Lightroom offers two powerful tools to transform your photos in a single click: Presets and Profiles. At first glance, they may seem similar, but they work in different ways and serve different purposes. Knowing the difference will help you decide when to use each.
What Are Presets?
A preset is a saved set of editing adjustments. When applied, it moves Lightroom’s sliders (exposure, contrast, saturation, etc.) to predefined positions.
Key Features:
- Directly changes sliders in the Develop module.
- Fully editable—you can tweak after applying.
- Ideal for building consistent looks across a shoot.
Best For:
- Beginners who want one-click editing.
- Photographers building signature styles.
- Batch editing with consistent results.
What Are Profiles?
A profile acts more like a “base layer” for your photo. Instead of moving sliders, it shifts how Lightroom interprets color and tone data—similar to applying a film simulation.
Key Features:
- Doesn’t move sliders (keeps them at zero).
- Works with RAW files for maximum flexibility.
- Can be applied on top of any preset or manual edit.
- Includes Adobe profiles (Color, Neutral, Vivid, etc.) plus custom profiles.
Best For:
- Photographers wanting different starting points (film looks, cinematic tones).
- Stacking with presets for more advanced workflows.
- Maintaining flexibility without resetting sliders.
Presets vs Profiles: Side by Side
| Feature | Presets | Profiles |
|---|---|---|
| Affects Sliders | Yes (moves them) | No (keeps them neutral) |
| Customizable | Fully editable after applying | Applied as a base, then tweak |
| Best Use Case | Consistency across edits | Creative starting points |
| File Type | .xmp | .xmp (but interpreted differently) |
Final Thoughts
- Use presets for speed and consistency.
- Use profiles for flexible creative bases.
- Combine them for maximum editing power—apply a profile first, then fine-tune with presets.
✅ Want to explore presets and profiles?
Start your free trial of Adobe Lightroom today and experiment with both tools to create your own signature style.
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