A LUT, short for lookup table, is a file that remaps the colors in an image to a new set of colors, giving you a ready-made grade. You can apply one to photos in DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, or Affinity Photo, then lower its strength and correct exposure so the look suits the picture. Menu names vary between versions, so check each program’s help pages.

How to Use LUTs for Photo Color Grading in Resolve and Photoshop

What a LUT Does

Think of a LUT as a translation chart. For each input color it holds an output color. Most files use the .cube format, which these programs can read. Some LUTs are made to convert between color spaces, and others are creative looks. A creative LUT expects an image with fairly neutral exposure and white balance, so correct those first.

In DaVinci Resolve

  1. Open the photo in the Color page, either as a still or in a project that holds your images.
  2. Add a serial node after your basic correction nodes.
  3. Right-click the node, choose the LUT option, and select a file from the list. Files placed in Resolve’s LUT folder show up after the list is refreshed.
  4. Reduce the node’s Key Output gain below 1.0 to weaken the look.

In Photoshop

  1. Open the image and add a Color Lookup adjustment layer from the Layers panel.
  2. Under 3DLUT File, choose Load 3D LUT and select your file, or pick one from the built-in list.
  3. Lower the layer’s opacity to blend the look in gradually.
  4. Use the layer mask to keep the effect off the areas you want left alone.

In Affinity Photo

  1. Open the image and add a LUT adjustment layer from the Adjustment menu.
  2. Load your .cube file from the adjustment’s settings.
  3. Reduce the layer opacity or use the mask to control the strength.

Getting Better Results

Issue Remedy
Colors look too strong Lower opacity to between 30 and 70 percent as a baseline range
Skin looks orange or green Adjust white balance before the LUT, or mask skin
Highlights clip Reduce exposure before the LUT is applied
Shadows turn muddy Add a curve layer after the LUT

Place the LUT near the end of your edit, after exposure and white balance corrections, and add a final tweak with curves if needed. Also remember that a LUT built for video footage may behave differently on a photograph, so judge each result by eye.

FAQ

Are LUTs the same as presets?

Not quite. A preset stores slider positions in one program, while a LUT is a color mapping file that works across several programs.

Why does the same LUT look different in each program?

Differences in color management and image bit depth can change how a LUT looks. Set up your working color space consistently.

The Short Version

Correct exposure and white balance first, apply the LUT through a node or adjustment layer, and lower its strength until skin tones and highlights look natural. Use masks for control and save the look for repeat use.