Why the hell are my LUTs on itch.io?

“What the f** is itch.io ?”
I’ve been getting that question more than once lately. Not that I blame anyone, if you’re a photographer or videographer who just stumbled onto one of my PictureFX LUTs, and you end up on a site that looks like it belongs to a retro gaming convention, your eyebrows might do a little dance. But hang on, there’s a method to the madness.

Let me explain why this weird and wonderful platform is the home of my LUT collections, and why you might want to stick around.

What is itch.io, anyway?

Itch.io started out as a haven for indie game developers, a sort of digital sandbox where creatives could publish, promote, and sell their games without the restrictions (or commissions) of the big commercial stores. Think Steam, but with actual freedom.

But here’s the thing: itch.io isn’t just for games anymore. Over time, it’s grown into a marketplace for all things creative : game assets, music, 3D models, comics, experimental art, visual effects tools, and yes, even LUTs and photo presets.

It’s open, it’s flexible, and it’s built around the idea that creators should control how their work is shared. That makes it a surprisingly good fit for independent photo and video tools.

Why I chose itch.io for PictureFX LUTs

So why would a site dedicated to quirky games be the right place for my color grading tools?

Simple: freedom and simplicity.

• Pricing, Whether it’s a symbolic fee, a donation, or a fixed price, the choice is mine. But my PictureFX packs? They’re completely free, and that’s not something most commercial photo platforms are too keen on. Itch.io makes it effortless.
• No subscriptions – You’re not getting roped into a monthly plan to grab a LUT or two. Just download what you like.
• No sign-up required – You can grab a file and run. No marketing emails, no hidden traps.
• Easy to update – I can release updates or new LUTs at any time. You get notified if you’ve downloaded them before.
• Previews, demos, tags, filters – All built-in.

And let’s be honest: where else can I publish film-look LUTs and a black-and-white film grain pack next to a pixelated horror game about cats in space? Exactly 🙂

Is itch.io safe and reliable?

Yes, it is. It might look a little punk-rock, but under the hood it’s well managed and used by thousands of creators worldwide, including musicians, filmmakers, developers, and designers.

Payments go through Stripe or PayPal, your downloads are direct (no weird redirect nonsense), and the platform takes privacy and transparency seriously. No data mining, no third-party tracking, no ads. Refreshing, right?

Bonus: What else can you find on itch.io?

Curious minds might want to explore a bit. Besides LUTs, you’ll find:

• Free music loops and soundtracks
• Analog textures and overlays
• Experimental video FX plugins
• Retro-style fonts, art packs, and interactive visuals
• Digital zines and creative tools you didn’t know you needed

And if you’re the adventurous type, yes, there’s an entire universe of indie games too, from brilliant to bizarre.

How to use it (quick guide)

1. Visit my itch.io page:
   👉 https://picturefx.itch.io
2. Click a LUT pack or effect you’re interested in.
3. Hit the Download button
4. Unzip, apply in your editor of choice (RawTherapee, Darktable, DaVinci Resolve…), done.

Need help with LUT installation or usage? Each download includes a readme, and I have tutorials on Open Source Photography to walk you through it.

Final thoughts

So no, it’s not weird that my LUTs live on itch.io. It might look like a gaming site, but it’s really just a corner of the internet where creativity gets to breathe, without paywalls, restrictions … very Open Source actually !

And hey, if you discover a cursed 16-bit goat simulator along the way, consider it a bonus 🙂

This article was written by Marc R.
While I primarily speak Dutch and have some knowledge of English and a little French, ChatGPT helps ensure my writing is grammatically correct. I often mix Dutch and English in my drafts, and ChatGPT steps in to translate and correct.

Some pictures are created with AI using Dall-E