One Guide to Master Video Editing: Tools, Techniques, LUTs & Resources

Video editing has become an essential skill in today's digital world. Whether you're creating content for YouTube, social media, or professional projects, understanding the fundamentals of video editing can transform your raw footage into compelling stories. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right tools to mastering essential techniques and finding quality resources.

Understanding Video Editing Basics

Before diving into tools and techniques, it's important to understand what video editing actually involves. At its core, video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video footage to create a new work. This includes cutting segments, adding transitions, incorporating audio, applying color correction, and adding effects to enhance the final product.

The editing process typically follows a workflow: importing footage, organizing clips, rough cutting, fine-tuning, adding effects and transitions, color grading, audio mixing, and finally exporting the finished video.

Essential Video Editing Tools

Free Video Editing Software

DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve is arguably the best free video editing software available today. Originally a color grading tool, it has evolved into a full-featured editing suite. The free version includes professional-grade color correction tools, audio post-production features, and visual effects capabilities. It's perfect for beginners and professionals alike, with a non-linear editing timeline that feels intuitive once you get the hang of it.

CapCut CapCut has gained massive popularity, especially among social media content creators. It's completely free, easy to use, and available on both desktop and mobile devices. The software comes with built-in templates, effects, and music, making it ideal for quick edits and social media content. Its mobile app is particularly powerful for on-the-go editing.

Shotcut Shotcut is an open-source, cross-platform video editor that supports a wide range of formats. It has a clean interface and doesn't require importing footage, which means you can start editing immediately. While it may have a steeper learning curve than CapCut, it offers more advanced features for those willing to learn.

OpenShot OpenShot is another excellent open-source option with an incredibly user-friendly interface. It features unlimited layers for background videos, audio tracks, and watermarks. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it accessible for complete beginners.

Paid Video Editing Software

Adobe Premiere Pro Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry standard for professional video editing. It offers seamless integration with other Adobe products like After Effects and Photoshop. The subscription-based model includes regular updates and cloud storage. It's ideal for professional work and complex projects.

Final Cut Pro Final Cut Pro is Apple's professional video editing software, available exclusively for Mac users. It's known for its magnetic timeline, which prevents clips from overlapping, and its optimized performance on Apple hardware. The one-time purchase price makes it attractive compared to subscription-based alternatives.

Filmora Filmora strikes a balance between ease of use and professional features. It's perfect for intermediate users who want more than basic editing tools but don't need the complexity of Premiere Pro. The software includes numerous effects, transitions, and templates.

Core Video Editing Techniques

1. The Art of Cutting

The foundation of good editing lies in knowing when and where to cut. Here are essential cutting techniques:

J-Cuts and L-Cuts These are transitions where audio and video don't cut at the same point. In a J-cut, you hear the audio from the next scene before you see it. In an L-cut, the audio from the previous scene continues after the visual has changed. These create smooth, professional transitions that maintain flow.

Jump Cuts Popular in vlogs and YouTube videos, jump cuts remove dead space and keep the pace moving. They're created by cutting out sections of a single continuous shot, making time appear to "jump" forward.

Match Cuts Match cuts create visual connections by matching the composition or action between two shots. This technique can link different scenes or time periods creatively.

2. Pacing and Timing

Good pacing keeps your audience engaged. Fast cuts create energy and excitement, perfect for action sequences or upbeat content. Slower pacing allows for emotional moments and gives viewers time to absorb information. The key is varying your pace to match the content and maintain interest.

3. Color Grading and Correction

Color correction fixes issues with your footage, ensuring consistent exposure and white balance. Color grading is the creative process of establishing a specific look or mood.

Basic Color Correction Steps:

Adjust exposure and contrast
Fix white balance
Balance color across clips
Adjust saturation levels

Color Grading for Mood:

Warm tones create comfort and nostalgia
Cool tones suggest technology or sadness
High contrast creates drama
Desaturated looks feel gritty or historical

4. Audio Editing

Great video needs great audio. Here are essential audio techniques:

Remove background noise using noise reduction tools - Adobe podcast
Balance audio levels so dialogue is clear
Add background music at appropriate levels (usually -20dB to -12dB)
Use audio transitions to prevent abrupt starts and stops
Add sound effects to enhance the viewing experience

5. Transitions

While cuts work for most situations, transitions can add polish when used appropriately:

Dissolves work well for time passage or mood changes
Wipes can add style but use sparingly
Zoom transitions create energy
Fade to black signals major scene changes or endings

The golden rule: use transitions purposefully, not just because they look cool.

Understanding and Using LUTs

LUTs (Look-Up Tables) are preset color grading files that transform your footage's colors in specific ways. Think of them as Instagram filters for video editing. They're incredibly useful for establishing consistent looks across multiple clips or projects.

How LUTs Work

A LUT takes the color information from your footage and maps it to new values based on a predetermined formula. This allows you to achieve professional-looking color grades instantly, which you can then fine-tune to perfection.

Free LUT Resources

Color Grading Central - 70 Free LUTs Color Grading Central offers an impressive pack of 70 free cinematic LUTs. This collection covers a wide range of looks from blockbuster film styles to vintage aesthetics. The variety makes it perfect for experimenting and finding your signature style. Website: colorgradingcentral.com

IWLTBAP (I Want to be a Filmmaker) This website offers a fantastic collection of free LUTs specifically designed for different camera types and situations. They have cinematic LUTs that work well for narrative content. Website: iwltbap.com/free-luts

Free Preset Free Preset provides both free and premium LUTs across various categories. Their free section includes options for travel, lifestyle, and cinematic looks. Website: freepreset.net

RocketStock RocketStock offers high-quality free LUTs along with tutorials on how to use them effectively. Their 35 free LUTs pack is particularly popular and versatile. Website: rocketstock.com

SmallHD SmallHD provides professional-grade LUTs for free, including their popular "Honeycomb" pack with looks inspired by popular films and TV shows. Website: smallhd.com/pages/luts

How to Apply LUTs

Most editing software has built-in LUT support:

In DaVinci Resolve: Go to Color tab → Click on LUTs → Browse for your LUT file → Apply

In Premiere Pro: Add Lumetri Color effect → Basic Correction → Input LUT → Browse

In Final Cut Pro: Add Custom LUT effect → Choose LUT file

Pro Tip: Always adjust the intensity of LUTs. Apply at 50-80% strength and fine-tune from there. LUTs are starting points, not final solutions.

Free Video Assets and Resources

Plugins and Effects

AE Juice Free Plugins AE Juice offers an incredible collection of free plugins for After Effects and Premiere Pro. Their free starter pack includes transitions, sound effects, presets, and animated elements. The plugins are professionally designed and can dramatically speed up your workflow. They also offer free presets every week. Website: aejuice.com/free-plugins

Adobe Basics Free Assets Adobe provides a treasure trove of free assets for Creative Cloud users, but many are accessible to everyone. This includes stock footage, graphics templates, sound effects, and fonts. The Adobe Stock free collection is regularly updated with high-quality content perfect for both personal and commercial projects. Website: adobe.com (Stock Free Collection)

Motion Bro Motion Bro is a free plugin manager for After Effects and Premiere Pro that gives you access to thousands of free presets, templates, and plugins. It's an excellent way to expand your toolkit without spending money. Website: motionbro.net

Animation Composer A free plugin for After Effects that includes over 100 free presets for transitions, effects, and animations. It's a huge time-saver for motion graphics work. Website: misterhorse.com/animation-composer

Stock Footage

Pexels Videos Pexels offers thousands of high-quality, copyright-free video clips. Perfect for b-roll or establishing shots. Website: pexels.com/videos

Pixabay Pixabay provides free stock videos, music, and sound effects. All content is released under the Pixabay License, making it safe for commercial use. Website: pixabay.com/videos

Videvo Videvo offers free stock footage, motion graphics, and After Effects templates. Both free and premium options available. Website: videvo.net

Coverr Coverr specializes in beautiful, looping background videos perfect for websites or video intros. Website: coverr.co

Sound Effects and Music

YouTube Audio Library Free music and sound effects provided by YouTube. All tracks are cleared for use in YouTube videos, with clear attribution requirements listed. Access through: YouTube Studio

Freesound A collaborative database of Creative Commons-licensed sounds. Great for specific sound effects. Website: freesound.org

Free Music Archive Curated collection of free music across all genres. Check individual licenses for usage rights. Website: freemusicarchive.org

Incompetech Kevin MacLeod's massive library of royalty-free music. Requires attribution but is free to use. Website: incompetech.com

Fonts and Graphics

DaFont Thousands of free fonts for titles and graphics. Check licenses for commercial use. Website: dafont.com

Font Squirrel 100% free fonts for commercial use. Hand-picked collection ensuring quality. Website: fontsquirrel.com

Canva While primarily a graphic design tool, Canva offers free templates perfect for creating YouTube thumbnails, lower thirds, and graphics. Website: canva.com

Templates and Graphics

Mixkit Mixkit provides completely free video templates, stock footage, music, and sound effects. Their After Effects and Premiere Pro templates are professionally designed and easy to customize. Website: mixkit.co

Motion Array Free Section Motion Array offers a rotating selection of free templates, stock footage, music, and plugins. While they have a premium subscription, their free section is updated weekly with high-quality assets. Website: motionarray.com/free

Vecteezy Free vector graphics, stock videos, and motion graphics templates. Perfect for creating animated logos, lower thirds, and graphic elements. Website: vecteezy.com

ProductionCrate Offers free VFX elements, stock footage, sound effects, and 3D models. Their VFX library includes fire, explosions, smoke, and other practical effects. Website: productioncrate.com

Building Your Editing Workflow

1. Organization is Key

Create a folder structure for each project:

Raw Footage
Audio
Graphics
Music
Project Files
Exports

Name your clips descriptively and use bins or folders in your editing software to stay organized.

2. Proxy Workflow for Smoother Editing

If you're working with 4K footage on a less powerful computer, create proxy files (lower resolution versions) for editing. Most modern editing software can automatically link these back to the original files for export.

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Learning keyboard shortcuts dramatically speeds up your workflow. Start with these essentials:

Play/Pause: Spacebar
Cut: Ctrl/Cmd + K
Undo: Ctrl/Cmd + Z
Save: Ctrl/Cmd + S

4. Regular Saves and Backups

Save your project frequently and maintain backup copies. Use auto-save features when available. Cloud storage or external drives can be lifesavers.

Advanced Tips for Better Edits

Tell a Story

Every video should have a beginning, middle, and end. Even a 30-second social media clip benefits from narrative structure. Ask yourself: What am I trying to communicate, and what's the best way to show it?

Watch Your Work

Step away from your edit and return with fresh eyes. Watch your video on different devices to ensure it works everywhere. Audio that sounds great on studio monitors might be muddy on phone speakers.

Study Professional Work

Analyze videos you admire. How do they pace their cuts? What transitions do they use? How is the color graded? Active viewing of professional content is one of the best learning tools.

Get Feedback

Share your work with others and be open to constructive criticism. Join online communities like Reddit's r/VideoEditing or forums specific to your editing software.

Practice Consistently

Like any skill, video editing improves with practice. Take on small projects, experiment with new techniques, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Every edit teaches you something new.

Export Settings for Different Platforms

YouTube:

Format: MP4
Codec: H.264
Resolution: 1080p or 4K
Frame Rate: 24, 30, or 60fps
Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps for 1080p

Instagram:

Format: MP4
Codec: H.264
Resolution: 1080x1080 (square), 1080x1350 (portrait), 1920x1080 (landscape)
Frame Rate: 30fps
Maximum length: 60 seconds (feed), 90 seconds (reels)

TikTok:

Format: MP4 or MOV
Resolution: 1080x1920 (vertical)
Frame Rate: 30fps
Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps

Conclusion

Mastering video editing is a journey, not a destination. The tools and resources outlined in this guide provide everything you need to start creating professional-quality videos. Remember that the best camera or the fanciest software won't make you a great editor—practice, creativity, and storytelling will.

Start with the free tools like DaVinci Resolve or CapCut, experiment with the techniques covered here, download some free LUTs to understand color grading, and most importantly, keep creating. Every project will teach you something new, and with time, you'll develop your own style and workflow.

The resources listed here are just starting points. As you grow more comfortable with editing, you'll discover new tools, techniques, and assets that work for your specific needs. Stay curious, keep learning, and don't be afraid to break the rules once you understand them.

Now stop reading and start editing. Your next great video is waiting to be created.