Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

How to make photos pop with free Lightroom presets?

Author: Sara Reinhard
by Sara Reinhard
Posted: Jul 05, 2019

Trying to find free Lightroom presets that will fit your photography style and composition? Then you are lucky to find this article featuring the most universal plug-ins for effective work in LR.

  1. Orange and Teal presets Need to improve shots with many blue elements? Or your photos with prevailing orange colors require some brightness? Either way, Orange & Teal Lightroom presets will appear effective in both cases. Specifically designed to affect blue and orange shades, these plug-ins are very popular among Instagram users and travel bloggers. These free presets beautify the shot taken outdoors, making blue and orange colors more vibrant and catchy. Such a color combination becomes winning when it comes to editing images of mountains, beaches, sea, rivers, etc.
  2. Black and White Presets This is the set of free presets for Lightroom that is never out of fashion. They suit practically all pictures giving them a timeless vibe. Most beginning photographers dream of having such B&W effects in their arsenal, as they are super useful if you want to make your images atmospheric, not with the help of color riot but highlighting the story itself. This Black & White presets bundle is very useful if you photograph in harsh light. These presets are the best way to quickly accentuates viewers’ attention on the people, feelings and the mood of the picture.

2. Film Presets Modern photographers tend to return to film style in their works. This approach gained the biggest popularity in portrait, street, fashion and wedding genres. Such film presets help imitate the old analog film look even if you shoot with a DSLR. After applying these filters, your images will acquire some grain and the colors will be beautifully washed out. If you dream of expanding your free Lightroom presets for portraits collection, these plug-ins are a nice option.

4. VSCO Presets

Among the variety of mobile photo editing apps, VSCO stands out with its unique and gorgeous filters. Many people try to imitate the result you can achieve editing photos in VSCO, so lots of photographers create a set of presets that others can use and admire the VSCOish look of their images.

  1. HDR Presets If you worry that your images lack catchy zest or bright colors, you can download HDR presets and enjoy the results. They are created to accentuate details in highlights and shadows, thus giving your architecture pictures a striking mood. The free presets from such bundles range from subtle HDR effects to intense or even bold HDR looks. The biggest advantage of this set is that it suits almost all photo genres.
  2. Natural Light Presets If you enjoy shooting outdoors and want to slightly alter the atmosphere of your images, then Natural Light free presets for Lightroom are a perfect match. They help regulate brightness and contrast of your shots, giving them a natural glow and lively atmosphere.
  3. Matte Presets Matte presets help make any photo gentle and nostalgic. The washed out colors are the most typical feature of these plug-ins. Having tested them on various images, both taken in the studio and outdoors, I can say that they show gorgeous results in any light. They have become truly popular among fashion shooters and Instagram users, so if you find such bundles, don’t miss a chance to download them.
  4. Pastel Presets

These free presets for Lightroom slightly change the images but the final result is always admirable. They add pastel tones to the shot and are ideal if you need a dreamy look. Thanks to peachy pinks, cold greens and creamy skin tones that appear in the pictures after you apply the plug-ins, photographers mostly use them for editing wedding, newborn, couple, and family photos.

  1. Light and Airy Presets Light and Airy is a highly popular collection of free presets that can cater to the needs of photographers engaged in travel, lifestyle, portrait, interior, food, wedding, landscape and architecture photography. If you want to keep your images natural, just slightly improving hues and skin tones, then Light and Airy Presets are your best choice. Instagram bloggers love using these filters for giving their page a consistent look.
  2. Cinematic Presets Cinematic free presets for Lightroom are something that you won’t do without, if you wish to present your clients with Hollywood-like images. They make photos more interesting, by fine-tuning contrast and color alterations. These presets are ideal for street, landscape, urban, portrait and wedding photos.
  3. Moody Presets

Sometimes you try hard, but still can’t achieve this peculiar moody look on your own. That’s the time when Moody presets come to rescue. They are perfect for enhancing portrait, wedding, street and wildlife shots. Try using such presets if you need to create velvety blacks, deep contrast, accentuate details in shadows and highlights, as well as make your pictures dramatic and eye-catching.

12. Vintage Presets You will never confuse vintage photos with other images because of specific warmth and timeless appeal. Take advantage of the vintage free presets for Lightroom if you want to make your pictures unique. This effect is particularly popular among wedding shooters who add a retro vibe to their couple shots.

About the Author

My name is Sara. I am a portrait photo retoucher at FixThePhoto, an image editing service and know how to turn an ordinary image into the high-end fashion photo.

Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
Author Thumbnail
I Agree:
Comment 
Pictures
Author: Sara Reinhard

Sara Reinhard

Member since: Jun 18, 2019
Published articles: 1

Related Articles