A Photoshop LUT (Look-Up Table) is a pre-defined set of mathematical instructions that remaps the colors in an image or video to achieve a specific color grading or stylistic effect.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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What it is: LUTs are essentially color presets that can drastically change the look and feel of your image. They work by changing the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values of each pixel in your image.
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How they work: A LUT takes an existing color value as input and outputs a new color value based on its internal table. This allows for precise and repeatable color modifications. Think of it like a filter but with much more control and complexity.
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Common Uses:
- Color Grading: Applying specific cinematic looks to photos or videos.
- Stylistic Effects: Creating unique and consistent visual styles across multiple images or video clips.
- Color Correction: Making subtle adjustments to improve the overall color balance.
- Previewing Color Changes: LUTs allow you to quickly visualize how different color adjustments will affect your image without manually tweaking each color channel.
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Why use LUTs?
- Speed: LUTs offer a quick and easy way to apply complex color grades.
- Consistency: You can apply the same LUT to multiple images or videos for a consistent look.
- Creative Exploration: Experiment with different looks quickly and easily.
- Professional Results: Achieve professional-looking color grades without extensive manual adjustments.
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Types of LUTs:
- 3D LUTs (.cube): These are the most common type, offering the most precise color control.
- 1D LUTs: These LUTs only adjust one color channel at a time.
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How to use them in Photoshop:
- Open your image in Photoshop.
- Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Lookup.
- In the Properties panel, click on the 3D LUT File dropdown menu.
- Select Load 3D LUT... and choose the LUT file you want to use.
In summary, a Photoshop LUT is a powerful tool for quickly and consistently applying color grading and stylistic effects to your images, streamlining your workflow and enabling you to achieve professional results.
