Love them or hate them, presets are everywhere. They’re hyped as time-savers, style-makers, and depending on the marketing, borderline miracle workers. Just slap one on, and boom! instant cinematic masterpiece.

At least, that’s the dream.

But should you actually use them? Let’s unpack it.

What Even Are Presets?

At their core, presets are saved editing settings—things like contrast, color grading, and exposure adjustments bundled together so you can apply them in one click. They’re like editing recipes.

Want that moody, cinematic vibe? You want your shots to look like Batman. There’s a preset for that.
Want bright, punchy colours? You’ll find a preset for that too.

They exist to help speed up editing and create a consistent look without starting from scratch every time.

And they’re big business.

Why Are Presets So Popular?

Presets sell for a reason, and it’s not just because they look cool in an Instagram ad.

1. To Copy a Look

Let’s be real—sometimes, we just want our photos to look like someone else’s. You see a photographer’s feed, love their tones, and think, If I just had that preset, my shots would look just as good.

Spoiler: They probably won’t. But we’ll get to that.

2. To Learn

Presets can be reverse-engineered. Breaking down someone else’s colour grading choices can help you understand how they get their look, what’s happening with hues, contrast, and tones. In that sense, presets can be a cheat sheet for editing.

3. To Support Creators

Sometimes, buying presets isn’t even about the preset—it’s just a way to support a photographer you admire. It’s like buying merch, but for Lightroom.

The Harsh Truth: Presets Aren’t Magic

Here’s where people get it twisted. Presets don’t just “work.” They’re a starting point, not a final edit.

Why? Because no two photos are the same. Light, subject, and color balance all vary from shot to shot, meaning presets almost always need tweaking.

Things You’ll Always Need to Adjust:

Exposure – A preset built for bright, clean daylight won’t do much for an underexposed shot.
White Balance – Presets don’t know if you shot at golden hour or in a fluorescent-lit dungeon. Color casts need fixing.
Hues & Tones – The same preset can look completely different depending on the colors in your image.

So, if you’re expecting one-click perfection, you’re going to be disappointed.

The Myth of the Magic Bullet

Let’s talk about the worst marketing tactic in photography—the idea that a preset can instantly make every photo look amazing.

You’ve seen the ads:
🔥 “Turn your photos into pro-level shots IN SECONDS!”
🎨 “Get that perfect cinematic colour grade with ONE CLICK!”
🤖 “A.I.-powered presets for NEXT-LEVEL editing!”

Sounds tempting, right?

Presets are created for specific conditions. If your photo doesn’t match the lighting, colors, or style that the preset was designed for, the results will be meh at best, a disaster at worst.

More importantly? No preset will ever replace actual editing skills.

Using presets without understanding how they work is like painting by numbers and calling yourself an artist. You’ll get a result, sure, but it won’t feel like yours.

Why Learning to Edit Matters More

Editing is a craft. Like anything else, it takes time and practice to develop.

Presets can help you get started, but eventually, you need to ride without training wheels. When you actually understand how editing works, you can:

Adapt your edits to fit every photo individually, from any camera
Create a style that’s actually yours, not just a copy of someone else’s
Experiment with color and tones in ways presets can’t predict

The more you learn, the less you’ll rely on presets and the more control you’ll have over your own style.

So… Should You Use Presets?

Yes—but with the right mindset.

For Learning – Good presets can be an educational tool, showing you how certain looks are built. Some even come with an edit breakdown, which makes them way more useful.

For Speed – If you find yourself applying the same edits to every photo (like dropping clarity or tweaking shadows), make your own preset and start with those settings.

For Consistency – Presets can help maintain a cohesive look across a portfolio or Instagram feed.

But don’t fall into the trap of thinking presets are a substitute for skill. They’re not. They’re tools, not solutions. The better you understand editing, the more you’ll get out of them—and the less you’ll need them.

Final Thoughts

Presets can be useful, but they’re not magic. They can speed up your workflow, help you learn, and make edits more consistent—but they won’t fix bad lighting, poor composition, or a photo that just isn’t working.

The best edits are the ones that reflect your vision, not someone else’s.

So, use presets. Study them. Make your own. Just don’t let them define your style. That’s something only you can create.

Should You Use Presets?