Lightroom Mobile presets are a game-changer for photographers who need a way to streamline their editing process. With a preset, you can apply a premade set of edits with a single click for effortless and professional results. However, no two photos are the same, which is where fine-tuning comes into play.
In this guide, we walk you through the process of fine-tuning a photo after applying a preset, including which adjustments to make and how to implement them for a stunning and balanced finished product.
Why Fine-Tuning Matters
Presets apply a base layer of edits like exposure, color, contrast, and more. They’re a great starting point and can cut down your editing time from hours to minutes, but they won’t be able to account for the specific lighting conditions and details captured in each individual photo.
Luckily, fine-tuning is super simple! Let’s take a closer look.
What Adjustments Should I Make After Applying a Preset?
In our experience, these are the most important adjustments to make after applying a Lightroom Mobile preset:
- Exposure: Every photo has different lighting and brightness levels. Use the exposure slider to make any necessary brightness changes.
- Contrast: Fine-tune the contrast to enhance details or create a softer or sharper look depending on your photo’s specific needs.
- Color & white balance: Play around with the temperature, tint, and white balance sliders to achieve a natural-looking color palette that complements your photo’s unique subject and mood.
- Highlights & shadows: Use these sliders to recover details in bright areas or lift details from dark shadows.
Taking It a Step Further
We’ve covered the basics, but if needed, you can make further adjustments to fully customize a preset to your specific photos. Here are our recommendations.
Selective Adjustments
Lightroom Mobile’s “Selective” tool allows you to target specific areas of your photo for even more precise control. This is useful for:
- Brightening a face in a backlit portrait
- Reducing the intensity of highlights in a bright sky
- Enhancing the color of a specific object for emphasis
Sharpening & Noise Reduction
Depending on the details present in your photo, you may want to bring specific things out a bit more, or reduce the focus on those characteristics.
- Use the sharpening tool to enhance details, but make sure to use it sparingly to avoid an over-processed look.
- Use the noise reduction sliders to smooth things out for a cleaner final edit.
Unlock Effortless Photo Editing with Cedar Lane Presets
Remember, presets are designed to be a starting point. By mastering these adjustments, you can transform your preset-enhanced photos into stunning final products, with edits tailored to the unique needs of every image.
If you’re looking for a way to streamline your photo editing process or achieve a consistent aesthetic, we’ve got you covered! At Cedar Lane Presets, we offer the highest-quality Lightroom Mobile presets in a wide range of styles to suit every aesthetic preference. Browse our selection today to take the hassle out of editing!
