6 Things To Know About Lightroom Presets
Now that you’ve installed Lightroom, it’s time to learn about the presets. So, how do they work?
If you’re new to Lightroom, or just want to brush up on the basics, then you’ve came to the right place! In this article, we’ll talk about Lightroom presets, and how you can use them on mobile, so that you can use them, and enjoy professionally edited photos on social media. Cover photo by: Redd Angelo
With that in mind, here are 6 things to know about Lightroom presets:
Define Lightroom Presets
First, it’s important to define the presets that you want on Lightroom. In layman’s terms, these presets are basically advanced Instagram filters. All you do is upload a photo, click one button, and you go from there with the preset.
Basically, Lightroom presets will completely change the look of your photo, according to the style that you choose. Just pick from a wide selection of presets that do one of the following:
- Create a clean and minimalist style by reducing the number of colors in the photo, OR
- Add vibrancy and aqua tones to the photo
Where Presets Are Used
While Lightroom for your phone allows you to use presets in its free version, should you wish to edit on a desktop computer, then you would need to purchase a monthly membership to use Adobe Lightroom, which costs about $10 a month. The premium version, so to speak, is mainly for more expert users – photographers, designers, marketers, business owners, etc. – or, at the very least, users who tend to use the program frequently. In any case, expert users would have access to all of the tools with the Adobe Lightroom.
Though, regardless of each version you use, the possibilities are still endless when you edit your photos with Lightroom.
How To Use Them
With the app purchased and downloaded, you can download it onto your computer or phone as a zip file, or as a file that consists of individual DNG files (the individual presets). All you have to do is unzip the folder to access the individual presets, when needed. Plus, the package usually comes with instructions (which is good news for novices). If not, then look to our guide here!
Using Them on Your Mobile Phone
Open the Lightroom app on your phone. Then, just as you would upload photos to the app to edit photos, upload the DNG files (your presets). Once you upload your photos to your Lightroom album, pick which preset you want to use.
If you’d like to rename the DNG files to make them easier to find, then you may do so in the app. Then select and open, where you’ll see three dots at the top. Tap the three dots, select “copy settings,” and then tap “ok.” Then, return to your album and select the photo that you wish to edit. Finally, tap the three dots and select “paste settings” to apply the preset to the photo.
Using Presets On Desktop
Here’s how to use the presets on your desktop:
- Open Lightroom on your desktop.
- In the top menu bar, click on Lightroom > Preferences > Presets. Click on the “Show Lightroom Presets” folder. Double-click the “Lightroom” folder, and then double-click the “Develop Presets” folder.
- Open finder (or documents) with the new presets.
- Copy the preset folder and paste it into the “Develop Presets” folder.
- Close Lightroom, and then open it again.
- Import photos into the Lightroom library, if you haven’t done so already.
- From the editing bar on the side, select and choice which preset(s) to apply to your photo.
Tips On Photography
Photo: Matt Moloney
When taking photos, consider the lighting and the elements. That means making small adjustments here and there before and during Lightroom. Just know that a good preset involves very few adjustments afterwards.
Here are some recommendations to have decent photos and play with effects:
- Shoot photos in natural lighting.
- Use straight things (e.g. walls, trees, etc.) as physical guides.
- Make sharpness a priority when capturing up close objects, sites, etc.
Related: Top 10 Professional Digital Photography Tips
Conclusion
While editing photos will take time, since you’re essentially playing around with features, this guide can be a resource, in case you get stuck on something. By all means, use this guide to not only better understand Lightroom, but also use the presets in more effective ways than one, and make your photos stand out for people to see!
Special thanks to Michael Dehoyos for this article and guide on Lightroom Presets.
Author Bio:
Michael Dehoyos writes and edits at Write My Coursework and Origin Writings. As a content marketer, he helps companies improve their marketing strategies and concepts.
