Get the Best Results from Your Presets

 

Presets are designed to give you a beautiful starting point, but every image is different. Lighting, camera model, lens, white balance, exposure, skin tone, and file type can all affect how a preset looks on your photo.

 

If a preset does not look perfect immediately, this is completely normal. In most cases, you only need a few small adjustments to make it work beautifully. Start by adjusting the basics: Exposure — brighten or darken the image until the overall light feels right. White Balance — adjust Temperature and Tint if the photo looks too warm, too cool, too green, or too pink. Contrast — reduce contrast if the image feels too heavy, or add a little if it feels too flat. Highlights and Shadows — use these to bring back detail in bright or dark areas.

 

My desktop presets are created and tested mainly on RAW files, as I personally shoot in RAW. RAW files give the most flexibility and usually produce the best results when using presets. You can also use these presets on JPEG images, but please keep in mind that JPEG files already have color, contrast, and camera processing “baked in.” Because of this, you may need to make a few extra adjustments after applying the preset. Most often, you may need to reduce contrast and fine-tune white balance or tint. The same preset can look slightly different on photos from different camera brands or models. This is normal, because each camera reads color and light in its own way. For the most consistent results, apply the preset first, then adjust exposure and white balance to match your image. Think of presets as a creative base, not a one-click final edit. A few small tweaks will help you get the best result while keeping the final image true to your own light, subject, and style.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us at veronika@rydvisuals.com