Lightroom Color Grading for Newbies Using Presets

If you’re new to photo editing, Lightroom color grading for newbies using presets can feel overwhelming. There are so many sliders, wheels, and panels that it’s easy to get lost. Luckily, presets simplify the process, giving you ready-made color adjustments that make your photos look professional almost instantly. With Color Grading Presets for Lightroom, you can pick a look, apply it, and spend more time shooting instead of fiddling endlessly with sliders.

Color grading isn’t just for professional photographers. It’s about setting the mood, balancing tones, and making your images pop. Even simple edits like adjusting shadows, highlights, and midtones can completely change how a photo feels. Presets take the guesswork out of this, especially for beginners.

Why Newbies Should Start With Presets

Starting with presets saves time and frustration. Instead of manually adjusting hue, saturation, and luminance, you can see instant results. According to a survey by Adobe, 65% of new photographers say they use presets to speed up editing (source). That means you’re in good company when you rely on presets as a starting point.

Even better, presets help you learn what each slider does. When you apply a preset, you can see how it changes exposure, color, and tone. Over time, this teaches you what adjustments make a photo feel cinematic, moody, or vibrant.

How to Use Lightroom Presets for Beginners

Using presets in Lightroom is simple, even if you’re just getting started. Follow these steps:

1. Import your photos into Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC.
2. Install your preset pack in the Develop module.
3. Click on a preset to apply it to your image.
4. Adjust exposure, white balance, or shadows if needed.
5. Export and share your photo.

This workflow lets you get polished results quickly without feeling lost in technical details.

Common Preset Styles for Beginners

Quick Guide: Color Grading in Lightroom for Newbies

• Pick a preset that fits your photo style
• Apply it with one click
• Adjust exposure and white balance
• Fine-tune shadows or highlights if needed
• Save or export your finished photo

Even beginners can achieve professional-looking results in minutes with this approach.

Tips to Get the Best Results

• Shoot in RAW: This gives more flexibility to adjust tones without degrading image quality.
• Match your preset to the photo: A moody preset may not work well for bright daylight images.
• Experiment lightly: Presets are a starting point; small tweaks can make a big difference.
• Use a calibrated monitor: Colors will be more accurate, especially for prints or client work.

Pairing presets with cameras like the Canon EOS R6 or Sony A7 IV and lenses like the 24–70mm f/2.8 can make editing even smoother. Presets give your workflow a solid foundation, letting you focus on creativity instead of technical guessing.

As photographer Chase Jarvis said, “The best camera is the one that’s with you, but the best edits make your vision visible.” Presets bridge that gap, showing you what your photo could look like in seconds.

Wrapping It Up

Lightroom color grading for newbies using presets is the easiest way to get professional results without frustration. Presets save time, guide your editing, and help you understand what makes a photo feel complete. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever edited without them.

Learn more about Presets and Lightroom:

• Photo Color Grading Made Easy with Lightroom Presets
• Create a Unique Look with Professional Lightroom Presets
• How to Get a Cinematic Look in Lightroom (With One Click) 
• How to Fix Common Real Estate Photo Mistakes with Presets