Mastering Color: The Complete Guide to Lightroom Mobile Presets
How to install, use, and customize DNG presets to give your photos a professional consistent look.
Color grading is the secret sauce that separates a snapshot from a professional photograph. It sets the mood, directs the viewer's eye, and establishes a personal style. But mastering color theory takes years. That's where Lightroom Presets come in.
107: ### What are DNG Presets?
108: On desktop, presets are usually .xmp files. On mobile, they are packaged as .DNG (Digital Negative) image files. A DNG preset is essentially a raw photo that already has the edits applied. When you "copy settings" from this DNG file, you are copying the exact position of every slider (Exposure, Contrast, HSL, Curves) and pasting them onto your own photo.
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110: ### Step-by-Step Installation Guide
111: Using presets on the free Adobe Lightroom Mobile app is straightforward once you know the workflow:
112: 1. Download: Save the .dng file to your phone's Files app or Gallery. It might look like a blank or unedited photo initially—don't worry!
2. Import to Lightroom: Open Lightroom and add the DNG file just like any other photo.
3. Create Preset:
* Open the DNG image in the editor.
* Tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner.
* Select "Create Preset".
* Give it a name (e.g., "Vivid - Neon Streets") and save it.
4. Apply: Open your own photo, scroll the bottom menu to "Presets," find your saved preset, and tap it. Boom! Instant color grade.
How to Customize Presets
A preset is rarely a "one-click fix" because every photo is shot under different lighting conditions. After applying a preset, tweak these three sliders first:
- Exposure: If the photo is too bright or dark.
- White Balance (Temp/Tint): If the skin tones look too orange or too blue.
- Contrast: To punch up the drama or soften the look.
Why Use Vivid Presets?
Our Vivid Preset collection is specifically tuned for smartphone sensors. Mobile photos often have different dynamic ranges and color science than DSLR raw files. We adjust our curves and HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) specifically to flatter iPhone and Android JPEG/HEIC files, ensuring your skin tones remain natural while the environment gets that cinematic pop.