How to edit with Lightroom Presets

Step-by-step guide by Tomas Havel | @tomashavel

I hope that this tutorial can help you understand my presets and take your photo editing up to the next level with just a few clicks.

Please note that because every image is different, every preset is meant as a starting point. Most presets work differently on every image depending on the exposure, lighting, colors in the image, etc. Therefore I do not include the correction of the exposure and white balance to make presets more versatile. 

All preset collections include premium structured preset layers (gradients/light effects) and give you the freedom to create. Based on those premium filters a desktop version of Lightroom is recommended for the best results. 

To get the most out of my presets, do the following:

1) Apply one of the main preset looks (presets: 1.1 - 1.20) .

Each preset gives you a different color scheme and atmosphere, adds vibrancy to your landscape images, improves the dynamic range and light, or brings out a drama in them. Every collection by Tomas Havel is designed to match a variety of different landscapes in specific conditions.

Before applying them, please adjust exposure properly to get the most out of the presets. It’s best to get the correct exposure in camera when shooting. However, you can adjust it in Lightroom if needed. The second step is to make sure your white balance is spot on, then my presets give you the look you’ve been trying to achieve.

2) Add Vignette or special Light Effects & Gradients (presets: 2.1 - 5.1).

Vignetting - This collection includes four types of realistic vignette. Which vignette you choose is entirely up to you. Vignetting adds drama, brings the mood to your photos, and above all, sets off the main subject and makes your pictures pop.

Radial filters - "Spotlights" - Creating a dreamy ambiance and light. This effect is set in the middle of the image and need to adjust the position manually as needed. The ideal position of the Spotlight is the side of the photo from where the sunlight shines. You can reduce or increase radial filters depends on the real light.

Graduated filters - "Dramatic Gradients" These dramatic filters are designed for both vertical and horizontal photos. You can easily darken the sky or the foreground to increase the dynamic range or bring out a drama into your landscape images.

3) Sharpening

The secret to doing sharpening without introducing noise is to hold alt / cmd key and drag the masking slider to see where the sharpening is being applied to. Set the masking slider around 50-75 for great sharpening of the edges only. 

Now the image is crisp without any noise on the sky or on spots without any texture.

Here you can see the application of presets to my certain photo. 

Presets used: "1.3 Golden Hours" with "Vignette++"  together with "Warm Spotlight" adjusted to the position of the sun. 

This combination of presets creates a unique dreamy look, add s vibrancy of sunset colors, improves the dynamic range, and enhances the main object.

The photo was taken in the Czech Republic just a few minutes before sunset.