How to Test LUTs on Your iPhone Videos (The Right Way)

Testing LUTs may seem simple: drop a LUT on your clip, see if it looks good, and move on.

But if you want true consistency, great skin tones, and a look that works across all your footage, there’s a smarter way to approach the process.

Whether you're shooting in Apple Log or Apple Log 2 on iPhone 15–17 Pro, testing LUTs properly allows you to understand how each look behaves, how it responds to light, and how it shapes your visual style.

Here’s a clear, reliable workflow for testing LUTs like a professional colorist.

1. Capture the Right Test Footage

Before applying any LUT, you need test clips that reveal how a LUT behaves in different lighting and real-world scenarios.

If you only test LUTs on a single scene, you won’t understand how they respond across your projects.

Record short clips of the following:

Skin tones (this is the most important test)
Outdoor daylight
Indoor artificial or mixed light
High-contrast scenes (window light, strong shadows)
Low-light or night scene

Shoot all tests in Apple Log or Apple Log 2 using Blackmagic Camera or Final Cut Camera for full manual control.

Grid showing different iPhone test shots including skin, outdoor, indoor, and high-contrast lighting.

2. Test LUTs in the Right Apps (Mobile or Desktop)

Testing LUTs properly requires tools that let you apply or preview LUTs accurately.

On iPhone

Blackmagic Camera
Final Cut Camera
Liit

On Desktop

Any of these will work perfectly:

DaVinci Resolve
Final Cut Pro
Premiere Pro

Previewing LUTs before recording in Blackmagic Camera is especially powerful. You can immediately see which look works best for your scene.

3. Compare LUTs Side-by-Side

This is where real LUT testing begins.

Never compare LUTs on different clips, it tells you nothing.

Instead, take one clip, ideally with balanced exposure and skin tones, and apply multiple LUTs to it.

When comparing, pay attention to:

Highlight rolloff
Shadow density
Midtone balance
Skin tones
Saturation and color contrast
Overall mood and palette

A good LUT should maintain consistency across different lighting conditions and preserve natural skin tones without extreme shifts.

Multiple LUTs applied to the same test clip in a side-by-side grid for comparison.

4. Evaluate Skin Tones Carefully

Skin tones are the ultimate test of LUT quality.

Ask yourself:

Do faces look natural?
Are they leaning too green or too magenta?
Are they oversaturated or washed out?
Is highlight rolloff smooth?
Do midtones feel warm, neutral, or cool?

If a LUT passes the skin tone test, it's usually safe to use across different types of content.

Need more control?

Use the Skintone Craft PowerGrade, designed to restore natural skin tones on any clip while preserving your LUT’s mood.

5. Adjust the LUT (Don’t Just Drop It On)

A LUT is not a final grade.

A LUT is a starting point.

Once applied, adjust:

Exposure
Temperature
Tint
Saturation
Shadow and highlight balance

These small adjustments help the LUT adapt perfectly to the specific lighting of your clip.

For extra realism, add subtle texture with film grain.

We recommend Film Grain Pro Overlays for a clean, cinematic finish.

6. Choose Your Go-To LUT

After testing across different scenes and light conditions, choose the LUT or LUT pack that:

Works consistently across your footage
Handles skin tones beautifully
Matches your personal style
Is optimized for Apple Log
Doesn’t break under difficult lighting

The best way to find your signature look is to test multiple film-inspired aesthetics.

The iCine Master Bundle gives you all the tools to do that, including:

RED color emulation looks
Kodak-inspired look
Fujifilm-inspired look
High-end commercial palettes
PowerGrades for fine adjustments

Perfect for identifying the look that feels uniquely yours.

7. Common LUT Testing Mistakes to Avoid

Many creators test LUTs incorrectly, which leads to unpredictable results.

Avoid these common mistakes:

Comparing LUTs on poorly exposed footage
Skipping exposure or white balance adjustments
Judging LUTs on clips with extreme lighting
Using LUTs not designed for Apple Log

A consistent testing workflow always produces more reliable color grading.

Final Thoughts

Testing LUTs the right way isn’t just about finding a cool aesthetic, it’s about choosing a look that works consistently, supports skin tones, and elevates your filmmaking style.

With the right workflow and high-quality LUTs designed for Apple Log, your color grading becomes faster, easier, and more cinematic across all your projects.

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