The Ultimate Guide to Sharing Lightroom Presets on Mobile
If you use Adobe Lightroom to edit photos on your phone, you‘ve probably come across presets before. Presets are pre-defined settings that you can apply to a photo with a single tap, instantly transforming the look and feel of the image. Presets are a huge time-saver and make it easy to achieve a consistent editing style across all your photos.
One of the best things about Lightroom presets is that they‘re easy to share with others. Whether you‘ve created your own custom preset that you want to send to a friend or you‘ve found an amazing preset pack online that you want to share with your social media followers, the process of sharing presets in the Lightroom mobile app is super simple.
In this guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about sharing Lightroom presets on your phone. We‘ll cover how to export and share your own presets, how to import presets that others have shared with you, and some creative ideas for using shared presets to level up your mobile photography game. Let‘s dive in!
How to Share Presets in Lightroom Mobile
The process of sharing a preset in the Lightroom app only takes a couple taps, but the steps may not be obvious if you‘ve never done it before. Here‘s how it works:
Step 1: Apply the Preset to a Photo
The first thing you need to do is apply the preset you want to share to a photo. Lightroom doesn‘t let you share a preset file directly. Instead, you need to first apply the preset to an image, then export a copy of the edited image that has the preset settings baked in.
To apply a preset:
- Open a photo in Lightroom mobile
- Tap the "Presets" icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like two overlapping circles)
- Tap on the preset you want to apply
- Tap the checkmark to apply it to the current photo
Step 2: Export the Photo as a DNG File
Once you have the preset applied to a photo, tap the "Share" icon in the top right (the square with an arrow pointing upward). This will bring up the Share menu.
Rather than choosing a destination like Instagram or Messages, look for the "Export As" option and tap on that. Change the File Type to "DNG". This will export a copy of the image with the preset settings embedded in the file.
Tap the checkmark in the top right to confirm. You‘ll be prompted to choose where you want to save the DNG file, like in your phone‘s camera roll or Files app.
Step 3: Share the DNG File
Now you‘re ready to share the preset. Find the exported DNG file wherever you saved it and share it however you normally share files – via email, messages, Dropbox, etc.
When the recipient gets the DNG file, they simply need to open it in the Lightroom app on their device. Lightroom will automatically extract the preset from the file and add it to their preset library so they can use it on their own photos. We‘ll talk more about importing presets in a bit.
Tips for Sharing Presets Like a Pro
Now that you know the basic steps for sharing a preset, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
Use Descriptive Preset Names
When you create a custom preset, be sure to give it a descriptive name before sharing it. Something like "Cara‘s Vibrant Landscape Preset" is much clearer than just "Preset 1". This helps the person you‘re sharing with understand what the preset is meant to be used for.
Organize Presets into Categories
If you‘re planning to share a bunch of presets, consider organizing them into categories to make them easier to sort through. For example, you could create category folders for portraits, landscapes, vintage looks, black & white, etc. This makes it easier for others to find the right preset for their needs.
Include Before & After Examples
When sharing presets, it‘s helpful to include example before and after photos showing what the preset looks like in action. Export a DNG of the original unedited photo along with the edited version so people can see the difference the preset makes. You may want to upload the example photos somewhere online where you can share a link to them along with the preset file.
Share Unedited Images for Best Results
Keep in mind that presets work best when applied to unedited RAW or DNG files straight out of the camera. If you edit a photo first and then apply a preset on top of your edits, the results may not look the same as the example photos. For best results, include a note encouraging people to apply the preset to original, unedited images.
How to Import Presets You‘ve Been Sent
If someone shares a preset with you, it‘s easy to import it into Lightroom mobile and start using it yourself. Here‘s how:
- Open the DNG preset file on your phone and tap the "Open in Lightroom" option
- The image will load in Lightroom with the preset applied
- Tap the "Presets" icon to open your preset library
- You should see the imported preset at the bottom under "User Presets"
- Tap the three dots icon on the preset and choose "Add to favorites" if you want to access it quickly in the future
The preset is now part of your library and you can apply it to any of your photos! If you use Lightroom on other devices, like your computer or tablet, you can also sync your presets across devices. Just make sure you‘re signed into the same Creative Cloud account in the Lightroom app on each device. Any presets you import or create will automatically sync via the cloud so you can use them everywhere.
Creative Ways to Use Shared Presets
Sharing presets isn‘t just a way to help out your friends and followers – it can also be a great way to build community and unleash your creativity! Here are some fun ideas for making the most of shared presets:
Create a Themed Preset Pack
Put together a collection of presets centered around a theme, like "Golden Hour", "Cozy Winter", or "Tropical Vibes". Share the themed pack on your Instagram or with a Facebook group of like-minded photographers. Seeing how everyone interprets the same set of presets can be really inspiring!
Host a Preset Swap
Get together with some photography buddies and have everyone bring their favorite custom preset to share with the group. Make it an event by meeting up in person or hopping on a video call. Take turns showing before/after photos and talking about how you use the preset in your work.
Sell Premium Presets
If you‘ve created some presets you‘re really proud of, consider packaging them up and selling them online. Many successful photographers and influencers sell their signature presets to their followers. You can sell through your own website, Etsy shop, or through a platform like FilterGrade that specializes in Lightroom presets.
Popular Presets to Try Out
Want to experiment with some new looks? Here are a few places to find high-quality Lightroom presets to play with:
Free Preset Packs
There are lots of talented creators who release free preset packs from time to time. Follow your favorite photographers on social media and keep an eye out for preset giveaways and freebies. Websites like PresetLove.com and ON1.com also have libraries of free presets you can download.
Paid Preset Collections
If you‘re willing to invest a bit of money, buying a preset pack can be a great way to quickly expand your editing options. Check out the preset collections on Creative Market, FilterGrade, and Mastin Labs for some beautiful options at reasonable prices.
Celebrity & Influencer Presets
Many well-known photographers, YouTubers, and Instagram stars sell their own custom presets so you can achieve a similar look. Some popular options are the Sorelle Amore Advanced Selfie preset, Jaci Marie‘s Luxe Minimalist pack, and Aspyn Ovard‘s Dreamy Pastels collection. Do a quick Google search for your favorite influencer‘s name + "Lightroom presets" to see what‘s out there.
Wrap-Up
Lightroom presets are an amazing way to speed up your editing workflow and achieve impressive looks with just a tap. Sharing them with others is a great way to help people improve their own photography skills. Plus, using presets created by people whose work you admire can help you grow creatively and find new sources of inspiration.
We hope this guide has given you the confidence to start exporting your own custom presets and sharing them with the world! Remember the key steps: apply the preset to a photo, export as a DNG, and share the file. Organize your presets into categories, include before/after examples, and encourage others to apply them to original, unedited images for best results.
Most importantly – have fun and don‘t be afraid to experiment! Swap presets with friends, participate in themed challenges, or even launch your own preset business. The only limit is your imagination.
Do you have a favorite preset to share? Drop a link in the comments so we can all check it out! Let‘s unleash our creativity and make some photo magic together.