pooralice Loc: merced, ca

So many presets by so many Photographers! Can anyone tell me which ones they use? I have a lot of free ones, but I am not crazy about any of them; is it worth it to buy a set? I shot mostly landscape and animals that cross my path.

Kuzano

Oh Yes... presets. I know what they are in image editing software. They are like "batch" function which you compile in a batch and then save them as an edit preset. Great for when you don't want to really apply creativity for each of your file edits.

But I don't do Post Processing to any great degree.

So are the custom profiles (4 in my Olympus and 7 in my Fujifilm X trans) plus the Olympus incamera Art Filters and similar filters in my Fuji's constitute in-camera presets. And if I set 4 or 7 custom profiles (including film simulations in the Fuji's and similar film simulations in my Olympus camera's, allowing me considerable range of functions in my SOOC classed as presets.

Then is my forgoing RAW in shooting and relying on such in camera help through the latest image processors assist me in not wasting time on the computer work I hate the most.... Post processing RAW file and doing minimal post on JPEGS.

I did Adobe Photoshop for 5-6 years and grew to hate it because of the evolution of the product and then Lightroom came along.... Crap on that! Then CC.

So does the work I do setting up my camera on custom profiles and knowing the full depth of the camera abilities constitute "presets" in-camera.

I believe it does, and affords me considerable range of image quality SOOC!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Buy them? No
Use them? You'll be much happier making your own.
How? Rather than looking at the colors / treatment, look at the actions you perform that are common to all images. Typically, noise and sharpening, as well as possibly, adjustments to Clarity, Vibrance and Saturation, maybe lens profiles. Begin by creating presets that apply these standard adjustments. You can be as discreet as you desire. Personally, I have presets covering every ISO setting in 1/3-stop for RAW files from two camera types I shoot. I use metadata filters after import and bulk-select and apply the Develop Presets based on the ISO values. I rarely need to revisit / tweek these settings and have a consistency of results, image to image, day to day, year to year.

LR presets are text files that you can edit directly without having to have a detailed understanding of their technical format. You can use LR to save / create the basic format and then you can copy and paste settings between files and customize to your needs.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've bought some and learned from them. After that I didn't use them. Now Lightroom also has "profiles", in addition to "presets". I bought some, have learned more about them and probably won't use them much either.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

WOW! Judgemental, condescending and perfect - all SOOC. When I grow up, I want to be just like you - NOT!

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

I use DxO PhotoLab -- It has quite a few presets -- If I'm going to use one of the presets -- I start with what I feel is the most logical to the specific image then often modify the heck out of it from there --- Then there are times I don't use any preset -- I use whatever I feel produces the best-looking image -- Would I go out & purchase more -- NO -- Don't confuse me -- I have more than enough choices already

Kuzano

Simply have a good self image, and correct in most things I do. You would do well to reach half my self worth. You won't however, will you?

You would also do well to simply grow up! Best of luck to you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've always wondered about the value of these. The closest I've come is setting one image in LR and then syncing the processing with a few others. I prefer to deal with each shot on its own.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

When I import into Lightroom, the only preset that I use is Autotone. I then make further adjustments on each shot, if necessary. I also have set up personal info such as copyright, etc.
Bud

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

Been there, done that - just not quite as egotistical 😈
BTAR

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

In my experience, every image is different. A preset that produces a good result for one image may produce junk on another. They are Sometimes a good starting point.

CaptainPhoto

Our camera club recently had a Lightroom guru speak at our club and he basically said the same thing. Every picture is different so why use someone else preset for your photos. Even the ones you create yourself will not apply to all the same type (i.e. landscape) photos. He stressed developing a workflow that will produce the results you are looking for.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi pooralice,

A preset, especially when just starting out in processing, can be a good place to start with a photo. Processing is an art and you get better at it as you process, mostly by making mistakes! Some programs are "preset" heavy (think Luminar), you can also call the preset a filter, and that helps people to move the photo in a direction that will be pleasing and interesting to the eye. If I were, say, a wedding photographer and all of my photos were taken within the same timeframe and in the same exact light then I could use a preset, designed by me or purchased, on all of those hundreds of photos at one time to ensure quick processing. So, in that case, a preset or filter would make sense. If, however, I was just out fooling around and got lots of different shots in a lot of different situations then one preset or filter would not work for all of those shots. I would need to process each of those shots independently and, most likely, one-by-one. I would, however, most likely use AUTO in Lightroom to get started on the image and work the image from that point. There should be no "putdown" associated with using presets, it's just all a matter of what works for you to get what you want. In Lightroom I can also create my own presets and apply those to certain photos, such as sharpening or a custom curve. Presets can save valuable time and sometimes the algorithms in the preset can make a huge difference in your photo and help you to create the image you want.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

I did make the mistake of buying a load of Lightroom presets, (over a hundred of them). I now find it easier to make my own adjustments than to find the right preset.