In the world of video production and editing, color plays an integral role in storytelling. Whether setting a mood or triggering emotions, how colors are portrayed and utilized can significantly influence the audience’s experience. One fundamental aspect of color in video editing is “color space.” In this article, we’ll explore what color space is, how it works, and why it matters in video editing.
What is Color Space?
Color space refers to a specific organization of colors that helps represent and reproduce color in various media, including video. Think of it as a framework or a map that defines how colors are displayed and perceived. Different color spaces are designed for various purposes and can represent a range of colors based on the medium (digital screens, print, broadcast, etc.).
For video production, the standard color space for high-quality video and broadcast output is REC.709. This is the default for most HDTV and SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content. While this makes Motion Array LUTs highly versatile for many projects, users working with HDR (High Dynamic Range) content or other formats—like sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, Rec.2020, or LOG—may need to convert their footage to REC.709 before applying these LUTs.
This is why Motion Array only provides LUTs for the REC.709 color space.
Camera LOG Profiles Recording and How to Apply Custom LUTs
In the world of digital cinematography, LOG recording has been widely adopted in digital cinematography because it allows for a more comprehensive range of dynamic performance, which makes it easier to manipulate the color tone when editing.
What is LOG Recording?
LOG (Logarithmic) recording is a type of gamma curve used in video recording that preserves details in an image's highlights and shadows. While standard recording formats capture highlights and blacks in each pixel, LOG recording compresses highlight details and expands shadows, resulting in a flat, desaturated image.
This flat profile retains more information and is ideal for color grading during post-production.
Standard Camera LOG Profiles with default LUTs links:
Here are some popular LOG profiles and their unique features:
- Canon Log (C-Log): Available in Canon cameras, the C-Log provides a wide dynamic range and is highly respected for its color science.
- Sony S-Log: Offers multiple variations (S-Log2, S-Log3) and excels in high dynamic range environments.
- Panasonic V-Log: Found in Panasonic’s GH series and Varicam, known for its natural skin tone reproduction.
- Blackmagic RAW: Handles RAW files efficiently with a LOG-like profile for extensive grading capabilities.
Other Profiles: - D-Log (DJI UAV cameras)
- F-Log (Fujifilm cameras)
- N-Log (Nikon cameras)
- REDlogFilm (RED cameras)
- Apple Log profile (iPhone)
Applying Camera profile LUTs (convert LOG color space to REC 709 color space)
Applying camera profile LUTs is vital in video editing, allowing creators to convert LOG footage into REC.709 color space for enhanced editing. Here’s a breakdown by software:
- Convert your LOG footage to -REC709 color space (technical process)
- Apply Motion Array downloaded creative LUT to your footage (please check the tutorial on the downloaded package according to your editing software).
Converting LOG footage to REC 709 color space
Import Log Footage
Convert to REC709 (in the color management setting on each software)
Adobe Softwares
- On Project Manager right click the footage (s):
- Select Modify > Interpret footage
- On Color Management, select input LUT and add the downloaded camera profile LUT.
Blackmagic Davinci Resolve
- On the Media tab, Right-click the footage (s):
- Select the camera profile LUT previously installed
Apple Final Cut
- On the footage(s), add the effect> Color: Custom LUTs
- Select the camera profile LUT previously installed
After adding the camera profile LUT, you may add the Motion Array LUT or a new custom LUT.
After applying a LUT, additional adjustments may be necessary:
- Contrast and Exposure: Use curves or sliders to tweak brightness and contrast.
- Color Wheels: Adjust shadows, midtones, and highlights for nuanced grading.
- Saturation: Modify color intensity as needed.
Tips for Working with LOG Footage and LUTs
- Monitor Calibration: Always work on a calibrated monitor for accurate color grading.
- Use Scopes: Rely on waveform and vectorscope tools to monitor your grade.
- Experiment and Adjust: Try different LUTs and tweak them to achieve the desired look.