Hi everyone!
Common Mistakes in Color Grading Presets
New colorists often fall into a common trap when creating presets. They meticulously adjust settings for a specific set of images, only to find that when applied to different sets, the color grade falls short. These unused presets end up cluttering their workspace, often named after the project and idea number, such as “colorado02grade.xmp.” This post aims to guide colorists away from this pitfall.
The Limitations of .XMP Files
The inherent limitation of .xmp files becomes apparent in grading. Instead, we advocate for using raw developers as intended, with the Lookup Table (LUT) as the true ink for color grading. Let’s delve into the practical steps.
Prepare Your Image for a LUT Workflow
- Download the Developer .XMP here.
- Alternatively, apply the following settings in Lr, ACR, or C1:
- Contrast: -15
- Highlights: -20
- Shadows: +15
- Whites: -20
- Blacks: +20
- Clarity: -15 (for a film simulation touch)
Ensure your exposure and white balance are neutral, tweaking as needed. Day or night, these settings apply universally, avoiding burned highlights or crushed shadows.
All of our LUTs were developed in sRGB color space, and for video the closest alternative is rec709. You can in theory use Adobe RGB, but it will not be 100% how we envisioned the LUT being used.
Applying the LUT
After applying the Developer .XMP, check exposure and white balance. In Photoshop, use the “Lookup Table” adjustment layer to load the .cube file for LUT application. For batch processing, record the action for efficient use with an image processor.
Fine-Tune Your Grade
Adjust the layer’s opacity to fine-tune the effect. Typically, our grades work best around 75% opacity. Experiment within the 35%-75% range for your specific image or set of images.
Experimenting with LUT Combinations
Explore unique styles by experimenting with multiple LUTs and blending modes. Feel free to explore the synergy between Provia in Luminosity mode and Portra in Color mode, approximating Fuji Pro 160 NS. Experimentation with combinations can lead to striking results, as exemplified by the Technicolor (not yet released) + Fuji Astia combination.
Conclusion
This post serves as a comprehensive guide, covering the pitfalls of preset creation, steps for LUT-based workflows, fine-tuning effects, and the power of experimentation. Stay tuned for more examples and a potential PDF tutorial integration into our products.
Thank you for reading, and share your results with us! 🎨✨