In the world of digital photography and social media, photo editing plays a crucial role in creating visually stunning images that capture attention. Adobe Lightroom, a top-tier photo editing software, is renowned for its powerful capabilities and its use of presets—pre-defined settings that can instantly apply a certain look or style to your photos. However, many of the best presets are paid, which can deter users who are just starting or don’t want to invest upfront. Fortunately, there are ways to access paid Lightroom presets for free, legally and ethically.
This guide will explore the world of Lightroom presets, how they work, how to download and use them, and most importantly, how to find paid Lightroom presets available for free. Along the way, we’ll cover why these presets can be game-changers for photographers, influencers, and anyone looking to elevate their images without spending a fortune.
What Are Lightroom Presets?
Lightroom presets are collections of pre-configured settings within Adobe Lightroom that you can apply to your photos with a single click. These settings adjust various elements such as exposure, contrast, saturation, tone curves, and color grading to transform the appearance of your photos.
Presets allow users to streamline the photo-editing process and give a consistent aesthetic to their images. For example, a photographer may apply a “warm and moody” preset to their entire portfolio, ensuring that all of their images follow the same style. This can be particularly useful for:
- Social Media Influencers: Creating a cohesive feed on platforms like Instagram.
- Professional Photographers: Saving time by batch-editing photos from events, weddings, or shoots.
- Hobbyists: Experimenting with different looks without needing advanced editing skills.
Types of Lightroom Presets:
- Portrait Presets: Adjust settings to enhance skin tones, brighten eyes, and add soft shadows for perfect portraits.
- Landscape Presets: Enhance the colors of nature, emphasize contrast, and bring out the beauty in outdoor scenes.
- Black and White Presets: Convert color images into dramatic black-and-white masterpieces with depth and mood.
- Cinematic Presets: Create a film-inspired look with rich colors, dark shadows, and glowing highlights.
- Vintage Presets: Emulate the look of old-school photography with grainy textures and faded colors.
While there are countless free presets available, paid presets often provide more advanced effects and superior quality, giving users a better starting point for their editing process.
Why Use Paid Lightroom Presets?
Paid Lightroom presets are typically crafted by professional photographers and editors who have fine-tuned their presets to achieve specific artistic goals. These presets often offer better results than generic free options, as they cater to different photography genres and provide more refined control over the image’s final look.
Here are some reasons why paid Lightroom presets are worth considering:
- Superior Quality: Paid presets tend to have more nuanced adjustments and are built with advanced knowledge of Lightroom’s editing tools.
- Customization: Many paid presets are designed to be flexible, allowing users to further customize the effects to match their unique style.
- Professional Aesthetic: If you’re looking to achieve the same look as your favorite influencers or photographers, paid presets can often replicate these trending styles.
- Time-Saving: High-quality paid presets can save photographers hours of manual editing by providing a near-perfect look right out of the box.
However, not everyone is willing to pay for these presets, especially those just getting into photography or photo editing. This is why finding free alternatives is so appealing.
Where to Find Paid Lightroom Presets for Free (Legally)
Downloading paid Lightroom presets for free without permission is illegal and unethical. However, many platforms offer free versions or samples of paid presets legally. These sources allow photographers to test out paid presets before committing to buying them, or they may share limited-time free downloads as promotions. Here’s where to look for free versions of paid Lightroom presets.
1. Photographers’ Websites
Many photographers or content creators sell their preset packs but will offer a sample of one or two presets for free as a promotion. You can often find these on their websites or through links in their social media bios. For instance, a photographer who sells a pack of 10 presets for a particular style might offer one for free to entice users to purchase the full set.
2. Lightroom Preset Websites
Websites that specialize in Lightroom presets often have sections dedicated to free downloads, and these free presets are sometimes selected from paid collections. Popular preset websites like Preset Love, Photonify, and FilterGrade frequently offer high-quality free presets alongside their paid versions. These sites often collaborate with preset creators, allowing you to download paid presets for free, either as part of a limited-time promotion or through special offers.
3. Creative Market
Creative Market is an online platform where designers and photographers sell digital assets, including Lightroom presets. Every week, the site offers free products, including Lightroom presets, as part of their “Free Goods of the Week” promotion. These free downloads are only available for a limited time, so it’s a good idea to check the site regularly.
4. Gumroad
Gumroad is another platform where photographers and designers offer paid presets, but many creators will also have free or “pay-what-you-want” options for their Lightroom presets. It’s a great way to try out professional-quality presets without committing to a purchase.
5. Instagram and Social Media Giveaways
Many preset creators and photographers will run social media giveaways where they offer paid presets for free to a few lucky followers. Follow popular preset creators on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to stay updated on these giveaways, or search hashtags like #presetgiveaway to find ongoing promotions.
6. Adobe Exchange
Adobe Exchange is Adobe’s own platform where users can upload and share creative assets, including Lightroom presets. While many of the offerings are paid, you can often find free versions of paid presets as part of a promotional deal. This is a safe and legitimate way to access high-quality presets for free.
How to Download and Install Lightroom Presets
Once you’ve found a source for free paid Lightroom presets, the next step is to download and install them into your Lightroom application. The process is relatively simple, whether you’re using Lightroom on desktop or mobile.
For Desktop (Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC):
- Download the Preset: Save the preset file, which will typically be in
.xmpor.lrtemplateformat. - Open Lightroom: Launch Lightroom and navigate to the Develop module.
- Import the Preset:
- In Lightroom Classic, go to the Presets panel on the left, click the + icon, and choose Import Presets.
- In Lightroom CC, go to File > Import Profiles & Presets.
- Select the Downloaded Preset: Find the preset file you downloaded and click Import.
- Apply the Preset: Once the preset is installed, you can apply it to any photo by selecting it from the Presets panel.
For Mobile:
- Download the Preset: If you’re downloading the preset directly to your phone, it will typically be in
.dngformat. - Open Lightroom Mobile: Import the
.dngfile into the app. It will appear as a new image. - Save the Preset: Open the image, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select Create Preset. Name the preset and save it.
- Apply the Preset: To apply the saved preset to other photos, select any image, go to Presets, and choose the one you saved.
Best Paid Lightroom Presets Available for Free
Here are some of the top paid Lightroom presets that you can legally download for free:
1. Mastin Labs Sample Pack
Mastin Labs offers high-quality film emulation presets, and they provide a free sample pack with a few of their most popular presets. This sample includes presets that replicate the look of classic film types like Kodak Portra and Fuji 400H.
2. Tribe Archipelago Free Presets
Tribe Archipelago is a collective of professional photographers who offer premium Lightroom presets. They occasionally offer free versions of their paid presets, especially during promotions. Their presets are known for their moody and cinematic look.
3. Visual Flow Presets
Visual Flow offers a range of Lightroom presets designed by wedding photographers. They occasionally release free versions of their paid presets. Their “Lighting Condition Based Presets” adjust photos based on the lighting conditions in which they were taken, which is perfect for achieving consistent results.
4. Photonify Freebies
Photonify regularly releases free samples of their paid preset packs. These presets cater to various photography styles, including weddings, portraits, and landscapes. You can download these freebies directly from their website.
5. Preset Love
Preset Love is a great platform for discovering free Lightroom presets, many of which are paid elsewhere. They have a large selection of presets that are available for free download, including vintage, travel, and minimalist styles.
How to Maximize the Use of Free Paid Presets
While presets can instantly improve your photos, it’s important to remember that they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some tips to ensure that you get the most out of the free paid presets you download:
1. Tweak and Adjust Settings
Presets are a starting point, not the final step. After applying a preset, you may still need to adjust exposure, contrast, white balance,
