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May 15
18 min. to read
Discover the power of LUTs for Photoshop and learn how to use LUTs in Photoshop for professional color grading and image enhancement. Find, import, and create custom LUTs for unique and stunning results in your photo editing projects.
LUTs can transform an ordinary image into something extraordinary. You can alter the tone and color of any color in a single click. For example, you can change a black-and-white photo to an earth-toned image.
LUTs provide an easy and efficient way to edit and grade colors to enhance and fine-tune your images. While over the years, they have been helpful to film editors, in recent years, they have become indispensable to photographers. But what are LUTs in Photoshop anyway?
LUT stands for Look Up Table. It is a digital file that automatically transforms the color and tone of an image. It changes the range of colors in your image to another range of colors. In simpler terms, LUT is a color preset that you can apply with one click. You can easily edit LUT in Photoshop and other artificial intelligence photo editing software.
The process of image editing was once complex and time-consuming. But, using LUTs saves you time by easing the process of editing, color grading, photo retouching, and blending. LUTs help you enhance the look of a raw or Jpg image in a few clicks.
It provides the most efficient way to change images without sacrificing quality. You also help develop your unique style by tweaking your sliders.
Adding LUTs to your work will change the color and tone curves of the image depending on how the LUT was created. You can make all the essential adjustments to the photograph, apply the LUT, and refine the setting. LUTs are used as filters or layers in most photos.
Photoshop is one of the best photo editing software for beginners; if you are just starting, you can use LUT in Photoshop to enhance your images.
To use LUT in Photoshop, store them in a folder. Apply the LUT tool or layer, select the LUT, and then adjust the strength of the LUT.
The main types of LUT are the 1D and 3D LUTs. While they both alter images, they do so differently.
1D LUTs:
3D LUTs:
The common LUT file formats are:
There are so many places to download photography LUTs. Some are paid, and some are free. Also, some LUTs could be better, so you must try them out to find the right one. Here are some places to find free and paid quality LUTs:
There are two ways to import LUT in Photoshop. You can choose whichever seems more comfortable for you.
1st Method
Method 2
The second method involves installing your LUT into Photoshop's installation folder. Here's how to install LUTs in Photoshop:
1. Find your LUTs. Select them and copy them into the following folders:
For Windows users: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop *version*\Presets\3DLUTS.
For MAC users: Applications/Adobe Photoshop *version*/Presets/3DLUTS.
2. Ensure Photoshop is closed during the process. Also, save your project and back it up before starting so you won't lose everything if it crashes.
3. Search for your LUTs in the Color Lookup setting.
This is where you get to apply LUT in Photoshop for color grading. If you don't have Photoshop and are using one of the free alternatives to Photoshop, you will need to search for that specific software. Follow these steps to use the color lookup adjustment layer.
If you want to use the presets LUTs in Photoshop, follow these steps:
Using LUTs in Photoshop doesn't end with applying the Lookup table. You can fine-tune your alterations using the blend mode and opacity options in the Layers panel. To adjust the opacity:
To use blending mode to blend images:
Although you can find quality LUT packages like the Lightroom presets, it's sometimes better to create yours. Creating custom LUTs allows you to be more creative and customize them to your taste. Here's how to create and add LUTs to Photoshop:
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create LUTs for Photoshop:
You can use your custom LUT as a one-time solution. But, you could also add LUTs to Photoshop for future use. Here's how to add LUTs to Photoshop:
Here are some tips to guide you when using LUTs in Photoshop:
LUTs work best with properly exposed images. Hence, if your image is overexposed or underexposed, your color grade process will not yield the best results.
All colors should appear as they should, and the color values should be consistent. If not, you need to do color correction before you apply a LUT unless you may not see the expected results.
To achieve a more advanced color grading, you can stack numerous LUTs on top of each other. This process is known as LUT stacking. After using a LUT to adjust the color balance, you can use another one to fine-tune specific colors.
But, you must be careful and ensure you know how to do it. Because, LUT stacking can create a mess if not done well. So, you should understand the role each LUT plays so you can combine them effectively to create a beautiful edit. Knowing this is important because not all LUTs work well together so they must blend well.
You must know that LUTs are not one-size-fits-all. Not all LUTs are right for all images, so you must find the right one. You need patience and attention to detail to learn how to use LUTs in Photoshop correctly.
Generally, consider the mood or style of the image when choosing the right LUT. Experimenting is all important. Try out different LUTs till you find the right one for your image.
LUT in Photoshop is very crucial in the editing process. It also enhances images by simplifying the color grading process. With a single click, LUT allows you to transform the color and tone of images.
To become a better photographer and editor, explore the many benefits LUTs provide. Experiment with different LUTs to find the right ones for your photos. You can also create your own custom LUT for Photoshop for more flexibility and to make your unique style.
1D LUT cannot perform complex color-grade processes. It can only adjust brightness, contrast, and black-and-white levels. However, 3D LUTs can perform more complex operations as they are based on a 3-dimensional cube.
You can create your own custom LUT in Photoshop by creating your color grading effect in Photoshop and saving it as a new LUT file.
Yes, using multiple LUTs for advanced color grading.
After pasting your color grading in a new document, go to file < export < Color Lookup Tables. Create a description and name your LUT so you can easily find it. Then, click save to save your custom LUT.
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