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same white balance and same dynamic range, at a mini-
mum, if you’re looking for consistency. It may be necessary
to use a Curves and Color Balance layer below the CLUT on
a few images to get the same output each time.

TIME TO EXPORT
When you’re ready to export, go to File>Export>Color
Lookup Table, and you’ll have some options from which to
choose. Without getting into the details of each file type,
you should default to the Cube format, though I tend to
leave both Cube and 3DL selected. If you’re working with
other applications for video or production work, you’ll
probably get specific directions for file type. Cube appears
to be the most universal, and also gives you the option
to swap the color matrix when using the file later back in

Photoshop. The Description is for your own use, as you’ll

need to create a filename at the end, anyway. Finally,

I turn on the Use Lower Case File Extensions option, and

I set the Quality to High.

I recommend saving the file someplace away from the

3DLUTS folder inside the Presets folder in Photoshop’s

application folder, and then creating a copy for loading.

The reason for this is that it’s easier to share the CLUT

when you can find it, and sometimes the Presets folder

gets munged up on updates or other plug-in activity.

(It’s rare, but frustrating.) When you’ve saved the file,

you can add a copy to the 3DLUTS folder in the Presets

folder, or you can load it directly in the Properties panel

by selecting Load 3D LUT from the 3DLUT File drop-down

menu. Using the Presets folder means you need to quit

Photoshop, and restart for the preset to appear in the

3DLUT drop-down menu.

Of course, you can use CLUTs for all kinds of photographs

and even illustrations. Creating your own lookup tables

is a fantastic way to develop your own unique look, no

matter what the subject. Most current movies manipulate

emotion through color, with some notable examples in the

last few years of superhero movies. The grading concept

is exactly the same, if a little more delicate. The point is,

using lookup tables for color palettes is a high-end move

that’s surprisingly easy to get into. n

Close-up of final portrait