Unlock Your Creativity: Why LUTs Are Changing the Game in Photography

I’ve been into this story since 2010, starting with Ufraw for Raw photos and Rawtherapee. Trey Radcliff’s stunning photos and Nik Efex opened up a new world. I began creating presets for Rawtherapee, inspired by Pat David’s Haldcluts. PictureFX Haldcluts launched around 2015. In 2020, I switched to Fuji, diving into .Cube Luts for color grading. However, with the switch to Olympus, I paused my workflow adjustments until late 2023. Recently, Luts have gained traction, with cameras and even Lightroom incorporating them. So, what has changed ?

In the vibrant world of photography, every click captures a moment worth preserving. But with the ever-expanding array of camera brands and smartphone innovations, photographers are faced with a burning question: How do we make our images truly stand out?

Enter LUTs – a game-changer in the art of color processing. Traditionally, we’ve relied on in-camera recipes like Fujifilm’s iconic film simulations for their ease of use and consistency. But as Panasonic, Sony, Nikon, Canon and even smartphones like the Apple iPhone join the LUT revolution, it’s clear that something big is happening.

Well, that’s been going on for a while you might think – in video ! And indeed, it’s true, but what’s often overlooked is that it’s not just for video – it’s for photography too. Moreover, we’re seeing more and more cameras emerging that are suitable for both video and photo. So, it makes sense that there’s a growing preference for a better and more flexible solution than just a regular recipe.

The excitement over Fujifilm’s Simulations has delayed this progress for quite a while. But now that the hype has settled down a bit, the competition is heating up. Panasonic led the way by introducing real-time Luts in their full-frame S5II, then in the GH6, and now in the new G9II. However, Panasonic isn’t the only one doing this; they’re just the only ones doing it in M4/3 format. This feature lets you easily convert Lightroom presets to .Cube files and use them directly in your camera.

The big question is, how much longer until Fuji brings out the X-H3 with those real-time LUTs ? Because no matter how you look at it, traditional recipes are on the way out. Looking ahead, you may not like it, but this change is unavoidable.

For starters, they offer unparalleled flexibility. With LUTs, you’re not limited to preset looks – you can tweak and customize until your heart’s content. And with more and more cameras supporting LUTs, you can see the effects in real-time, right there in the viewfinder.

But it’s not just about convenience. LUTs are a game-changer for efficiency too. In an industry where time is money, professionals are turning to LUTs to streamline their workflow. Instead of spending hours on color grading, they can achieve stunning results in a fraction of the time.

And it’s not just the pros jumping on the LUT bandwagon – amateurs and enthusiasts alike are discovering the power of these magical filters. With LUTs, anyone can unleash their creativity and transform ordinary photos into works of art.

Still not sure ? Just do a quick search on Google for LUTs and Adobe Lightroom, and see what comes up over the past couple of years. And it’s not just limited to Lightroom – programs like Affinity Photo, Skylum Luminar, ON1 Photo Raw, and many others have jumped on the LUT train too. You’ll find tons of how-to guides and YouTube videos showing you how to use LUTs – it’s everywhere !

So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, it’s time to embrace the LUT revolution. With LUTs, the possibilities are endless, and the future of photography has never looked brighter.

Preview : New PictureFX Lut – Lac du Connemara, Developed to emphasize colors found in the Welsh, Scottish and Irish Highlands : Rugged, Rich and Earthy ! Only just online and already downloaded more than 100 times on Freshluts, get it here for free ! More detailed review about the lut and its making will follow later.

New PictureFX Lut – Lac du Connemara

Some pictures are created with AI using Dall-E

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.