BLOG – What is a LUT?
Help! My Video Looks Grey and Flat!! What is Log Footage & What’s a LUT?
We get this question a lot when we’re filming or showing early versions of videos to clients:
“Why does the footage look so flat, grey, or sort of black and white?”
The answer: Log footage.
It’s a camera setting, like a pro version of an Instagram filter, designed to capture as much detail as possible. On its own, it looks weird. Let’s break down what it is, why it matters, and how we transform it using o LUTs to create stunning final videos.
What Is Log Footage?
I need you to fully engage your imagination now… Think of filming like baking a cake.
If you let the camera “bake” the image for you (shooting in a standard colour profile), it’s like buying a ready-made cake from a supermarket like Tescos. It looks decent, tastes fine, and works for most people.
But when we want something more high-end, more unique, we need more flexibility with the colours. Shooting in Log is like baking a cake that’s only partially finished. You’ve got all the ingredients, but now you need to decorate it, frost it, and make it amazing.
Shooting in Log gives us maximum control over colour, contrast, skin tones, shadows, and highlights. It doesn’t look finished on camera, but it gives us the tools to create something far more polished.
Why Not Just Shoot in RAW like a Photographer?
Great question. Shooting in RAW gives you full access to every colour and detail. But there’s a catch:
- RAW video files are massive. (10- 20x larger files vs LOG)
- A short project could create terabytes of data.
- Most workflows (and clients) can’t handle it efficiently.
That’s why Log exists – it gives you much of the flexibility of RAW, but with smaller, more manageable files. It’s the best of both worlds.
So… What Is a LUT?
LUT stands for Look-Up Table. Think of it like a recipe for colour.
When we shoot in Log, the image looks washed out and grey. A LUT transforms that into something vibrant, cinematic, and stylised.
Some LUTs aim for a clean, true-to-life look. Others are designed to give a filmic or commercial feel. Think:
- The greenish Matrix-style look
- The glossy, bright Love Island aesthetic
- High-end TV ad polish
Applying a LUT is like adding a filter – but it’s far more powerful and customisable.
Why Don’t We Colour Grade Straight Away?
Colour grading takes time.
For a 2-minute video, full grading might take anywhere from few hours to a couple of days . So if we make major changes after that (like swapping shots or cutting new scenes), we have to re-grade everything.
That’s why we usually:
- Shoot in Log
- Apply a basic LUT for previewing
- Edit the video and get sign-off
- Then apply full colour grading once everything is final
It’s more efficient for everyone, and keeps projects on track and on budget.
Can You Use the Footage Yourself?
Yes! Some of our clients want to use footage for:
- Social media
- Website content
- Internal videos
- Future cutdowns
Here’s how we handle that:
- We shoot and edit as usual
- You choose your favourite shots (5–20 minutes worth)
- We colour grade those clips
- You get them fully ready to use
That way, one shoot gives you multiple assets you can reuse across platforms.
What Kind of Looks Can You Get with a LUT?
LUTs can help you achieve:
- Clean, crisp corporate looks
- Warm, soft romantic tones
- Punchy, vibrant ads
- Moody, cinematic feels
You can use them to:
- Highlight skin tones
- Desaturate backgrounds
- Enhance product visuals
- Match your brand colours
We often use LUTs as a starting point, then make fine tweaks to get each shot looking just right.
Why Does This Matter?
We wrote this blog to help our clients understand why their first video draft might not look perfect.
It’s part of the process. Shooting in Log and using LUTs means we can deliver a more polished final product, with better colour, contrast, and style.
It also saves time, money, and stress when changes happen. Once your video is final, we do the full grade and send you something that truly shines.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a marketing manager, business owner, or content strategist, knowing about Log and LUTs helps you make smarter video decisions.
Want to see how Log footage transforms into something stunning? Book a free video audit with Nomadic UK and we’ll show you exactly how we do it.
