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How do you develop effective preset editing techniques for different photography sty
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I've been creating and selling Lightroom presets for about 3 years now, and I'm constantly refining my approach to preset editing techniques. What I've noticed is that a lot of people just slap on a preset and call it a day, but that rarely works well across different types of photos.
My question is: how do you develop effective preset editing techniques that actually adapt to different photography styles? Like, how do you create presets that work for both portrait photography and landscape shots, or for different lighting conditions?
I've been experimenting with using the calibration panel more heavily in my preset editing techniques, especially for getting consistent skin tones across different lighting. Also, creating separate presets for highlights, midtones, and shadows seems to give more flexibility.
What are your approaches to developing preset editing techniques that are actually useful and versatile?
This is such an important topic! I've bought so many presets that looked amazing on the sample images but completely failed on my own photos. The key to effective preset editing techniques, in my experience, is building them with adjustment ranges rather than fixed values.
For example, instead of setting the shadows slider to +20, I create presets that use ranges like shadows: +10 to +30 depending on image." This means the preset needs to be part of a workflow where you evaluate each image and adjust within those ranges.
Another approach I use is creating "foundation presets" that handle basic corrections (exposure, white balance, lens corrections) and then building style presets on top of those. This separation makes preset editing techniques much more adaptable because the foundation preset gets the image to a neutral starting point.
Also, I've found that the most versatile preset editing techniques involve the tone curve and HSL panels more than the basic sliders. Basic sliders affect the image too globally, while curves and HSL let you target specific tonal ranges and colors.
From a mobile perspective, preset editing techniques are a bit different because the apps have limitations. What I've found works best is creating presets that are more about looks" than technical corrections.
Like, I have presets for "golden hour warmth," "moody blues," "bright and airy," etc. These presets are designed to work on photos that are already properly exposed and white balanced. Trying to make a preset that fixes exposure AND applies a style rarely works well across different images.
Another mobile preset editing technique that's helped me is using the "save current look" feature in apps like VSCO or Lightroom mobile, but only saving the color adjustments. I leave exposure, contrast, and other basic adjustments to be done per image because those vary so much.
Also, I've learned that mobile preset editing techniques need to account for different phone cameras. An iPhone photo and a Samsung photo have different color science, so presets need to be flexible enough to work with both.
Having tested hundreds of presets across different platforms, I've noticed that the most effective preset editing techniques share some common characteristics.
First, they use relative adjustments rather than absolute values. Instead of clarity +20," they might use "clarity +10 to +30" with instructions to adjust based on the image. This is crucial for preset editing techniques that need to work across different photography styles.
Second, the best preset editing techniques often involve creating presets in pairs or sets - one for correcting and one for styling. The correction preset handles exposure, white balance, and lens issues, while the style preset applies the creative look. This separation makes the preset editing techniques much more versatile.
Third, I've found that presets that heavily use the calibration panel (in Lightroom) tend to be more adaptable than those relying solely on basic sliders. The calibration panel affects colors in a more fundamental way that seems to translate better across different images.
Also, documenting your preset editing techniques is super important. Note what each preset is designed for, what camera settings it works best with, and how to adjust it for different conditions.
Coming from a design background, my approach to preset editing techniques is a bit different. I think of presets more like styles" in design software - they're starting points that need customization.
One technique I use is creating presets with adjustment layers in Photoshop that can be turned on/off or adjusted individually. This is different from Lightroom presets, but the principle is similar: build flexibility into your preset editing techniques.
For example, I might create a portrait retouching preset that includes separate layers for skin smoothing, eye enhancement, teeth whitening, and color grading. Each layer has its opacity and blending mode set to something that works well generally, but can be adjusted per image.
Another preset editing technique I've found useful is creating "action sets" rather than single actions. In Photoshop, you can record a series of actions that accomplish a complex edit, and then save that as a set. This is more flexible than a single preset because you can run individual actions from the set as needed.
Also, I always include a "reset" layer or adjustment in my preset editing techniques - something that lets me easily go back to the original if an adjustment doesn't work.
These are all excellent points! As someone who actually sells presets, I've had to develop preset editing techniques that work for customers with varying skill levels and different types of photos.
One technique I use is creating adaptive presets" that include instructions for adjustment. For example, a preset might come with a note like "adjust the orange saturation slider based on skin tone - reduce for fair skin, increase for darker skin." This turns the preset from a one-click solution into a teaching tool.
Another preset editing technique I've developed is using the camera calibration panel to create different "film stock" looks that are more adaptable than HSL adjustments. Film emulation presets seem to work across more image types because they're based on how film actually responds to light and color.
I also create presets in "families" - a base preset plus variations. So you might have a "moody portrait" preset, plus variations for "moody portrait - warm," "moody portrait - cool," "moody portrait - high contrast," etc. This gives users options within a consistent style.
The most important preset editing technique I've learned is testing on hundreds of different images before releasing a preset. If it only works on the sample images I shot, it's not a good preset.
I use presets mostly for consistency across product images in my reviews. My preset editing techniques are all about efficiency and repeatability.
One technique that's worked well for me is creating presets for specific lighting setups. So I have studio softbox preset," "window light preset," "overcast outdoor preset," etc. Each preset is optimized for the color temperature and contrast range of that specific lighting condition.
Another preset editing technique I use is creating "correction presets" for specific cameras. Different cameras have different color profiles, so I have presets that neutralize my iPhone's tendency toward cool blues and my Sony's tendency toward warm greens. Applying the camera correction preset first, then the style preset, gives much more consistent results.
Also, I've found that keeping presets simple works better than trying to make them do everything. A preset that adjusts 20 different sliders is harder to tweak than one that adjusts 5 key sliders. My preset editing techniques focus on the most impactful adjustments and leave the fine-tuning for manual editing.
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