What Are Lightroom Presets & How Do You Use Them?

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been editing photos in Lightroom for years, chances are you’ve heard plenty about Lightroom presets—sometimes with more hype than clarity. Here’s a straightforward guide to what presets really are, why you might want to use them, how to get started, and some practical advice on navigating the world of preset packs online.

What Are Lightroom Presets?

Lightroom presets are pre-made sets of editing adjustments you can apply to your photos with a single click. Imagine a ready-mixed recipe: a preset is essentially a saved combination of sliders—covering exposure, contrast, colour, sharpening, and more—that instantly gives a photo a particular look. Presets can be used to:

• Create consistent style across a series of images

• Quickly try out different “looks” without spending ages on manual tweaking

• Learn how others edit by inspecting the settings applied

Lightroom comes with its own collection of built-in presets (find these in the Develop module, on the left-hand side in the Presets panel), but you can also import pre-created presets or even create your own.

Why Should You Use Presets?

Presets can be a helpful tool in your editing workflow, especially for:

• Speed: Instantly apply your favourite editing style across multiple images.

• Consistency: Maintain a uniform look throughout a project, or portfolio.

• Learning: By examining a preset’s settings, you can see what changes make a particular look, which is especially helpful for beginners.

• Experimentation: Try out bold or unusual styles risk-free—you can always undo or adjust further.

Presets remove some of the intimidation that comes with starting every edit from scratch. They let you spend less time behind the computer and more time behind the camera or sharing your work with others.

How to Use Presets in Lightroom

Getting started with presets is easy:

1. Open Your Photo in the Develop Module.

2. Locate the Presets Panel on the left; click to reveal the list. Lightroom’s built-in sets are grouped by category (“Color,” “Creative,” etc.).

3. Click a Preset to instantly see how it looks on your image. You can always click another to try different styles.

4. Fine-Tune the Result: Presets are starting points—most images will need further adjustment, such as exposure or white balance, depending on the original capture.

5. Save Your Favourite Settings: Once you’ve dialled in a look you like, you can easily save your own preset for future use.

Presets can speed things up, but the best results come from adapting each edit to the specific needs of the photo.

A Word of Caution: Don’t Overpay for Preset Packs

The market is flooded with preset packs promising magical one-click transformations—sometimes for eye-watering prices. Before parting with your money, consider the following:

• Presets aren’t “magic bullets.” Lighting, subject, and camera settings all affect how a preset looks on each photo. A preset that works beautifully on someone else’s image might need major tweaks on yours.

• Free options abound: Lightroom comes with many quality presets to start with, and many respected photographers offer free or low-cost packs that are perfectly good for most uses.

• You can create your own presets: Once you’ve edited a few pictures, saving your preferred settings as a preset takes just a few seconds and ensures the look truly matches your style.

• Expensive doesn’t always mean better: Some paid presets are little more than basic slider combinations dressed up in fancy marketing. Don’t feel you’re missing out if you stick to freebies or DIY solutions.

Top tip: If you do wish to try commercial presets, look for sellers who offer sample previews, clear usage instructions, and a modest price.

Final Thoughts

Lightroom presets can be a genuine time-saver and a fantastic way to explore new editing approaches, but they’re best treated as creative springboards, not instant solutions. With a bit of practice, you’ll find it’s just as rewarding—and often more effective—to develop your own sets of adjustments, tailored to your unique eye and shooting style. And your wallet will thank you, too.

The built-in presents within Lightroom Classic

Want some help improving your photography skills?

Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also  offer residential workshops for beginner photographers or improving photographers.

About Gary Holpin Photography

As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.

I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.

As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.