From Final Cut Camera to Looks
Record in Final Cut Camera, save the clips to Photos, then open them in Looks to apply a LUT and grain. You can complete this workflow on your iPhone without Final Cut Pro or a desktop computer.
1. Choose the recording format
In Final Cut Camera, open the format controls and choose HEVC or a supported ProRes format. For the bundled Summer Grading look in Looks, set the colour space to Apple Log. Choose a resolution and frame rate that fit your project and available storage.
Apple Log recording requires a supported iPhone. Apple lists the available options and device requirements in Set the video format. HEVC can keep files smaller than ProRes; selecting ProRes by itself does not mean that you selected log.
2. Check the image and record
Record a short test first. Check focus and exposure, especially bright skies and faces. Summer Grading is intended for Apple Log 1; if you choose Apple Log 2, plan to use a LUT made for that input.
Final Cut Camera’s Preview with LUT helps you judge the image while recording log. A preview is not your finished Looks export. Keep the original log clip for grading. Apple explains the preview controls in its video format guide.
3. Save the clips to Photos
Open Final Cut Camera’s media browser from the thumbnail on the camera screen. Select the recorded videos and use the sharing options to save them to your photo library. Follow Apple’s share and transfer instructions for your version.
Check that the videos appear in Photos before opening Looks. Looks selects media from the Photos library, so a recording that remains only inside Final Cut Camera or on an external drive is not yet ready for this workflow.
4. Apply your look in Looks
- Allow Looks to access the clips you want to edit in Photos.
- Select your test clip and choose Summer Grading for Apple Log 1, or a compatible imported LUT.
- Preview the look, adjust its intensity and grain, then process a copy.
- Check the saved video in Photos. Once you are happy, select the remaining clips with matching recording settings and process the batch.
Common questions
Why can’t I see my clip in Looks?
Confirm that it has been saved to Photos and that Looks has permission to see it. If you gave limited Photos access, include the new clips in that selection. Media stored in iCloud may need to download before processing.
Should I choose Apple Log 2 because it is newer?
Choose the recording format and grading LUT together. For Summer Grading, choose Apple Log 1. A different log format needs its own compatible LUT; newer does not make it interchangeable.
Does this cover ProRes RAW?
No. This guide covers HEVC and conventional ProRes clips. ProRes RAW is a separate capture and post-production workflow, and is not a supported workflow described here.
Continue with Apple Log grading or bringing your own .cube LUT.