Should I use presets when editing my photos?

Presets are saved editing adjustments that allow you to recreate a specific look in one click.

While presets can help streamline the editing process, not all presets are suitable when trying to sell your work online. 

Here are a few reasons we suggest avoiding the use of heavy presets: 

1. Clients consistently tell us they want a clean neutral grade without distinctive presets/filters. We should listen to our clients!
2. It's easier for a client to adjust an image with a natural unfiltered look, but removing heavy processing is not always possible. When it is, it will damage the image quality.
3. Clients sometimes purchase from many different contributors to use in the same project. If your work has a specific preset look, it might get left out in favour of other content that is easier to edit or adjust to fit the client's aesthetic.
4. The same preset may only look amazing on some photos, even within the same series. Changes in light, angle, exposure, colours, etc., affect how a preset looks. Even if we have accepted previous content with the same preset applied, it doesn't mean it will always work. 

In short, applying heavy processing or presets to your work may limit the range of clients your work appeals to and could negatively affect your sales. A clean neutral grade will ensure your work appeals to a broader audience and won't be sent back for reprocessing as trends change.