LOG footage is video recorded using a logarithmic encoding curve that captures a wider dynamic range by distributing more data to shadows and midtones, producing a flat, desaturated image designed for color grading.
LOG (logarithmic) recording is a technique used by professional cameras to maximize the dynamic range captured in each frame. Instead of recording a standard contrast curve that looks pleasing out of camera, LOG profiles apply a mathematical curve that compresses highlights and lifts shadows, preserving detail across the entire brightness range. The resulting footage appears flat and washed out, but it contains far more color information than standard recordings.
Every major camera manufacturer has its own LOG profile — Sony's S-Log, Canon's C-Log, Arri's LogC, RED's IPP2 Log, and Blackmagic's Film mode, among others. While they differ in technical specifics, they all serve the same purpose: giving colorists the maximum amount of data to work with in post-production. This flexibility allows for dramatic creative grading without introducing noise, banding, or color artifacts.
When reviewing raw footage from a professional shoot, do not be alarmed if it looks flat and unimpressive — this is intentional. LOG footage is a raw ingredient designed to be transformed in color grading. The flat starting point is precisely what enables the rich, cinematic final look. A production team shooting in LOG is making a quality-first decision that pays off significantly in the grading suite.
Color grading is the creative process of adjusting the colors, contrast, and overall visual tone of footage to establish a mood, style, or visual identity.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a video format that captures and displays a wider range of brightness levels and colors than standard dynamic range, producing more lifelike and impactful images.
A LUT (Look-Up Table) is a mathematical table that maps input color values to output color values, used to quickly apply a specific color transformation or creative look to footage.