is it possible to use Luts for grading raw stills in Photoshop orLlightroom?

[cojocaru27]

Hi Guys,

Probably this is a stupid question and i am sorry if i pollute the forum with it. I just want to have that specific filmish look to my stills as well. I would love to be a click away, like the luts are working in FCP X, in grading a raw still. Thank you for your answers and it's great to be part of such a nice community.

cheers

[BrorSvensson]

Try out the VSCO presets if you haven't already. 

[The Chris]

VSCO, DXO film packs, the Google Nik collection, totally rad presets and so on. There are lots of options. 

[Don Kotlos]

I have been using the rec709 LUTs from @benymypony to grade RAW files for quite some time. 

My process is Lightroom for basic editing, then edit in Photoshot to set the LUT. 

In my opinion film packs have neither the quality or range of LUTs and are crazy expensive for what you get. 

[Nikkor]

Yes you can use Luts in Photoshop.

When you open a raw in Photoshop you will get the ACR window. At the bottom it will say "Adobe RGB (1998), 8bit, etc..." click on this. Now select 16bit, and also click "Open in Photoshop as Smart Objects".

This simple step will give you the best quality and let you do RAW adjustments after opening the file in PS (just double click on the thumbnail on the layer window).

Now you can make an Adjustment layer called "Color Lookup" which will let you select a lut. (you can do this without the first step)

 

[benymypony]

Here is a guide about how to use LUTs in Photoshop CS6 and over : http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/color-lookup-cs6/

[cojocaru27]

thank you guys for the answers. I think the "Color Lookup" is the easy way out. Nice to be able to use the Luts when you want a specific treatment for your photos aswell. I am working as an art director and when i have to put up a production brief together with some refrences for the mood and look, it helps a lot.

Now i have to find a way to preload the luts files in the Color Lookup otherwise i have to load each lut everytime i want to use it. I just want to have it in the drop menu of the existing ones.

[cojocaru27]

These are to stills i took during my trip in Japan last year. Taken with OMD M5, old one, and treated with luts for the filmish look. I will make a series and i'll post some before and after side by side to see the outcome. It's just amazing how easy you can get rid of the digital, extra sharp look.

Only if M5 had this quality for video!

[Don Kotlos]

FYI with the latest Lightroom update we can finally use LUTs for images without the need to go to photoshop!

https://***URL removed***/news/1511565626/adobe-releases-massive-update-to-camera-profiles-in-acr-and-lightroom

[Mark Romero 2]

And now for something completely different...

I am pretty sure you could import RAW files (DNG format) into Resolve and apply luts, or use the wonderful grading tools in resolve (I loves me some saturation vs luminance curves).

[TwoScoops]

^ I've wondered about trying that. Has anyone exported CR2/NEF from LR as a DNG then opened in Resolve?

[Trek of Joy]

3 hours ago, TwoScoops said:

^ I've wondered about trying that. Has anyone exported CR2/NEF from LR as a DNG then opened in Resolve?

You could also use the free Adobe DNG converter as well, just in case you don't buy into the Adobe subscription plan.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/adobe-dng-converter.html

7 hours ago, Don Kotlos said:

FYI with the latest Lightroom update we can finally use LUTs for images without the need to go to photoshop!

https://***URL removed***/news/1511565626/adobe-releases-massive-update-to-camera-profiles-in-acr-and-lightroom

Wow, that's a great update!