What Are Lightroom Presets? — Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)
What Are Lightroom Presets? — Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)
A Lightroom preset is a saved set of editing adjustments that applies to any photo in one click. Instead of manually adjusting exposure, white balance, color grading, and grain settings on every photo, a preset does all of it simultaneously.
That is the simple answer. Here is what it means in practice.
How Lightroom presets work
When you edit a photo in Lightroom, you adjust sliders — Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Color Grading, Grain, and dozens more. Each slider position is a numerical value. A preset saves all of those values together and lets you apply the entire set to any other photo instantly.
For example: a film preset might save Blacks +25, Highlights -35, Green Saturation -18, Shadow Color Grading at hue 40 and saturation 14, and Grain Amount 22. Apply the preset and all of those adjustments happen simultaneously on any photo you choose.
The quality of a preset depends entirely on the quality of those saved values — how well calibrated they are for different lighting conditions, skin tones, and color scenarios.
What film presets specifically do
Film presets are calibrated to reference the visual characteristics of analog photography. They lift shadows (film never produced pure black), pull highlights (film rolled off gradually), mute color (film was organic rather than vivid), add warm Color Grading to shadows, and add organic grain.
The result looks like a photo that could have been shot on film rather than a digital photo with a filter applied.
For a complete guide to the film look: Beginner's Guide to Film Look Editing in Lightroom
File formats: DNG and XMP
Lightroom presets come in two formats.
DNG — for Lightroom Mobile on iPhone and Android. Import the DNG file into Lightroom as a photo, then save the settings as a preset.
XMP — for Lightroom Classic on desktop. Import via the File menu or drag into the Presets panel.
Most professional preset packs include both formats so you can use the same presets on mobile and desktop.
Free vs paid presets
Free presets are a legitimate starting point. The free A6 and M5 presets from The Editing Studio are professional quality — not demos or limited versions. Download both and test them on your photos before spending any money.
Paid preset collections add calibration across multiple lighting conditions and more variations within the same color direction. One free preset works well in consistent lighting. A paid collection of six to ten presets handles varied lighting while keeping your gallery visually consistent.
Full comparison: Free Presets vs Paid Presets
How to install presets
iPhone: Download the DNG file. Open Lightroom Mobile. Import the DNG as a photo. Open it, tap three dots, Copy Settings, Create Preset.
Android: Same process as iPhone.
Desktop (Lightroom Classic): File, Import Profiles and Presets, select XMP files.
Full guide: How to Install Lightroom Presets on iPhone
Are presets worth it?
Yes if you edit consistently and want professional film quality without manually rebuilding the same adjustments on every photo. No if you apply a different preset to every photo looking for something to make a bad photo good.
Presets are color and tone tools. They apply character to correctly prepared photos. They do not fix composition, focus, or poor lighting.
Full honest answer: Are Film Presets Worth It?
FAQ
Do Lightroom presets work on phone photos?
Yes. Lightroom Mobile supports DNG preset installation on iPhone and Android with no subscription needed.
Can presets damage my original photos?
No. Lightroom is non-destructive — presets apply adjustments as instructions that can be changed or removed at any time. The original photo file is never modified.
Do I need a subscription for Lightroom presets?
No. Preset installation and use is free in Lightroom Mobile. No Creative Cloud subscription needed.
