How To Share Lightroom Presets: A Quick Guide

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to share your awesome Lightroom presets with your friends or the world? Maybe you've crafted the perfect look and want to spread the love. Well, you're in the right place! Sharing your Lightroom presets is super easy and can bring a lot of joy to fellow photographers and creatives. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step by step, ensuring that even if you're a beginner, you'll be sharing presets like a pro in no time. So, let's dive right in and unlock the secrets to sharing your Lightroom magic!

Understanding Lightroom Presets

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of sharing, let's quickly recap what Lightroom presets actually are. Think of them as one-click recipes for your photos. They contain a set of saved adjustments—like exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, white balance, and more—that you can apply to your images with a single click. Presets save you tons of time and help maintain a consistent look across your photos.

Why Share Presets?

Sharing presets is beneficial for several reasons:

Helping Others: You can assist other photographers in achieving specific looks or styles.
Building a Community: Sharing fosters collaboration and interaction within the photography community.
Personal Branding: If you're a professional, sharing presets can increase your visibility and establish you as an expert.
Monetization: You can even sell your presets to generate income.

So, now that we understand the why, let's jump into the how.

Sharing Lightroom Presets on Desktop (Lightroom Classic & Lightroom CC)

The process for sharing presets on the desktop version of Lightroom (both Classic and CC) is quite straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

Exporting Presets in Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic is the go-to choice for many professional photographers due to its robust features and organizational capabilities. If you're using Lightroom Classic, here’s how you can export your presets:

Open Lightroom Classic: Fire up your Lightroom Classic application.
Navigate to the Develop Module: Click on the "Develop" module at the top right of your screen. This is where all the magic happens in terms of photo editing.
Find Your Presets: On the left-hand side, you’ll see the "Presets" panel. If it’s not visible, go to "Window" in the top menu and make sure “Presets” is checked.
Locate the Preset to Export: Expand the preset group where your desired preset is located. This could be in the "User Presets" section or any custom group you’ve created.
Right-Click and Export: Right-click on the preset you want to share. A context menu will appear. Select "Export."
Choose a Location: A dialog box will pop up asking you where you want to save the preset. Choose a location on your computer where you can easily find it, like your desktop or a dedicated folder for presets.
Name Your Preset: Give your preset a descriptive name. This will help others understand what the preset does when they import it. The file extension will be .xmp or .lrtemplate depending on your Lightroom version.
Save the Preset: Click "Save." Your preset is now exported and ready to be shared!

Exporting Presets in Lightroom CC

Lightroom CC (now simply called Lightroom) is Adobe's cloud-based photo editing solution, known for its user-friendly interface and seamless syncing across devices. Here’s how to export presets in Lightroom CC:

Open Lightroom CC: Launch the Lightroom CC application on your computer.
Navigate to the Edit Panel: Select any photo and click on the “Edit” icon on the right-hand side. This opens up the editing panel where you can access your presets.
Access the Presets Panel: In the Edit panel, scroll down until you see the “Presets” panel. Click on it to expand.
Find Your Preset: Locate the preset you want to export. It might be in the “Recommended” section, “Yours” section, or any custom group you’ve created.
Show in Finder/Explorer: Right-click on the preset. Instead of an “Export” option, you’ll see “Show in Finder” (on macOS) or “Show in Explorer” (on Windows). Click this option.
Locate the .xmp File: This will open a Finder or Explorer window, highlighting the .xmp file of your preset. This file is what you need to share.
Copy the File: Copy the .xmp file to a location where you can easily access it for sharing, such as your desktop or a dedicated folder.

Sharing the Exported Preset

Now that you’ve exported your preset, you can share it in several ways:

Email: Attach the .xmp or .lrtemplate file to an email and send it to your friends, colleagues, or clients.
Cloud Storage: Upload the file to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Share the link with anyone you want to give access to the preset.
Social Media: Some platforms allow you to share files directly. You can also create a post with a link to your cloud storage.
Preset Marketplaces: If you want to sell your presets, consider using platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, or your own website.

Sharing Lightroom Mobile Presets

Lightroom Mobile is incredibly popular for editing on the go. Sharing presets for the mobile version involves a slightly different process, but it’s still manageable. Here’s how:

Creating a DNG File

Lightroom Mobile uses DNG files to transfer presets. A DNG (Digital Negative) file is essentially a raw image file that contains the preset information. Here’s how to create one:

Apply the Preset to an Image: In Lightroom (either Classic or CC), apply the preset you want to share to any image.
Export as DNG:
- In Lightroom Classic: Go to "File" > "Export." In the Export dialog, choose "DNG" as the file format. Export the image.
- In Lightroom CC: Right-click on the image and select "Save To…" Choose a location and select "DNG" as the file type. Save the image.

Sharing the DNG File

Once you have the DNG file, you can share it just like any other file:

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Email: Send the DNG file as an email attachment.
Cloud Storage: Upload the DNG file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or any other cloud storage service and share the link.

Importing the Preset on Lightroom Mobile

For the recipient, importing the preset on Lightroom Mobile is simple:

Save the DNG File: Download the DNG file to your mobile device.
Import to Lightroom Mobile: Open Lightroom Mobile and import the DNG file as you would import any other photo.
Create Preset: Open the DNG image in Lightroom Mobile. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Create Preset.”
Name the Preset: Give your preset a name and choose a group to save it in. Tap the checkmark to save.

The preset is now available in the Presets panel in Lightroom Mobile!

Tips for Sharing Presets Effectively

To make sure your presets are well-received and easy to use, here are some tips:

Provide Clear Instructions

Always include instructions on how to import and use the preset. This is especially important for users who are new to Lightroom.

Include Sample Images

Show before-and-after examples of images edited with your preset. This helps people visualize what the preset can do and how it might look on their own photos.

Optimize for Different Lighting Conditions

Presets often work best under specific lighting conditions. Let users know what types of photos the preset is designed for (e.g., portraits, landscapes, golden hour).

Test Your Presets

Before sharing, test your presets on a variety of images to ensure they work well in different scenarios. This helps you identify any potential issues and fine-tune the preset accordingly.

Use Descriptive Names

Give your presets clear and descriptive names. Instead of “Preset 1,” try something like “Warm Portrait” or “Cool Landscape.” This makes it easier for users to find and use the right preset for their needs.

Consider Creating Preset Packs

Instead of sharing individual presets, consider bundling them into packs. This can increase the value of your offering and encourage more people to download or purchase your presets.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best instructions, users may encounter issues when importing or using your presets. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

Preset Not Showing Up

Check the File Format: Make sure the file is either a .xmp (for newer versions of Lightroom) or a .lrtemplate (for older versions). For mobile presets, ensure you're using a DNG file.
Restart Lightroom: Sometimes, Lightroom needs to be restarted for the preset to appear.
Verify Installation Location: Ensure the preset is placed in the correct folder. Lightroom Classic usually looks for presets in the "Settings" folder within the Lightroom application folder.

Preset Looks Different Than Expected

Base Image: The starting point of the image can significantly affect how the preset looks. Images with different exposures, white balances, or color profiles may yield different results.
Adjustments: Encourage users to make further adjustments to the image after applying the preset to fine-tune the look.
Profile Compatibility: Some presets may rely on specific camera profiles. Make sure users have the necessary profiles installed.

Preset Causing Errors

Corrupted File: The preset file may be corrupted. Try re-exporting the preset and sharing the new file.
Incompatible Version: The preset may not be compatible with the user's version of Lightroom. Provide separate versions for different Lightroom versions if necessary.

Conclusion

Sharing your Lightroom presets is a fantastic way to connect with other photographers, enhance your personal brand, and even earn some extra income. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure that your presets are easy to use and provide great results. So go ahead, share your creative vision with the world, and let your Lightroom magic shine! Happy editing, folks!