adjust the Intensity
After you’ve loaded your LUT, you’ll notice that the “Look” dropdown menu now displays the name of the LUT you’ve chosen. Below the dropdown menu, you’ll see a slider labeled “Intensity.” This slider allows you to control how strongly the LUT is applied to your footage. If you want a subtle effect, you can lower the intensity. If you want a more dramatic transformation, you can increase it. Play around with the slider until you achieve the desired look.
Step 6: Fine-Tune Your Color Grade
While LUTs can give you a great starting point, they’re not always perfect out of the box. You may need to make additional adjustments to get the look you’re after. The Lumetri Color panel offers a wide range of tools for fine-tuning your color grade. You can adjust the exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and more. You can also use the “Curves” and “Color Wheels & Match” sections to make more precise adjustments.
Step 7: Save Your Custom LUT
If you’ve created a color grade that you’re particularly proud of, you can save it as a custom LUT for future use. To do this, go to the “Creative” section of the Lumetri Color panel and click on the “Save Preset” button. This will save your current settings as a .cube file, which you can then load into Premiere Pro or other editing software.
Step 8: Experiment and Explore
The beauty of LUTs is that they allow you to experiment with different looks and styles without having to start from scratch every time. Don’t be afraid to try out different LUTs and see how they transform your footage. You might discover a look that you hadn’t even considered before. And remember, color grading is as much an art as it is a science. Trust your instincts and let your creativity guide you.
Step 9: Question the Nature of Reality
As you delve deeper into the world of color grading, you might start to wonder: what is color, really? Is it just a perception created by our brains, or does it have an objective existence? And if so, how do LUTs fit into this grand cosmic puzzle? These are questions that philosophers and scientists have been grappling with for centuries. While you may not find the answers in Premiere Pro, the act of manipulating color can certainly make you appreciate the complexity and beauty of the visual world.
Step 10: Share Your Work
Once you’ve finished color grading your footage, it’s time to share it with the world. Export your video from Premiere Pro and upload it to your preferred platform. Whether you’re sharing it on social media, submitting it to a film festival, or just showing it to friends and family, your carefully crafted color grade will help your work stand out and make an impact.
Related Q&A
Q: Can I use LUTs in other video editing software? A: Yes, LUTs are a universal format and can be used in many different video editing programs, including DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and After Effects.
Q: Where can I find free LUTs to use in Premiere Pro? A: There are many websites that offer free LUTs, such as Lutify.me, RocketStock, and PremiumBeat. Just make sure to check the licensing terms before using them in commercial projects.
Q: Can I create my own LUTs? A: Absolutely! You can create your own LUTs using software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Photoshop. Once you’ve created a LUT, you can save it as a .cube file and load it into Premiere Pro.
Q: Do LUTs work with all types of footage? A: LUTs can be applied to any type of footage, but the results may vary depending on the original color profile of the footage. For best results, it’s recommended to shoot in a flat or log color profile, which gives you more flexibility in post-production.
Q: Can I use LUTs for photography? A: While LUTs are primarily designed for video, they can also be used in photography software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. However, the process of applying LUTs to photos is slightly different and may require additional steps.