If you’re a photographer, chances are you’ve heard of Lightroom presets. But what are they, exactly? And more importantly, should you be using them? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what Lightroom presets are and how they can help streamline your workflow. We’ll also dispel some common myths about presets and show you how to use them effectively. So if you’re curious about Lightroom presets and what they can do for your photography, read on!
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What are Lightroom Presets?
When you hear the word “presets” in relation to Lightroom, it might conjure up images of pre-made filters that you can apply to your photos with a single click. And while that’s certainly one type of preset, it’s not the only kind. Lightroom presets are actually vastly versatile and can be used to streamline your entire workflow, from import to export. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Lightroom presets are and how they can be used to save time and improve your photo editing process.
What are Lightroom Presets?
In short, Adobe Lightroom presets are a set of saved edits that can be applied to one or more photos. These edits can include everything from white balance adjustments to exposure tweaks to Splits toning changes. When you create a preset, you’re essentially creating a custom filter that can be applied with just a few clicks. This is opposed to having to manually make the same edits to each photo every time you want to achieve a certain look. Not only does this save time, but it also allows for consistency across your photos if you want them all to have a similar feel.
There are two types of presets in Lightroom: local and developing. Local presets are those that are applied directly to an image or group of images without affecting the underlying RAW file. This means that any changes made with local presets can easily be undone without
How to Use Lightroom Presets
If you’re new to Lightroom presets, or just want to know how to use them, here’s a quick guide. First, make sure you have the latest version of Lightroom installed. Presets are compatible with both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC.
Once you’ve updated Lightroom, go to the Develop module and click on the Presets tab. Here you’ll see all of the default presets that come with Lightroom, as well as any custom presets you’ve installed. To apply a preset, simply click on it and the changes will be applied to your photo.
You can also create your own custom presets by clicking on the New Preset button. This will open up a dialog box where you can choose which settings you want to include in your preset. Once you’ve selected the settings you want, give your preset a name and click Save. Your new preset will now appear in the Presets tab.
The Different Types of Lightroom Presets
If you’re new to Lightroom presets, or even if you’ve been using them for a while, it’s important to know the different types of presets that are available. There are four main types of Lightroom presets: Develop, Export, Import, and Print.
Develop Presets:
Develop presets are the most common type of preset and are used to adjust the look of a photo in the Develop module. These presets can be used to make global changes to a photo or to make specific adjustments such as exposure, contrast, white balance, etc.
Export Presets:
Export presets are used when exporting photos from Lightroom. These presets can be used to save time by pre-configuring export settings such as file format, resolution, and more.
Import Presets:
Import presets are used when importing photos into Lightroom. These presets can be used to automate the import process by specifying default settings for things like file naming, metadata, keywords, and more.
Print Presets:
Print presets are used when printing photos from Lightroom. These presets can be used to save time by pre-configuring print settings such as paper size, printer calibration, page layout, and more.
Pros and Cons of Lightroom Presets
When it comes to Lightroom presets, there are pros and cons to consider. On the one hand, presets can help you achieve a consistent look for your photos and save you time in post-processing. On the other hand, they can also be limiting if you use them excessively or without understanding how they work.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using Lightroom presets:
Pros:
+ Achieving a Consistent Look: If you use the same preset for all of your photos, you can achieve a consistent look across your entire body of work. This is especially helpful if you’re shooting for a specific project or client.
+ Time-Saver: Applying a preset to your photo can be much quicker than making individual adjustments manually. This is especially helpful if you have a large batch of photos to edit.
+ Creates a Starting Point: Presets can be used as starting points for your editing process. From there, you can make further adjustments to customize the look of your photo.
Cons:
– Can Be Excessive: If you use too many presets, it can give your photos an artificial look. It’s important to find a balance and only use presets as needed.
– Can Be Limited: Presets are designed to offer a certain degree of flexibility, but they can also be limiting if you don’t understand how they work. It’s important to experiment with different presets
Where to Find the Best Lightroom Presets
There are a lot of great places to find Lightroom Presets. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. The Adobe Add-Ons website is a great place to start your search. They have a huge selection of both free and paid presets, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.
2. Another great option is the Sleeklens website. They offer an extensive collection of free Lightroom Presets, as well as some premium options if you’re willing to spend a little bit of money.
3. For those who like to keep things simple, the Free Lightroom Presets website offers a small but high-quality selection of presets that are all completely free to download and use.
4. Finally, we also recommend checking out the Envato Elements website. They offer an ever-growing library of Lightroom Presets (as well as other creative resources) that you can access with a monthly subscription.
How to Install Lightroom Presets
Assuming you have already downloaded the presets to your computer, follow these instructions to install them in Lightroom:
1. Open Lightroom and go to the Develop module.
2. Click on the Presets tab, located in the left panel.
3. Click on the menu icon in the top-right corner of the Presets panel and select Import Presets.
4. Locate the preset files (ending in .lrtemplate) on your computer and click Import.
5. The presets will now be available in the Presets panel for use on your photos!
Conclusion
Lightroom presets are a fantastic way to save time while editing photos, and they can also help you to achieve a consistent look across all of your images. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, Lightroom presets can help you to streamline your workflow and get the most out of your photos. However, it’s important to remember that presets are not one-size-fits-all — be sure to experiment with different presets to find the ones that work best for your style of photography.
