Look Up Tables, or LUTS, are a series of numbers assigned to the thousands of colors detectable by the human eye. They are typically used to digitally enhance movie scenes, but you can use these numbered color tables for a few other creative purposes. One purpose, in particular, digital photography, can definitely benefit from using deluxe color grading LUTS. Here is how you can use LUTS to create incredible digital photos.
Download a Picture You Want to Edit
The first thing you need to do is download a picture you want to edit. For this example, a wide green leaf with dew drops works great. It can either be low to the ground or hovering in a tree overhead. Make sure you have your LUTS handy via many of the free LUTS you can find online. Otherwise, buy and use something like Premiere Pro LUTS or Da Vinci Resolve.
Use Your Photo Editing Tools to Focus on the Leaf
You should be able to pull down your color chart in your photo editing tools. You can either select a random spot on the color grids, or you can type in something like "Pantone 2286 U" and the color pops up for you to use. Of course, if you are looking for a very specific shade of green to edit your photo, and you are not sure what it is called or what number is assigned to it, you open your LUTS program and search for just the right green. Then you take that information and type it into your color editing tools to get it to pop up.
Next, Dip and "Paint" or "Marker"
Using the editing tools of "paint" or "marker," you can add this shade of green to your photo to give it more depth and a greater range of color. It helps to stand up and stand back from the computer during the editing process to see the project at each step. Also, save each result after each editing step in case you want to easily revert back to an earlier step when you decide you do not like the results.
Tap and Transfer
If you are working on a computer with a touchscreen and stylus, that is even better. You can tap on the "tap and transfer" tool in your editing toolbox. Then tap on the color you want from your LUTS. Finally, tap the stylus back to your custom color box in your editing software. Continue working from there and repeat for each new color you grab while you brighten, deepen, and give more depth to your photo.
Share20 May 2018
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