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Photography tips, color grading tutorials, and the story behind building Spectral.

Article
3 min read

Color Grading Your Photos Without Lightroom

You don't need an expensive subscription to color grade your photos. Here's how Spectral gives you professional tools directly in your browser.

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Tutorial 3 min read

What Is a 3D LUT and How to Use One

3D LUTs transform the colors in your photos using a mathematical lookup table. Learn what they are, how they work, and how to use them in Spectral.

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Philosophy 4 min read

Why Edit Photos in the Browser?

Modern browsers are more powerful than you think. WebGL, WebAssembly, and local storage make browser-based photo editing a real alternative to desktop apps.

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Article 4 min read

Fujifilm Film Simulations: Getting the Most from SOOC

Fujifilm's built-in film simulations produce beautiful JPGs straight out of camera. Here's how to take them one step further with targeted color grading.

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Tutorial 3 min read

Color Grading vs Color Correction: What's the Difference?

Color correction fixes problems. Color grading creates a mood. Understanding the difference helps you edit photos more intentionally.

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Tutorial 4 min read

Understanding Tone Curves for Better Photos

The curves tool is the most powerful adjustment in any photo editor. Learn how to read and use RGB curves to transform your images.

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Article 4 min read

RAW vs JPG: Do Hobby Photographers Need RAW?

RAW files give you more editing flexibility, but JPGs are often good enough. Here's an honest take on when RAW matters and when it doesn't.

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Philosophy 5 min read

Your Photos Deserve Privacy

Most photo editors upload your images to someone else's server. Here's why local-first editing matters and how browser technology makes it possible.

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Tutorial 4 min read

How to Create Cinematic Photo Looks

Break down the key ingredients of cinematic color grading: split toning, film fade, controlled contrast, and lens effects. Step-by-step guide with examples.

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Article 3 min read

Export Your Color Grade as a LUT

Spectral lets you export your current color grade as a reusable .cube LUT file. Here's why that's useful and how it works.

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