A preset is a saved collection of editing settings that can be applied to multiple photos with one click. Presets streamline workflows, ensure consistency across images, and serve as starting points for further refinement.
How Presets Work
When you develop a look you like in Lightroom or another editor, you can save those exact adjustments as a preset. This includes exposure, contrast, color grading, tone curves, sharpening, and any other modifications. Applying that preset to another image instantly recreates those settings, though you’ll typically fine-tune for each specific photo.
Types of Presets
- Import presets – Applied during photo import for consistent starting point
- Development presets – Full editing recipes for specific looks or genres
- Export presets – Save output settings (file format, size, sharpening)
- Local adjustment presets – Saved settings for brushes and graduated filters
- LUTs – Color lookup tables for video-style color grading
Creating Effective Presets
Build presets from well-exposed, neutral images for maximum versatility. Avoid extreme exposure corrections in presets—they won’t translate well to differently lit photos. Focus on color grading, tone curves, and stylistic choices. Create presets for specific scenarios: outdoor portraits, wedding reception lighting, blue hour cityscapes, etc.
Popular Preset Styles
- Film emulation – Recreate looks of classic film stocks
- Matte finish – Lifted blacks for modern, faded aesthetic
- High contrast black and white – Dramatic monochrome conversions
- Warm golden hour – Enhance sunset tones
- Cool/teal and orange – Popular cinematic color grading
Using Presets in Lightroom
In Lightroom, presets appear in the Develop module’s Presets panel. Hover over them to preview the effect before applying. After applying a preset, adjust exposure, white balance, and other settings to perfect the image. You can also modify preset strength by using the History panel to reduce the effect.
Presets vs. Profiles
While presets apply specific adjustment values, profiles modify how RAW data is interpreted (like choosing a camera’s picture style). Profiles stack with adjustments, while presets replace them. Combining the right profile with a preset gives you powerful creative control. Modern Lightroom offers both options for maximum flexibility.
Building Your Preset Library
Start by creating presets for your most common shooting situations. Organize them into folders by category: portraits, landscapes, events, etc. Test presets on various images to ensure they’re versatile. Update and refine your presets as your style evolves. A well-organized preset library is one of the best investments in editing efficiency.