What Is Log Footage?
Each camera brand uses its own log curve and colour gamut, such as S-Log3, C-Log3, V-Log, N-Log, F-Log2, Apple Log, or LogC. Knowing exactly which profile was used is essential for converting it correctly.
Step 1: Expose Log Footage Correctly
Judging log by eye is unreliable because the image looks flat. Instead, monitor through a viewing LUT and measure with waveform or false colour. Follow the manufacturer's recommended exposure targets for your profile, often expressed as levels for middle grey or skin tones.
- Protect highlights from clipping, especially skies and windows.
- Avoid underexposure, which reveals noise when shadows are lifted.
- Many shooters expose slightly brighter than standard on some profiles to reduce noise.
- Use ND filters to control light without changing your chosen shutter speed.
- Record at the highest bit depth available, ideally 10-bit or more.
Monitoring Log on Set
Apply a technical LUT to your monitor or camera display so the director and client see a normal-looking image while the camera records log. Make sure the LUT is only applied to the monitoring output unless you deliberately want it baked in. For multi-camera shoots, use the same LUT on every monitor; see our guide to the 2 camera setup.
Step 2: Convert Log with LUTs or Colour Management
| Method | How it works | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer technical LUT | Converts log to a standard display space such as Rec. 709 | Quick, simple projects |
| Colour-managed workflow | Software transforms log to a working colour space, then to output | Professional grading and mixed cameras |
| Creative LUT | Applies a stylised look after conversion | As a starting point, not a final grade |
Colour management handles different cameras more accurately and preserves more latitude for grading.
Step 3: Grade Log Footage
Balance
Set exposure, white balance, and contrast shot by shot.
Match
Make shots from different angles and cameras consistent.
Look
Apply the creative style: palette, contrast, saturation.
Secondaries
Refine skin tones, skies, and specific colours.
Finishing
Add grain or texture if desired; check on calibrated displays.
Deliver
Export to the correct colour space for each platform.
For how grading fits into the wider project, see what pre-production is and plan grading time from the start.
Common Log Footage Mistakes
Wrong conversion
Applying the wrong camera's LUT produces odd colours. Confirm the profile.
Underexposing
Lifting dark log footage reveals noise and muddy shadows.
8-bit log
Heavy grading of 8-bit log can cause banding.
Baking in the LUT
Recording the LUT removes the flexibility of log.
Skipping matching
Unmatched angles look inconsistent when cut together.
Phone shooters using Apple Log can follow the same steps; see iPhone cinematography.
When to Use a Professional Colourist
Brand films, ads, and multi-camera projects benefit from a dedicated colourist who can match cameras and build a consistent look. A colour grading studio in India can handle log conversion and final delivery, and a Bangalore post-production team can set up on-set LUTs so what you see matches the final result more closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I edit log footage?
Convert it with the correct LUT or colour-managed transform for your camera's log profile, then grade for balance, matching, and look.
Why does my log footage look grey?
Log intentionally reduces contrast and saturation to preserve dynamic range. It needs conversion and grading.
Should I overexpose log footage?
Many profiles benefit from slightly brighter exposure to reduce noise, but protect highlights. Follow your camera's recommendations and test.
What is a LUT for log footage?
A look-up table that converts log into a standard colour space or applies a creative look.
Is colour management better than LUTs?
For professional and multi-camera work, colour management is usually more accurate and flexible.
Get Every Stop of Dynamic Range on Screen
Log footage rewards discipline: expose with tools, monitor with LUTs, convert accurately, and grade carefully.
Editatease operates as a post-production and colour studio, a cinematic production crew across India, and a grading partner for brand films. Need help grading your log footage? Send us a sample.
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