HOW TO VIEW LOG FOOTAGE WITH PROPER COLOR USING LUTS
When video is recorded in a logarithmic profile, it naturally appears flat, muted, and low-contrast. This is normal — log footage is designed this way to preserve dynamic range. To see your video with correct color, depth, and contrast, you simply need to apply a LUT (Lookup Table). Below is a refined guide explaining how to preview your footage beautifully using both video players and professional editing tools.
1. Viewing in Video Players (Quick & Simple)
VLC Media Player (Windows / macOS)
VLC is a free and widely used media player. With extensions, it can display LUT-corrected video.
- Install VLC from the official website.
- Download the LUT for your camera model.
- Install a LUT-supporting extension.
- Enable the LUT to preview your footage in proper color.
MPV Player (Windows / macOS / Linux)
MPV is lightweight, elegant, and supports LUTs via configuration files.
- Download MPV from the official website.
- Download your camera’s LUT.
- Add the following line to mpv.conf:
glsl-shader="path_to_your_LUT"
PotPlayer (Windows)
PotPlayer offers extensive video controls and supports LUTs natively.
- Install PotPlayer.
- Load your LUT via the Video Settings panel.
- Open your footage and preview it in full color.
2. Viewing & Editing in Professional Software
DaVinci Resolve (Windows / macOS)
DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful tools for color grading — and it's free.
- Download DaVinci Resolve.
- Import your log footage.
- Open the Color panel and load your LUT into the LUTs library.
- Apply it to your clip for accurate color representation.
Adobe Premiere Pro (Windows / macOS)
Premiere Pro supports LUTs inside the Lumetri Color panel.
- Open your project.
- Navigate to Lumetri Color → Basic Correction.
- Select your LUT under Input LUT.
- View and edit your footage with proper exposure and color.
Final Notes
For quick viewing, VLC, MPV, and PotPlayer offer simple and effective ways to preview your log footage with a LUT applied. For full control — fine-tuning color, correcting exposure, refining contrast, and preparing a final edit — DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro remain the industry standard choices.
And if you ever need your entire gallery or video collection converted from LOG into natural, fully graded color, our team can take care of it for you. Pricing depends on volume and begins at $100. Simply reach out, and we’ll prepare everything beautifully.