The very first time I learned of Lightroom presets, I thought they were simply fancy filters with another name. You know, Instagram aesthetic but for "professional" editors. I downloaded a few from some random website, threw them on my photos, and. they were awful. Not even the presets were to blame - I was simply clueless.
Skip forward a year or so, and I create presets for myself - and people actually request them in turn. Wild, huh?
So, if you want to know how presets actually work, how to make your own, and why they're a whole lot more effective than one-click fixes, let me explain it to you in simple terms - no technology speak, no filler.
Presets Aren't Miracles. But They're Close Enough
Let's debunk the biggest myth: Presets do not take a poor photograph and make it good. They simply make the best of what is there. Presets are like seasoning. Salt can't fix burnt food, but with the right ingredients? It makes everything better.
Presets are saved settings - exactly the changes you've made in Lightroom, stored so you can reuse the same look later. Really useful if you're curating 50 shots from a shoot and you want them to look uniform.
But the best part is, you can make your own presets to suit your taste. Don’t wait for another person's energy. Create your own.
Why You Should Produce Your Own (Even If You're Just Beginning)
Yes, I understand. I know that there is an urge to simply download 20 presets and cycle through them until one sticks. I used to do that too. But the fact is: your photos need to have a look of their own - not a replica of the latest trend.
If you create your own preset:
It suits your style of shooting (lighting, place, camera).
You comprehend every aspect of what it's doing.
You become faster and more confident with each edit.
In addition, let's not forget - it also feels cool to say, "Oh yeah, that's my custom preset."
Therefore, How Do You Really Create a Lightroom Preset?
Okay, let's dig in to the good stuff. This is how I generally do things:
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Begin with One Great Image
Choose a picture that you adore - one which reflects the mood or look that you wish to convey. Does not have to be perfect. Simply something you like to look at.
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Editing with Purpose
It's the big one. You're not fooling around here. You're creating a look. So go step by step:
Basic panel: adjust exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows.
Curves: Apply a gentle fade or aggressive contrast.
Color Grading/HSL: Tweak your color palette. Moody blues? Warm tones? Have at it.
Effects: Add grain or vignettes if you prefer that vintage feel.
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Try It on Other Photos
This is the point. A good preset is applicable across many images. Use it on a different shoot's picture. If it completely kills the shot, go back and try adjusting. Tweak and tweak until it applies more broadly.
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Save It as a Preset
After that point:
On the Desktop, open the Presets panel and click the “+” > Create Preset.
Call it something distinctive - such as "Dusty Summer Mood" or "Warm Mocha Vibe." Nobody recalls "Preset 4."
You can even categorize them in batches. I can assure you, you'll appreciate this later on when your preset library is sizable.
Hard Won Wisdom: A Real Person's Guide to Life
Presets are not finish lines but starting points. You'll almost always have to adjust exposure, white balance, etc., based on the picture.
One preset won't do the job for everything. I've got different ones for golden hour, overcast skies, and studio work.
Avoid over-processing. Don’t over-adjust every slider purely because you can. A good preset is well-balanced, not flashy.
Also, save many versions of your favorites - such as "Cinematic Soft" and "Cinematic Bold." Occasionally, subtlety is the key. Other times, you're looking for the drama.
Sharing and Selling Presets: It's a Thing
After creating a few that you adore, you might find that people ask for them. And yes - you can absolutely export and share them.
In desktop Lightroom, right-click the preset and go to "Export." You'll have a resulting .xmp file that other people can import in their own Lightroom.
Individuals make money off of selling presets online. Just a heads up, however - unless you have a distinctive look or a good audience, you might find it difficult to stand out. Nonetheless, showcasing your style is an excellent way to connect with fellow creatives.
Final Thought: Your Style Warrants Its Own Preset Presets are not only used for faster editing. Presets are used to create a visual aesthetic. You'll see over time that there are certain tones, contrast, and atmosphere that just feel "you." Save that. Package it up. Save it as a preset. The more you edit and revise, the more refined your work will become - and the more you can trust that you're not depending on anyone else's definition of "good editing." Then the next time you complete an edit and think to yourself, "Wow, I wish I could use this look again," do so. Save it. Give it a name. This is how your personal style begins to emerge - a preset at a time.
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