If you're a photographer in search of the best Lightroom presets to elevate your post-production workflow, we've got you covered!
Adobe Lightroom presets are the perfect solution for taking your pictures from average to outstanding! With the right preset, you can unlock special effects and predefined color palettes that will transform ordinary photos into something extraordinary. In this post, we’ll review our favorite Lightroom presets and share tips on how to get creative with your photography.
Do Professional Photographers Use Lightroom Presets?
As a professional photographer, you might be wondering what the fuss is all about when it comes to Lightroom presets. Are they just a shortcut for lazy photographers? Or do they actually serve a purpose?Â
The truth is, presets can be incredibly useful for a variety of reasons.
First off, they can save you time. Instead of spending hours tweaking each individual photo, you can apply a preset and make adjustments from there.
Additionally, presets can help you achieve a cohesive look across all your photos – perfect for branding purposes. And let's not forget about the creative potential that presets offer.Â
They can inspire you to experiment with new styles and techniques that you may not have otherwise considered.
So yes, professional photographers do use Lightroom presets – and for good reason!
Best Free Lightroom Presets
Street View
Designed with street photographers in mind, this preset enhances the details of your photos, especially in high-lit areas like the sky, to give your shots an extra dimension of vibrancy. The effect is almost like giving your photos a warm hug, adding brightness and a cozy feeling to your images.
Beautiful Sunrise
This preset is the perfect tool for those moments when the lighting just isn't quite right yet. With just a few clicks, you'll be able to transform your sunrise shots into breathtaking works of art. This preset enhances the rich colors of any landscape, making them more vibrant and alive. Perfect for all your outdoor images, Beautiful Sunrise really can make your landscape photos pop.
Cinematic HDR
Do you ever wish your photos had that polished, cinematic look? This preset adds a dramatic, high-contrast effect to your images, similar to what you might see in a Hollywood movie. But we have to warn you – it might not work for every photo. The effect can look a bit over-the-top on certain images, so we encourage you to experiment and see what works best for your style.
The Quantum Collection
This free Lightroom preset collection, which consists of 16 presets and each with standard and dynamic types, creates stunning visual effects that’ll add an instant wow factor to your shots. What's more, each preset comes in three different intensity levels to allow you to customize your photos according to your preferences.
Eric Kim Lightroom Presets
With both monochromatic and color versions available, these high-contrast presets will transform your images into stunning works of art. Whether you're aiming to create dramatic black-and-white portraits or vibrant landscapes bursting with color, these presets offer endless possibilities to enhance your photography skills.
BeArt Presets
This free Lightroom preset instantly increases color vibrancy, smooths skin tones, and gives your images that extra pop without ever overdoing it. Plus, with this preset being completely free, you can't go wrong.
Skyfall
If you're looking to add a dynamic touch to your landscape photography, the Skyfall Lightroom preset is a game-changer. With its eye-catching pink hues and moody undertones, this free preset will truly take your photos to the next level. By decreasing contrast, Skyfall creates a softer overall feel, allowing your subject to take center stage amongst the dreamy, picturesque sky.
No Man Before Lightroom Presets
Are you a travel photographer looking to give your images that extra pop? This free preset adds a wonderful glow and warm tone to your shots, instantly improving their visual impact. Whether you're capturing scenic landscapes or bustling city streets, this preset will enhance your images and showcase your unique perspective.
Best Lightroom Presets: Premium Versions
The Luxe Lens
This paid Lightroom preset offers a variety of packages to choose from, catering to specific styles and subjects like portraits, landscapes, and weddings. The Luxe Lens also has presets for those precious newborn and first-year moments, making it a perfect addition for those with little ones in tow.Â
With packages starting at just $12, you can have access to professionally curated editing tools that will ultimately save you time and effort when it comes to perfecting your photos.
Boho Wedding Lightroom Presets Pack
For just $12, you can elevate your photos to the next level with 10 stunning presets with both mobile presets and desktop. This pack is specifically designed to capture the essence of bohemian-inspired weddings, with warm and earthy tones that exude romance and whimsy. Perfect for any wedding photographer!
Golden Hour Lightroom Presets
Picture this: You're out on a shoot, chasing the gorgeous light of the golden hour. It's the perfect moment – the kind of light that's equal parts soft and dramatic. But then, reality hits. You get home and look at the photos, only to realize that the magic of the golden hour didn't quite translate.
That's where our Golden Hour Lightroom Presets come in. These presets give your images that warm, inviting tint that we all associate with the golden hour – no matter what time of day your photos were actually taken. And the best part? It's just $19 for the entire set.
Noir et Blanc Lightroom Presets
Have you been on the hunt for the perfect black-and-white preset to add a touch of classic beauty to your photos? Designed to give your images a timeless elegance, these Noir et Blanc Lightroom Presets are the best of the best when it comes to creating stunning black-and-white photos with just a few clicks. And the best part? It won't break the bank – just $9 for a pack of presets that will transform your photography game.
Analog Film Lightroom Presets
Are you tired of endlessly scrolling through Lightroom looking for the perfect preset to give your photos that vintage film look? Look no further, because the Analog Film Lightroom Preset pack has got you covered. With over 100 unique styles to choose from, inspired by classic film stocks like Kodak, Fujifilm, and Agfa, you're sure to find the perfect one to make your photos stand out for $19.
FoodKit
Food photography is all about capturing the essence of delicious cuisine and presenting it in the most appetizing way possible. That's where the FoodKit Lightroom preset comes in, with its 42 unique effects designed specifically for food photography. Whether you're going for a bright and crisp look or something a little more moody and atmospheric, FoodKit has you covered with its range of effects.
Legacy Elle-May Presets
Legacy Elle-May Presets are a must-try if you're a photographer seeking that vintage, classic touch in your images. Although it's pricey at $50, these paid Lightroom presets give you the power to transform your photos into a vivid display of old-school beauty. It's like taking a step back in time and being able to capture that magic for your present-day clients or personal projects.
Lightgram Magazine Lightroom Presets
For just $29, you'll get twenty unique presets that will elevate your shots to a whole new level of professionalism. Whether you're going for a vintage cross-processed look or looking for something with vibrant colors, this collection of presets works for all kinds of photography.
Final Thoughts
If you're serious about photography, then you likely already know how important finding the best Lightroom presets can be. They're a shortcut to achieving a certain look or style in your photos, without spending hours tinkering with individual settings.
With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose which ones to use. That's why we've rounded up the 16 best Lightroom presets to use in 2023. Whether you're a portrait photographer, a landscape photographer, or just someone who loves to take photos, you're bound to find a preset that fits your style and vision.