As a photographer, you may have come across the term "Lightroom presets" in your editing workflow. But what exactly are presets and should you consider using them? Let's delve into the world of Lightroom presets to help you determine if they are the right choice for your photography.
What are Lightroom presets?
Lightroom presets are pre-defined settings that can be applied to your photos with just a click. These settings include adjustments to exposure, contrast, color, and more, allowing you to quickly enhance your images without starting from scratch.
How can presets benefit your workflow?
By using Lightroom presets, you are able to quickly see a number of different styles & routes your photo could go. Often times, once you find a preset that works well with your photo, you can use that same preset on some, if not all of your other photos from that set to keep the look consistent. This helps you edit quicker, giving you time to take on multiple projects at once rather than individually editing every single picture from scratch.
On top of that, you can gain insight into other photographer's editing workflows by trying out their presets. Ever see someone's style and think, "Wow, this is amazing! How do I achieve that look"? Using their presets will show you the exact tricks they utilize to get whatever look it is that you're going for. Sure, you can use a reference photo instead and try to match it up as best as you can, but presets will help you find different & more accurate ways to achieve that result.
Does using a preset mean your photo will look exactly like the style the presets are made for?
No, it is important to note that just because you use a preset on a photo does not mean that it will look like the references from the photographer who made the preset. To achieve similar looks, it is important to first break down how the photo was shot. The foreground, background, colors, exposure, lighting, and composition play heavy roles in how the photo will turn out in the end. The edits will simply enhance the look and clean it up in a way that looks nice.
Where can I get presets?
Many photographers offer their presets online (and usually at a cost). Remember, not every preset pack is going to be super high quality. If you're looking for a place where you can find presets for your style that have been quality-verified, I recommend grabbing them from The Visual Crate. The Visual Crate is a website designed for photographers and videographers to have a hub of resources, freebies, a community, and digital products that are verified and top-quality at a fair price.
So, should you use presets in your editing process?
Ultimately, the decision to use Lightroom presets depends on your personal preferences and editing goals. If you are looking to streamline your editing process, gain inspiration from other photographers, or experiment with different editing styles, presets can be a valuable tool in your workflow.
However, it's important to remember that presets are not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's essential to use presets as a starting point and make further adjustments to suit your individual vision and style.
Whether you choose to use Lightroom presets or not, the most important thing is to stay true to your artistic vision and continue to develop your skills as a photographer.