Are Lightroom Presets Worth It?
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If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and thought, “How do their photos look so clean and professional?” — chances are, presets played a role. But are Lightroom presets actually worth it? Let’s break it down.
What Are Presets, Really?
Lightroom presets are basically photo editing shortcuts — a saved collection of adjustments (like contrast, colors, tones, etc.) that can be applied to your photo in one click. Instead of spending 15–20 minutes tweaking every slider, presets help you get a consistent look instantly.
Who Are They Good For?
If you’re a beginner, presets can teach you a lot. You can reverse-engineer them, see how colors are adjusted, and learn how certain styles are created. For content creators, they help keep a consistent aesthetic across your feed. And for pros? They save hours of editing time.
The Catch
Presets aren’t magic. You still need to know how to use them. Lighting, colors, and exposure vary from photo to photo. That means you’ll often need to tweak things after applying a preset — which is why presets work best as a starting point, not a final destination.
So, Are They Worth It?
Absolutely — if you see them as a tool, not a solution. They can help you learn faster, edit faster, and develop your unique style over time.
Want a pack of my go-to presets (plus a 1-hour editing masterclass to actually understand how to use them)?