Getting the Best Results.

Everything you need to know to install, understand and get the most from your presets.

Built for changing light.

Every preset in these collections was created from real travel photography across multiple countries, seasons and lighting conditions.

Rather than forcing every image into one identical look, the presets are designed to create consistent colour while remaining adaptable to different scenes.

They are intended as a creative starting point rather than a one-click edit.

Photography is rarely one click.

These presets provide a considered colour foundation while leaving room for your own creative judgement.

Lighting, exposure and white balance change from one photograph to the next, so your final adjustments may change too. This is part of the same editing process used throughout the photographs shown on this website.

BUILT ON REAL SHOOTS / DESIGNED FOR CHANGING LIGHT / MADE TO BE ADJUSTED

Before you apply a preset.

For the most consistent results:

  1. Import your image into Adobe Lightroom.
  2. Correct any major exposure issues if needed.
  3. Apply your chosen preset.
  4. Fine-tune exposure and white balance to suit your photograph.

Every photograph starts from a different point. Small adjustments after applying a preset are completely normal and form part of a professional editing workflow.

Why doesn’t my image look exactly like yours?

No two RAW files are identical.

The final result depends on several factors, including:

  • Camera manufacturer
  • Camera RAW profile
  • Lens characteristics
  • White balance
  • Exposure
  • Time of day
  • Weather
  • Natural, artificial or mixed lighting
  • Adobe Camera Profile

Because of this, the same preset can produce slightly different results across different photographs and camera systems.

The examples shown throughout the website demonstrate the colour grading and overall aesthetic of each preset. Minor adjustments allow you to tailor that foundation to your own photograph.

Recommended Camera Profile.

For the most consistent starting point, Adobe Color is recommended before applying your preset.

Other Adobe and camera-specific profiles can produce different colour, contrast and tonal responses. You may still use them creatively, but the result may differ from the website examples.

Designed for.

  • Travel
  • Landscape
  • Hospitality
  • Architecture
  • Lifestyle
  • Documentary photography

Can I use these on portraits?

They can be tried on portraits, but they were not specifically developed for portrait photography.

The collections were created primarily using travel, landscape, hospitality, architecture, lifestyle and documentary imagery, where the emphasis is on atmosphere, environment and colour rather than skin-tone reproduction.

They have not been specifically colour-balanced for skin tones, so portrait images may require additional adjustments depending on the subject, camera, lighting and original white balance.

Common adjustments.

My image looks too dark.

Increase the Exposure slider slightly after applying the preset. If the original image is significantly underexposed, correct the exposure before applying the preset and then fine-tune it afterwards.

My image looks too bright.

Reduce Exposure slightly after applying the preset. Also check whether the original highlights were already close to clipping.

My image looks too warm or too cool.

Adjust the Temperature and Tint controls to suit your photograph.

Every camera interprets colour differently, particularly under artificial or mixed lighting.

The colours look different from the website examples.

Check the original exposure, white balance and camera profile.

Differences in camera manufacturer, RAW profile, lens, weather and lighting can all affect the starting image.

The preset looks too strong.

Fine-tune exposure, white balance, contrast or saturation to suit the photograph. The preset is a starting point and does not need to remain completely unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Do these work with my camera?

The presets are designed to work across a wide range of camera systems and lighting conditions.

Every camera manufacturer and RAW profile renders colour differently, so small adjustments after applying the preset may be required for the best result.

Can I use JPEG files?

Yes.

However, RAW files provide greater flexibility for exposure, white balance, colour and highlight recovery, and will generally produce the best results.

Are these one-click presets?

No.

They are intentionally designed as professional creative starting points.

Many images may require very little adjustment, while others will benefit from small refinements to exposure and white balance after applying the preset.

Do I need Adobe Lightroom?

Yes.

These presets are designed for Adobe Lightroom and are compatible with:

  • Lightroom Desktop using XMP files
  • Lightroom Mobile using DNG files

Adobe Lightroom is not included with your purchase and must be obtained separately from Adobe. A separate Adobe plan or subscription may be required depending on the version used.

Which files should I use?

Use the DNG files for Lightroom Mobile.

Use the XMP files for Lightroom Desktop.

If your downloaded product is contained in a ZIP file, extract it before following the installation steps.

Do I need to install the presets more than once?

No.

Once the presets have been imported and saved in Lightroom, they should remain available in your Presets panel unless the app, account or installation is reset.

Installation Guide.

Choose the instructions that match the version of Lightroom you use.

Lightroom Mobile using DNG files

  1. Download and extract the preset files if they are supplied in a ZIP folder.
  2. Save the DNG files to your phone or tablet.
  3. Open Lightroom Mobile.
  4. Select Add Photos and import the DNG files.
  5. Open one of the imported DNG images.
  6. Open the menu in the top-right corner.
  7. Select Create Preset.
  8. Name the preset and choose the preset group where it should be saved.
  9. Repeat for each DNG file.

To apply the preset, open your own photograph, go to Presets and select the saved preset.

Lightroom Desktop using XMP files

  1. Download and extract the preset folder.
  2. Open Adobe Lightroom on your computer.
  3. Open the Presets panel.
  4. Open the panel menu.
  5. Select Import Presets.
  6. Select the XMP files.
  7. Confirm the import.

The presets will appear in the Presets panel and can be applied directly to your photographs.

Using XMP files with Lightroom Mobile

If the XMP files do not import directly into Lightroom Mobile, import them into Lightroom Desktop while signed into the same Adobe account.

Once Creative Cloud synchronisation is complete, the presets should appear in Lightroom Mobile.

Need help?

If you’re struggling to achieve the look shown in the examples, contact:

support@picsbydash.com

Please include:

  • The name of the preset you are using
  • The camera model
  • Whether the source file is RAW or JPEG
  • The original RAW image, if practical
  • A screenshot of the applied preset
  • A short description of the issue

These details make it easier to identify the starting point and suggest the most useful adjustment.