Ever returned from a dream trip with hundreds of photos, only to find them looking flat, dull, or just… meh? Yeah, me too—until I discovered the magic of Lightroom presets. Whether you’re shooting sunrises in Santorini or street scenes in Bangkok, presets can take your travel photography from “decent” to “dang, that’s a postcard!” in a snap.
Let’s unpack what makes Lightroom presets a game-changer, how to use them without falling into the cookie-cutter trap, and a few tips from my personal editing workflow after 10+ years behind the lens.
What Are Lightroom Presets, Really?
At their core, presets are just saved settings for Adobe Lightroom. Think of them as digital recipes for editing your photos—adjustments to exposure, contrast, white balance, clarity, tone curves, color grading, and more—all applied with a single click.
You can create your own presets, buy them, download free ones, or modify existing ones to fit your style. They’re the ultimate time-saver and creativity booster. But don’t mistake them for a magic wand. Like a good marinade, they still need the right ingredients (your photo) to work.
Why Travel Photography and Presets Go Hand-in-Hand
Travel photography often throws you into wildly different lighting conditions—blazing deserts, moody mountain trails, golden hour beaches, fluorescent street markets. You need consistency, and you need speed. Here’s why presets are ideal for travel photographers:
- Speedy Workflow: Editing hundreds of images? Presets cut that time in half.
- Style Consistency: If you want a cohesive Instagram feed or portfolio, presets make it possible.
- Learning Tool: For beginners, applying a preset can show how certain adjustments affect the final image—like training wheels for your editing eye.
Don’t just take it from me—professional photographers often use presets as part of their editing workflow to maintain a signature style.
How I Use Lightroom Presets in My Editing Workflow
Let me walk you through a typical editing session after a weeklong trip. Let’s say I’ve just returned from Alaska (because yes, it’s just as dramatic as it looks).
- Import & Cull – I import everything into Lightroom and ruthlessly cut the keepers from the maybes.
- Apply a Preset – I usually have a folder of location-specific or vibe-specific presets I’ve built over time. For Alaska, I’ll apply a moody, desaturated preset with boosted clarity and cool tones.
- Fine-Tune Adjustments – This is crucial. Presets are starting points. I tweak exposure, highlights, shadows, and white balance to suit each image. Sometimes, I’ll even stack another preset or layer local adjustments.
- Export in Batches – Once I’ve got my final edits, I export in high-res for print or web-optimized formats for blog and social.
This combo of efficiency and customization is why Lightroom presets have a permanent spot in my editing toolkit.
The Dos and Don’ts of Using Presets
DO:
- Customize the settings after applying. Every photo is different.
- Invest in quality presets from creators whose work you admire.
- Use presets to define a style or visual language.
DON’T:
- Slap on a preset and hit export.
- Use the same preset for every photo across vastly different lighting conditions.
- Over-edit. It’s tempting, but restraint = timelessness.
Where to Find Great Presets (Including Free Ones)
If you’re not ready to make your own just yet, start with these:
- Adobe Creative Cloud Presets: Comes with your subscription—don’t sleep on them.
- FilterGrade: Offers both free and paid presets from real photographers.
- Presetpro: Great for cinematic and travel vibes.
- Photonify: Has a clean, polished selection.
- Lookslikefilm: A more artistic take, perfect for mood-heavy shots.
Want to roll your own? Just edit a photo, go to the Presets panel, click the “+” icon, and boom—you’ve got a custom preset.
Case Study: The “Egyptian Temple” Shot
While walking the ancient pyramids, I snapped a chaotic yet beautiful scene: textiles, spices, and a splash of golden light.
Out of camera? Kinda flat.
After applying my “North Africa Warm” preset: warmth dialed up, clarity boosted, shadows lifted slightly. I adjusted exposure manually and reduced orange saturation to keep skin tones looking natural. Final shot? Framed in my studio.
Presets don’t just save time—they help you see differently.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make with Presets (And How to Avoid Them)
- Relying Too Heavily on Them: Presets are tools, not shortcuts to greatness.
- Ignoring White Balance: A preset can throw off color tones if your white balance isn’t calibrated.
- One-Click and Done Syndrome: Every photo deserves a few seconds of your attention.
- Using Inconsistent Styles: Your blog or feed should have a rhythm. Don’t jump from pastel film to high-contrast HDR every post.
Creating Your Own Signature Look
Eventually, you’ll outgrow other people’s presets. That’s a good thing.
Start saving your favorite settings and build a style library. Maybe you like punchy contrast, deep shadows, and warm mid-tones. Maybe you’re more into pastel skies and film grain. Whatever your taste, presets allow you to express it consistently.
Pro tip: Build a few base presets for common scenarios—like “Golden Hour,” “Blue Hour,” “Overcast City,” and “Indoor Cafe.” These give you a strong head start every time.
Lightroom Mobile Presets for Editing on the Go
I’m often editing in airports, hotel lobbies, or (don’t judge) while waiting for food to arrive. Lightroom Mobile lets me sync presets from desktop to mobile, so my edits stay consistent wherever I am.
If you’re creating content for Instagram or travel reels, mobile presets are a lifesaver. You can also sell your own, by the way—lots of creators have built entire brands off their preset packs.
Final Thoughts: Presets Are a Tool, Not a Crutch
Presets won’t turn a bad photo into a masterpiece. But they will help you shape good photos into great ones. They’re like seasoning—enhancing, never masking.
Use them thoughtfully. Experiment freely. And don’t be afraid to break your own rules as you grow. Lightroom presets are here to support your vision, not define it.
So next time you’re knee-deep in a memory card full of landscapes, street shots, and portraits from your latest journey, open Lightroom, pick a preset, and start sculpting your story—one edit at a time.