Using Current Preset Collections in Lightroom 4

Many are wondering if you can use the current collections in Lightroom 4. This post will highlight a few options that are available in Lightroom 4 for continuing to use your One Willow Presets that were designed for Lightroom 2 & 3.  Before we start, I want to mention that some of the presets and posts were effected more than others with the settings changes in Lightroom 4 but many are still very effective with only a few small adjustments.

When you upgraded to Lightroom 4, the One Willow Presets that were installed in to your previous Lightroom version should have automatically installed into your preset panel of LR4. To begin an edit, select the photo in the develop module and simply click on the preset you want to use. This will revert your Lightroom settings back to ‘old process’. You can continue to edit in this process or you can choose to update. I like to update because I do really like the added definition Lightroom 4 gives to Raw files.

The two photos below show the original and the one click edit with Memories from the Beautiful Things Collection (before updating).

After you apply the preset and the settings have reverted back to old process, an update notice will appear in the bottom right hand side of your photo.  If you would like to update the settings to the current process, click the box with the exclamation point.

Once clicked, an update process version box will appear (unless you have chosen the don’t show again option). Click Update to update the individual photo.

Lightroom 4 will adjust the settings to what it believes to be the closest match to the old process.  The image below was after I updated to the current process and Lightroom 4 adjusted the settings.

I love that the new Raw processing in Lightroom 4 seems to add more definition but when I updated with the preset, the assumed settings lightened and brightened more than my liking. So I simply pulled back the exposure slider and decreased the clarity.  Below is the adjusted image with the current process and adjustments.

And another edit using the same update option mentioned above and the bw film preset.

After the update (before adjustments).

After the update with adjustments; decrease exposure, decrease hightlights, increase whites.

Another option you can use is to change to ‘process 2010. This is also quick and easy. Do this before your edit or before choosing the preset. Select your photo in develop module. Go to Settings>process>2010.

I hope this helps give a better understanding of using Lightroom 2 & 3 presets in Lightroom 4. I am currently in the design phase for a brand new collection for Lightroom 4. I am super excited to share this new collection with you! Coming Soon!

More Q&A about presets and Lightroom 4 can be found HERE.

One Willow Presets | The Brush Collection

The Brush Collection. Available for Lightroom 2 & 3 and Lightroom 4.

How to Use the Spot Removal Tool In Lightroom

In case you missed it, I wrote a step-by-step How to Use the Spot Removal Tool in Lightroom tutorial for I Heart Faces this week. Be sure to check it out HERE.