#10 of 10 Things
All New Lightroom Users Should Know

10 of 10 Featured
number 10

Table of Contents

I can’t believe it’s been 10 weeks already!

Today is the last day in our series of 10 Things All New Lightroom Users Should Know.

Ready? Let’s do it…

Today, we’re going to explore the most popular and most misunderstood Lightroom preset…

the Develop Preset

You’ve probably heard of them.

Or maybe you’re already familiar with them…

Either way, I’m going to provide some tips and techniques for properly using Lightroom develop presets.

Plus, I’m going to give you a sneak peek into my workflow and how I use Lightroom presets.

O.k., to make sure we are all on the same page…

Lightroom presets are designed to automate your tasks, streamline your workflow, and help you be more productive.

Misused, pre-made Lightroom presets will actually slow you down.

Have you…

…ever received Lightroom presets,
applied them to your photos, and thought:
“These are the worst Lightroom presets I’ve ever bought”!

If so, click here to find out why and how to fix it.

Brief History of Presets

When Lightroom first came out, in 2007, there were no pre-made presets to be found.

Why?

Because, well, it was new, and no one was offering them.

So, you had to learn the software to get the creative edit you were after.

Over time, photographers started sharing their “style,” or their pre-made presets with one another.

I loved ‘em and learned a lot from other photographers.

Then one day, premium presets started to hit the market.

It didn’t take long for these pre-made presets to start becoming a crutch.

What do I mean by that?

Well, instead of learning how to use Lightroom, photographers (mostly point-and-shooters and amateurs) started to use presets to do all the “creativity” for them.

Which is fine…

That is if the preset worked perfectly after one click.

The problem is, the majority of pre-made premium Lightroom presets are just horrendous.

Or are they?

Why Presets Don't Always Work

Well, they look good on the sample photos, and you think, “I’ll give them a try.”

After downloading and using, you find out they are not working for your particular photo (s).

That doesn’t make the preset bad by itself.

Lightroom presets are designed for specific photos and will not work 100% of the time on 100% of your photos.

It’s impossible.

Each pre-made preset has specific settings saved to enhance the photo that’s being used to promote it.

If a vendor says, “get our one-click-and-done preset…”. RUN!

Of course, it’s one click and done for them.

The creator of the preset just created that preset for that particular photo.

But, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be one-click-and-done for yours.

In fact, I guarantee any free or premium presets you download and use will have to be tweaked (the majority of the time) to work with your photo.

If not, then…

a. you got lucky or

b. you’re not a perfectionist like me, and you may just think, “it’s good enough.”

Here is a prime example. Our Vintage Autumn preset was applied to both of these photos. The photo on the left works well with the Preset, and the one on the right does not…

Lightroom Presets
vintage summer bomb

Good Enough?

“It’s good enough,” is o.k. for personal stuff. I have lots of candid shots of family/friends that I just run through pre-made presets and call it a day.

Anything I hang on the wall (I like large canvas gallery wraps) or given to a client is tweaked to perfection…

But, are you a pro or aspiring pro?

If so, then “it’s good enough” will make it more difficult for you to stand out.

Besides, everyone nowadays is a photographer.

And everyone is using the same pre-made presets!

The Competition Is Fierce!

You must be better than your competition. Doing so means you’ll stand out.

Grow Your Business

Which means your business will thrive.

This also means you should spend a little more time tweaking the edit’s for your photos and making your own premium presets.

But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend hours in front of the computer either.

Remember, presets are designed to help you automate your tasks and streamline your workflow.

In fact, I use 7 different types of presets for my workflow (and there are many more).

With the help of some of those pre-made presets, I’m able to edit 500 photos per hour. Yes, per hour.

brushes for weddings

Here Is Part Of My Workflow For Weddings

First

When importing, I apply a pre-made preset that applies specific edits that I like on all photos…

  1. Custom Tone Curve
  2. Lens Correction
  3. Vignette

Second

After my organization workflow – culling, rating, keywording, etc., I’ll begin editing the photos.

Step 1

With one hand on my mouse and the other on my keyboard (arrow keys), I’ll quickly navigate through each photo.

Step 2

I spend less than 1 second per picture on average. The pre-made preset, I applied during import, is just right for the majority of photos.

Plus, I’ve already seen the photo at least once before, during the part of my workflow in the Library Module.

I’ll make a mental note of that photo, and already know if I need to do extra edits to it when I reach it during the editing portion of my workflow.

Step 3

If needed, I’ll tweak the white balance, exposure, and Tone Curve for specific photos.

Step 4

Then, if it’s part of a large group I’ll Sync the settings.

Step 5

Most of my time is spent on bringing back details in the Shadows and Highlights (if clipped too much).

For this, I’ll use a local adjustment brush to bring back the details.

But, this is on a very small amount of photos since I try to achieve as much tonal range in the image when I shoot.

Consistency In Shooting Is Key

There are 3 huge blocks of photos that I’m able to edit within seconds…

Family Photos

Family photos, after the ceremony, usually account for 25 – 100 photos. Depending on the size of the family.

Photos Of Bride & Groom

Photos of the Bride and Groom (plus wedding party if done in the same location and same lighting) account for 20 – 150 photos (on average).

Although, sometimes, this is broken down into groups of 20-40 photos, times 3-5, for each different location we shoot at.

Reception Photos

Dancing photos at the reception are usually around 100-150 photos.

Group Photos

Each group of photos is shot under the same type of lighting.

If needed, I can select the first photo of the group, tweak and then apply that same edit (using the Sync button) to the other 20 – 150 photos.

So, this allows me to edit say 50, 100, or 150 pictures in 20 seconds or less!

What About Pre-made Presets?

Well, I’ve already applied one type during import.

Other than that, I do not use pre-made presets during the initial edit.

Why is that?

Well, for me, it’s quicker to make the adjustments manually (at this point in my workflow) vs. clicking on pre-made presets.

By keeping my mouse pointer over the editing panels, I can quickly adjust the sliders (by placing it over each slider) by using my arrow keys to increase or decrease the setting.

Which is much faster than navigating to the left panel, locate a preset, click on it, navigate back to the right panel to “tweak” the preset I selected.

Then, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth…

So much quicker to do everything in the right panel – to get a perfect edit in seconds.

Once I have the initial basic, clean edits done, I’ll then go back to the 15-25 favorite photos I tagged during the organizational part of my workflow.

Quick Tip

My clients receive a clean edit of every photo and only 15-25 custom creative edits. It all depends on how you want to sell your services.

I will then apply my creative, pre-made presets to my favorites.

I have my own 5-7 pre-made presets, which represent my style, that I use during this part of my workflow.

Then I’ll spend about another 5 – 15 minutes (for all the photos) tweaking for perfection.

The creative edit process takes around 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

F.Y.I., in case you’re wondering… another thing I do not include, in my packages, is re-touching.

At least not on the digital files the clients receive.

Any photos included in a wedding album or wall prints will be re-touched.

lightroom presets

Understanding how to use pre-made Lightroom develop presets properly, their limitations, and when to use in your workflow are essential for a fast and productive workflow.

I’ve put together a Lightroom preset guide with more information and tips for using our premium presets.

Even if you just download our free presets, and follow the guide, you’ll be farther ahead then most photographers.

It’s a great starting point for your continued journey with Lightroom.

When you’re ready to master Lightroom, to be able to use it to its full potential, then click here to find out more.

Parker
Parker
A 30-year photography pro with a desire to help you achieve your creative vision! Facebook | Youtube

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