Presets & Color Grading · Editing workflow
A good preset is a starting point, not a one-click guarantee. Lighting, camera settings, and skin tones vary from photo to photo, so a repeatable workflow gives you more control than applying the same look and exporting immediately.
1. Choose a reference image
Start with a well-exposed image that represents the lighting and mood of the set. Make basic corrections first: white balance, exposure, and highlight recovery. This creates a stable foundation before you add a creative look.
2. Apply the preset, then refine
Apply your chosen preset and check the exposure, contrast, shadows, and saturation. Reduce the strength of the effect when the colors feel too intense. A preset should support the subject rather than overpower it.
3. Sync selectively
When editing a batch, synchronize the creative settings across similar images, but review exposure and white balance individually. Indoor portraits and outdoor landscapes rarely need identical corrections.
4. Compare before exporting
Toggle the edit on and off, zoom in to inspect detail, and review the full image at screen size. Export a test image before processing an entire gallery.
Build a look you can repeat
Save a custom version after you finish refining the preset. Name it for the lighting or mood it suits, such as “soft afternoon portrait” or “cool city evening.” Over time, a small organized library will be more useful than dozens of nearly identical presets.