Presets are saved editing settings that you can apply to photos with one click. They are one of the easiest ways to speed up editing and create a consistent look across a set of images. They are also widely misunderstood: a preset is a starting point, not a finished edit.
This guide explains how presets work in Adobe Lightroom, how to make your own and how to get good results.
What Is a Preset?
A preset stores adjustment settings such as exposure, contrast, white balance, tone curve, color, sharpening and more. When you apply a preset, Lightroom changes those settings on your photo. Because photos differ in exposure and lighting, the same preset can look different on each image.
Presets vs. Profiles
- Profiles change how Lightroom interprets color and tone from the raw file. They are a foundation, and many include an amount slider.
- Presets change slider settings and can include a profile.
Lightroom includes built-in profiles and presets.
Applying Presets
- Open the Edit panel.
- Open the Presets section.
- Hover over presets to preview them.
- Click to apply.
- Use the Amount slider, if available, to adjust intensity.
Adjusting After Applying
After applying a preset, adjust:
- Exposure to correct brightness
- White balance to correct color temperature
- Highlights and shadows
- Crop and straighten
Treat presets as a starting point.
Creating Your Own Presets
- Edit a photo to a look you like.
- Open the Presets panel and choose to create a preset.
- Name the preset and choose a group.
- Select which settings to include.
What to Include
Exclude settings that depend on each photo, such as exposure, crop, white balance and local adjustments, unless you want them applied every time. Including only color and tone settings makes presets more versatile.
Building a Preset Collection
Organize presets by purpose:
- Base corrections for your camera
- Looks like warm, cool, matte or black and white
- Utility presets for sharpening, noise reduction or lens corrections
Batch Editing and Consistency
Apply a preset to multiple photos to create a consistent look across a set, such as a wedding, trip or real estate shoot. Then fine-tune each photo. Syncing settings from one photo to others is another way to speed up editing.
See our photo editing workflow.
Import Presets
Lightroom Classic lets you apply presets during import, which can apply base settings automatically.
Buying or Downloading Presets
Many photographers sell or share presets. Before buying:
- Check sample images on varied photos
- Make sure they work with your Lightroom version
- Understand they may look different on your photos
Free presets and those you make yourself can be just as useful.
Mobile and Desktop Sync
Presets can sync between Lightroom desktop and mobile through Adobe’s cloud, depending on the version you use.
Presets for Different Genres
Portraits
Soft contrast, skin-friendly colors and gentle sharpening.
Landscapes
Enhanced clarity, color and dehaze in moderation.
Real Estate
Bright, neutral and accurate colors. See real estate photography tips.
Drone Photos
Correct haze and adjust colors. See DJI Mini drones compared.
Common Pitfalls
- Overdoing it: Heavy presets can look dated.
- Ignoring exposure: Correct exposure first.
- Inconsistent white balance
- Over-sharpening and noise
Alternatives
Other editors support presets, styles or LUTs. The concepts carry over.
Making Presets Work on Different Cameras
Different camera models render colors differently. A preset made on one camera may look slightly different on another. If you use multiple cameras, consider making a base preset for each one that corrects color differences, then apply your creative look on top. This keeps a consistent look across bodies.
Using Presets With Masks
Newer Lightroom versions let presets include AI-based masks, such as sky or subject masks, that adapt to each photo. These can speed up common adjustments like brightening a subject or deepening a sky. Check results carefully, since automatic masks can miss edges.
Testing Presets
Before relying on a preset, test it on a range of photos: bright and dark, warm and cool, indoor and outdoor. Note where it breaks down and make variations, such as a version for low-light photos or one for strong midday sun.
Naming Conventions
Clear names save time. Include the purpose and strength, such as “Portrait – Warm Soft” or “Landscape – Cool Strong.” Grouping related presets keeps the panel manageable as your collection grows.
Backing Up Presets
Presets are small files, but recreating them takes time. Back them up with your catalog and photos, or export them periodically to a cloud folder.
Presets for Video and Mobile
Lightroom mobile can apply the same presets as desktop when synced, which is useful for editing on the go. For video, many editors use LUTs (lookup tables) rather than Lightroom presets. The concept is similar: a saved color transformation used as a starting point.
Developing Your Own Style
Your style develops over time. Studying photographs you admire, noting their colors, contrast and mood, and trying to recreate the feeling in your own images is a good exercise. Save the results as presets and refine them as your taste evolves.
Avoiding Preset Overload
It is easy to collect hundreds of presets and spend more time browsing than editing. Keep a small set of favorites, perhaps five to ten, that cover most of your needs. Move rarely used presets into an archive group. A smaller collection makes decisions faster and helps your photos look more consistent across projects.
Sharing Presets With a Team
If several people edit for the same brand or business, a shared preset set keeps results consistent. Document when to use each preset and which adjustments editors should make afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do presets work on JPEGs?
Yes, but raw files give more flexibility.
Why does a preset look different on my photo?
Photos have different exposure and lighting.
Can I edit after applying a preset?
Yes, and you usually should.
Should I buy presets?
They can be helpful, but creating your own is free and teaches editing.
What is the difference between a profile and a preset?
Profiles interpret raw data; presets change sliders.
The Bottom Line
Lightroom presets speed up editing and create consistent looks, but they work best as a starting point. Correct exposure and white balance after applying, build presets that exclude photo-specific settings and keep edits tasteful.
Editorial note: Shutter Roost is independent and reader-supported. This guide is based on research into manufacturer documentation, published specifications and widely accepted best practices; we have not been paid to mention any product. If we add affiliate links in the future, they will be clearly disclosed per our Affiliate Disclosure.
Photo: Photo editing by Håkan Dahlström from Malmö, Sweden, CC BY 2.0
