The Short Answer
Fix exposure and white balance, put the LUT on its own node after those fixes, and tune the strength by eye. That is the whole method. The rest of this guide shows each step in DaVinci Resolve and the mistakes to avoid.
This guide uses the ARRiPhone LUT, which comes in an Apple Log version and a Rec.709 version, made to give iPhone footage an ARRI ALEXA 35 style grade. The same steps work with any .cube LUT.
Before You Start
- Shoot with care. A LUT cannot rescue a clipped sky or a muddy shadow. Expose for the highlights you care about.
- Know your footage. Apple Log, or standard Rec.709? Check the LUT's setup guide so you start from the input it expects.
- Use a calibrated screen when you can. A bright, over-saturated laptop display will fool you.
Step 1: Install the LUT in Resolve
- Download the .cube file after purchase.
- In Resolve, open Project Settings, then Color Management, and scroll to Lookup Tables.
- Click Open LUT Folder.
- Copy the .cube file into that folder.
- Click Update Lists. The LUT now appears in your LUT menu.
Step 2: Build the Node Tree
Open the Color page and create three serial nodes:
| Node | Job |
|---|---|
| 1. Correct | Exposure and white balance |
| 2. Look | The LUT |
| 3. Polish | Final contrast, saturation, skin tones |
Keeping the LUT on its own node makes it easy to switch off, compare and adjust.
Step 3: Correct First
On node 1, set exposure so the picture sits where it should and neutralize white balance. If skin looks green or magenta at this point, no LUT will fix it for you. Doing this before the look is the single biggest improvement most beginners can make.
Step 4: Apply the LUT
Right-click node 2, choose LUT, then pick the LUT from the list. The image should immediately gain contrast, color and a more cinematic feel.
Step 5: Adjust the Strength
If the look feels too heavy:
- Open the Key tab for node 2.
- Lower Output Gain, or use a parallel mixer to blend the LUT with the original.
- Compare with the node on and off, and choose the strength that suits the scene.
A look does not have to be applied at full strength on every shot.
Step 6: Check Skin Tones and Polish
On node 3, add small corrections:
- If faces look too orange or too red, nudge the hue slightly.
- Add or reduce contrast with a gentle curve.
- Pull saturation down a touch if colors feel loud.
Skin should look natural on a calm, neutral display. When in doubt, step away from the screen for a minute and look again.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping exposure and white balance. The LUT sits on top of a bad image.
- Stacking looks. One LUT plus a heavy second look usually muddies the picture.
- Using the wrong input. Apple Log and Rec.709 footage need to be treated according to the LUT's instructions.
- Judging on one screen. Check on a phone and a TV before you deliver.
Using Another Editor?
The idea is the same everywhere. In Premiere Pro, use the Lumetri Color panel and load the .cube file as a creative Look. In Final Cut Pro, use a custom LUT effect. The ARRiPhone LUT includes a setup guide for each major app.
Get the LUT
The ARRiPhone LUT is an instant download from Gumroad and works across DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, CapCut and LumaFusion. Read what ARRI color science is if you want the background, or LogC vs Apple Log to understand why matching the input matters.
Apply an ARRI-style LUT to iPhone footage in DaVinci Resolve
Install the LUT
Copy the .cube file into the Resolve LUT folder from Project Settings, Color Management, then click Update Lists.
Build three nodes
Create nodes for correction, the look and final polish so each can be adjusted on its own.
Correct exposure and white balance
Fix the image on the first node before you apply any look.
Apply the LUT
Right-click the second node, choose LUT and pick the file.
Tune the strength
Lower the output gain on the LUT node if the look is too heavy for the shot.
Check skin tones
On the third node, make small corrections so skin looks natural, then check on a phone and a TV.
Questions people ask
Where do I put a .cube LUT in DaVinci Resolve?
Open Project Settings, go to Color Management, choose Open LUT Folder under Lookup Tables, copy the file in, then click Update Lists. The LUT then appears in the LUT menu on any node.
Should I color correct before or after applying a LUT?
Before. Set exposure and white balance on an earlier node, then apply the LUT on its own node. This gives a more predictable result.
How do I make a LUT less strong in Resolve?
Lower the Output Gain on the LUT node in the Key tab, or blend it with the original image using a parallel mixer.
Written by the team at Clouds Agency, a Los Angeles creative and production consulting agency.