How to Build a Neutral Base Grade for Apple Log 2 Footage
A clean, consistent foundation for cinematic color
Before applying any creative look, every professional color workflow starts from the same place: a neutral base grade.
When working with Apple Log 2, this step becomes even more important. Log 2 captures an extended dynamic range and a very flat gamma curve. If you skip the base grade or rush it, LUTs behave unpredictably, skin tones break, and highlights lose their natural rolloff.
This article shows how to build a neutral, repeatable base grade for Apple Log 2 footage that works across lighting conditions, editing apps, and projects.
1. What a Neutral Base Grade Really Is
A neutral base grade is not a creative look.
Its goal is simple:
- Convert Apple Log 2 into a standard viewing space
- Restore natural contrast and saturation
- Preserve highlight rolloff
- Maintain accurate skin tones
- Create a clean starting point for creative grading
If done correctly, every creative LUT or manual grade will behave more predictably.
2. Normalize Apple Log 2 Correctly
Apple Log 2 must be normalized before any creative work.
You have two valid approaches, depending on your workflow.
Option 1: Color Space Transform (CST)
Most professional editing apps allow color space transforms.
Typical settings:
- Input Color Space: Apple Log 2
- Input Gamma: Apple Log
- Output Color Space: Rec.709
- Output Gamma: Rec.709 (Gamma 2.4)
This method is precise and technically clean, but requires correct settings every time.
Option 2: Conversion LUT Designed for Apple Log 2
A faster and safer method is using a conversion LUT that is specifically designed for Apple Log 2 behavior.
This avoids:
- Incorrect CST settings
- Highlight clipping
- Gamma mismatches
Absoluts LUTs are built to both normalize Apple Log and apply a controlled tonal response, giving you a reliable base in one step.
3. Balance Exposure Before Anything Else
Once normalized, exposure must be corrected before contrast or color adjustments.
What to do:
- Adjust exposure so midtones feel natural
- Ensure highlights remain smooth and not clipped
- Lift shadows only if necessary
Do not chase brightness.
A neutral base grade should look slightly restrained, not punchy.
4. Set Contrast with Intention
Contrast defines the structure of your image.
For a neutral base:
- Avoid aggressive S-curves
- Keep contrast gentle and even
- Preserve highlight rolloff
- Maintain shadow detail
Excessive contrast at this stage will:
- Break highlight transitions
- Limit creative flexibility
- Cause LUTs to behave unpredictably
5. Restore Natural Saturation
Apple Log 2 footage looks desaturated by design.
For a neutral base grade:
- Increase saturation slowly
- Watch skin tones carefully
- Avoid pushing global saturation too far
Skin should look healthy, not colorful.
Background elements should feel natural, not vivid.
If saturation feels uneven, it’s often a sign that exposure or contrast is incorrect.
6. Check White Balance and Color Neutrality
White balance errors become very visible after normalization.
To verify neutrality:
- Check neutral surfaces (walls, shirts, paper)
- Watch skin tones on vectorscope if available
- Avoid over-correcting temperature
Apple Log 2 reacts strongly to WB changes. Small adjustments go a long way.
7. Saving the Base Grade as a Reusable Preset
Once your neutral base grade is complete, save it.
Depending on your software:
- Save it as a preset
- Save it as a PowerGrade
- Save it as a node group
This allows you to:
- Apply consistent normalization across projects
- Speed up workflow
- Avoid technical mistakes
A consistent base grade is the foundation of a consistent visual identity.
8. Applying Creative Looks on Top of the Base Grade
Only after the base grade is complete should you apply creative looks.
At this stage, you can:
- Apply film-inspired LUTs
- Adjust mood and contrast
- Introduce color bias
- Add texture
For refinement:
- Filmic Craft PowerGrade to shape contrast, halation, and glow
- Skintone Craft PowerGrade to maintain natural, consistent skin tones
9. Common Base Grade Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying creative LUTs directly on Log
- Over-contrasting too early
- Over-saturating skin tones
- Skipping white balance correction
- Grading without a reusable structure
These mistakes compound quickly and are difficult to fix later.
Final Thoughts
A neutral base grade is not optional.
It is the backbone of every professional color workflow.
With Apple Log 2, taking the time to normalize, balance exposure, and set controlled contrast gives you:
- Better highlight rolloff
- Cleaner skin tones
- More flexible creative grading
- Faster, more consistent results
Build the base correctly, and everything that comes after becomes easier.