Top 35 Free Lightroom Presets for Stunning Landscape Photography

There are hundreds of Lightroom presets available for download. Some are part of paid packages; others are free.

What are Lightroom Presets? Well, Lightroom presets are easy recipes for post-processing. In one click, you can completely change the style of your landscape images.

I’ve chosen 35 free Lightroom presets to share that will shake up your landscape photography. Most are for colour, daytime scenes, but I’ve included some for astrophotography, black & white conversion, and a few special effects.

How to Download Lightroom Presets

Before I jump into the recommended presets, let me show you how to install Lightroom presets. First, download the preset and unzip if necessary.

There are two ways to install presets for Lightroom.

Option 1

In the left column of the Develop Module, click the plus sign next to the Presets window. You’ll have the option to import a preset. By default, Lightroom stores the preset under the User Presets tab.

Option 2

Drag a folder containing presets into the Develop Presets folder on your computer. This folder can be tricky to find. Here are the steps I take to get to this folder:

Go to the Presets tab under Preferences
Click the button “Show All Other Lightroom Presets”
Open the Lightroom folder

Drag a new folder containing Lightroom presets into the Develop Presets folder. The next time you open Lightroom, a new group of presets will appear.

Color Lightroom Presets for Landscape Photography

35. Wanderlust

Fix the Photo has many quality presets. Wanderlust is the first of three I’ve included in this article. The Wanderlust preset subtly enhances your landscape with clarity and contrast.

Top 35 Free Lightroom Presets for Stunning Landscape Photography

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -36
Shadows increased +38
Whites decreased -17
Blacks decreased -17
Clarity increased +21
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +20
Saturation 0

There are also slight changes to the tone curve, white balance, and the HSL panel.

Download Preset (automatic download)

34. Magic Nature

Magic Nature by Fix the Photo seems to find colours that I didn’t think were in my image. The preset favours purples and reds. The free presets on Fix the Photo come and go. This is one of my favourites. Let’s hope this one stays around!

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +24
Highlights decreased -24
Shadows increased +31
Whites increased +12
Blacks decreased -31
Clarity increased +48
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +26
Saturation 0

There are also large changes in Split Toning and the HSL panel. All colors have been saturated, some more than others.

Download Preset (automatic download)

33. Dull Slot Canyon

The Dull Slot Canyon preset is part of the Exploring Exposure Landscape bundle. This is a set of additive presets that work together to enhance your photos. I’m going to talk about two presets in this bundle that immediately enhance your image. Dull Slot Canyon enhances the sunset and autumn colors of your image. Add one of the high contrast scene presets and your colours will really pop.

This preset makes all changes in the HSL saturation panel.

Download Preset Bundle

32. High Contrast Scene – Light Shadows

The High Contrast Scene – Light Shadows preset is part of the Exploring Exposure Landscape bundle. This set of additive presets work together to enhance your photos. High Contrast Scene – Light Shadows, as the name suggests, increases contrast and lightens shadows. This brings out the colourful details in your landscape.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -100
Shadows increased +100
Whites increased +69
Blacks decreased -46
Clarity increased +10
Dehaze 0
Vibrance 0
Saturation 0

There are also slight changes to the tone curve and noise reduction.

Download Preset Bundle

31. Classic Bright

Classic Bright found on Preset Love creates a bright, high contrast scene full of color. There’s nothing moody about this preset. It brings in all the light of a bright sunny day.

Exposure increased +0.50
Contrast increased +21
Highlights decreased -50
Shadows increased +45
Whites increased +35
Blacks increased +10
Clarity increased +25
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +20
Saturation increased +15

There are also changes to the white balance, tone curve, HSL panel, and noise reduction. A slight post-crop vignette holds the lightness in check.

Download Preset

30. Summer Breeze

When I’m gifted free presets from the post-processing queen, Nicolesy, I jump on them. I’ll recommend four of her free presets. The first is the understated preset Summer Breeze. It subtly clarifies your landscape’s colours and freshens your image.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights 0
Shadows 0
Whites 0
Blacks 0
Clarity 0
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +33
Saturation 0

There are changes to the tone curve and split toning. A color priority post-crop vignette centers the scene.

Download Preset

29. Summertime

The Summertime preset by Nicolesy is bright and breezy. Shadows are brightened allowing your colors to pop.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights 0
Shadows 0
Whites 0
Blacks 0
Clarity increased +4
Dehaze 0
Vibrance decreased -33
Saturation increased +48

There are changes to the tone curve, split toning and in the HSL panel. There is also a highlight priority post-crop vignette.

Download Preset

28. Sucker Punch

The Sucker Punch preset by Look Filter is for photographers who like cool shadows. There is definite contrast afoot, and it works well.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -9
Shadows increased +25
Whites decreased -15
Blacks increased +30
Clarity increased +25
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +5
Saturation decreased -15

There are changes to white balance and the tone curve. The largest changes are in the HSL panel with a unique recipe of color changes.

Download Preset

27. Enter Sandman

The Enter Sandman preset by Look Filter warms up the image like a sunset. The increased shadows brightens the image. The whites ensure there are no high-key areas distracting the viewer.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +15
Highlights decreased -37
Shadows increased +38
Whites decreased -34
Blacks decreased -29
Clarity increased +16
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +20
Saturation decreased -20

There are also changes to the tone curve, white balance, and colour calibration. Saturation is added in the HSL panel.

Download Preset

26. High Tide

The High Tide preset by Look Filter is for photographers who want a cool, muted colour scheme. There’s plenty of colour, but the effect is of dim light on a hazy day. This Lightroom preset feels cinematographic, empowering any landscape scene.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +11
Highlights increased +11
Shadows increased +7
Whites increased +30
Blacks decreased -2
Clarity increased +17
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +50
Saturation decreased -35

Changes to the white balance, HSL panel and split toning warm the highlights and cool the shadows. Changes in the tone curve further even out the light.

Download Preset

25. Very Dynamic

The Very Dynamic preset by Preset Pro is as it says, very dynamic. This is a strong preset that highlights details through contrast. The increased blacks and clarity punch the scene. It gives the impression of a stronger sun during the blue hour.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +96
Highlights decreased -96
Shadows increased +93
Whites decreased -93
Blacks increased +96
Clarity increased +40
Dehaze 0
Vibrance decreased -6
Saturation decreased -5

There are also slight changes to the tone curve, split toning, and the HSL panel.

Download Preset

24. Warm Light

The Warm Light preset by Preset Pro brings out the sun in your image – even if there wasn’t a lot of sun when you took the photo. This preset warms up and brings out the light and detail.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +32
Highlights decreased -25
Shadows increased +43
Whites increased +18
Blacks increased +38
Clarity increased +45
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +35
Saturation increased +15

There are also changes to the white balance, tone curve and individual colors such as blue and orange.

Download Preset

23. A Beautiful Release

Tray Radcliff is a travel and landscape photographer known for his work with HDR and his unique post-processing style. I’m including four presets from his free preset bundle. The first is A Beautiful Release. This preset gives a bright but slightly desaturated look to your images. Contrast punches the detail.

Exposure increased +1.40
Contrast increased +22
Highlights decreased -34
Shadows increased +37
Whites decreased -49
Blacks increased +23
Clarity increased +45
Dehaze 0
Vibrance decreased -19
Saturation decreased -15

There are also changes to the white balance, tone curve and noise reduction. Colors are further shaded with changes in split toning and the HSL panel.

Download Preset Bundle

22. Hotel of Budapest

Hotel of Budapest is a preset by Tray Radcliff included in his free preset bundle. While many landscape presets increase contrast, this preset reduces contrast to create a smooth, dreamy look. A light sepia effect bathes the photo in warm light.

Exposure increased +0.34
Contrast decreased -6
Highlights decreased -44
Shadows increased +11
Whites decreased -46
Blacks increased +21
Clarity decreased -42
Dehaze 0
Vibrance decreased -2
Saturation decreased -16

There are also changes to the tone curve, split toning, noise reduction and in the HSL panel. A slight post-crop vignette finishes the look.

Download Preset Bundle

21. Alkaline Storm

Alkaline Storm, a preset by Tray Radcliff included in his free preset bundle, is not for the faint of heart. This preset brings a strong yellow, other worldly cast to your images. No feel-good warmth in this preset. It’s a full-on sun blast.

Exposure increased +0.80
Contrast increased +15
Highlights increased +86
Shadows increased +47
Whites decreased -29
Blacks decreased -10
Clarity increased +5
Dehaze 0
Vibrance 0
Saturation 0

There are also changes to the white balance, tone curve, noise reduction, and the HSL panel. A slight post-crop vignette is also added. But it’s changes in the split toning that makes the look.

Download Preset Bundle

20. Landscape Effect 16

The landscape preset bundle from CreativeTacos includes some definite keepers. I’ll talk about four. The first is Landscape Effect 16. This is a preset seemingly changes little yet has a big effect. The muted colours give a rainy day feel to the image.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +12
Highlights 0
Shadows 0
Whites 0
Blacks 0
Clarity increased +29
Dehaze 0
Vibrance 0
Saturation 0

There are changes to the white balance and tone curve, but it’s the split toning creating the color cast.

Download Preset Bundle

19. Landscape Effect 25

Landscape Effect 25 in the CreativeTacos bundle cools down your scene, emphasising blues and reds in a unique way. There’s a richness to this preset that I love.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +40
Highlights 0
Shadows increased +26
Whites 0
Blacks increased +5
Clarity increased +48
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +10
Saturation decreased -17

There are changes to the white balance, tone curve, and split toning with a slight post-crop vignette.

Download Preset Bundle

18. Aged Film

Aged Film found on Preset Love desaturates the image while retaining all the detail and contrast.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +21
Highlights decreased -71
Shadows increased +50
Whites increased +30
Blacks increased +10
Clarity increased +10
Dehaze 0
Vibrance 0
Saturation decreased -12

Changes to white balance warms the image. There are also changes to the tone curve, split toning and in the HSL panel. Grain and a post-crop vignette are added and extra sharpening brings out the details.

Download Preset

17. Nature Lovers

The Nature Lovers by Fix the Photo is a dark, near monochrome preset. The preset retains some golds and yellows but with a cool steeliness of a cloudy day. The blacks are punched in this preset.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +32
Highlights decreased -33
Shadows increased +45
Whites decreased -26
Blacks increased +45
Clarity 0
Dehaze 0
Vibrance decreased -52
Saturation 0

The largest changes are in the HSL panel with a unique recipe of color changes. There are also changes to the white balance, tone curve, split toning with some added grain.

Download Preset (automatic download)

16. Autumn Vintage

Autumn Vintage found on Preset Love is for all those vintage lovers. The preset desaturates and warms the image. The added bit of lightness simulates a faded image.

Exposure increased +0.44
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -2
Shadows decreased -2
Whites increased +2
Blacks decreased -2
Clarity decreased -5
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +14
Saturation decreased -36

Changes to the white balance and split toning warm the image. There are also changes to the tone curve and in the HSL panel. All colours are saturated, some more than others.

Download Preset

15. Desaturated Cinema

Desaturated Cinema is a preset from Contrastly. Landscapes come in all moods and weathers. This preset mutes the colours. Much like the colours on a cloudy winter’s day.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +5
Highlights decreased -20
Shadows increased +20
Whites decreased -20
Blacks decreased -10
Clarity increased +40
Dehaze 0
Vibrance decreased -10
Saturation decreased -50

There is also a bit of split toning and post-crop vignetting.

Download Preset (automatic download)

14. Landscape Effect 2

A couple of CreativeTacos’ presets create a reddish colour cast to your landscape. Landscape Effect 2 is one of these. The whites and highlights are downplayed creating a moody pastel look.

Exposure increased +0.36
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -64
Shadows increased +12
Whites decreased -21
Blacks increased +21
Clarity increased +48
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +50
Saturation 0

There are changes to the white balance, tone curve, and split toning with a slight post-crop vignette.

Download Preset Bundle

13. Cinematic Film

Preset Pro has another take on the cinematic style with their Cinematic Film preset. Decreasing contrast, highlights and whites gives the image a dark, moody look. Extra sharpening and grain adds to the grungy flavor.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +9
Highlights decreased -100
Shadows decreased -11
Whites decreased -100
Blacks increased +27
Clarity decreased -10
Dehaze increased +7
Vibrance increased +15
Saturation 0

There are also changes to the tone curve, and split toning with some added sharpening.

Download Preset

Astrophotography Lightroom Presets for Landscape Photography

12. Alhena

There are a lot of quality presets in Film Speck One bundle. I especially like what they do to my astrophotography images. I usually have a spin through all the presets, but I’ll recommend three from the set. Alhena takes a subtle approach with just a touch of contrast to bring out the colours.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights increased +20
Shadows decreased -20
Whites increased +21
Blacks decreased -11
Clarity increased +20
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +23
Saturation 0

There’s also changes in split toning to bring out the blues.

Download Preset Bundle (Select $0.00 for free access)

11. Brandenburg

The Brandenburg preset in the Film Speck One bundle increases the contrast and darkens the overall effect.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +66
Highlights decreased -64
Shadows increased +95
Whites 0
Blacks 0
Clarity increased +60
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +15
Saturation 0

There’s also a bit of grain added to the image.

Download Preset Bundle (Select $0.00 for free access)

10. Terebellum

The Terebellum preset in the Film Speck One bundle is the strongest I’m recommending. I like the way my night sky pops.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +50
Highlights decreased -44
Shadows increased +40
Whites 0
Blacks 0
Clarity increased +44
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +15
Saturation 0

There is a strong change in the tone curve.

Download Preset Bundle (Select $0.00 for free access)

Black and White Lightroom Presets for Landscape Photography

9. Landscape Effect 21

It’s important to include a few black & white presets in my recommendations. If you’re looking for a good black & white preset, you can’t go far wrong with CreativeTacos Landscape Effect 21. The preset emphasises much needed contrast in a monochrome conversion.

Exposure decreased -0.71
Contrast decreased -14
Highlights 0
Shadows increased +100
Whites increased +31
Blacks increased +93
Clarity increased +100
Dehaze increased +7

There are changes to the tone curve, split toning and sharpening. A paint overlay post-crop vignette completes the look.

Download Preset Bundle

8. Monoceros

If you’ve downloaded the Film Speck One bundles, check out the black & white presets. There are many winners in this bundle. Monoceros gives your images a strong dark look.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -93
Shadows increased +44
Whites 0
Blacks 0
Clarity increased +59
Dehaze 0

The tone curve and B&W filter panel have also been changed.

Download Preset Bundle (Select $0.00 for free access)

7. Broken Photocopier

The Broken Photocopier preset by Tray Radcliff brings a sepia monochrome look to your photos. Your images will look like an old-fashioned photo losing detail with age. Increasing noise reduction smooths out the details. Tray achieves this look through a unique Black & White filter mix.

Exposure increased +0.30
Contrast increased +50
Highlights decreased -11
Shadows increased +11
Whites increased +10
Blacks increased +21
Clarity increased +12
Dehaze 0

There are also changes to the white balance, tone curve and noise reduction is increased. Colors are shaded in split toning and in the Black & White filter mix panel. A heavy post-crop vignette is also added.

Download Preset Bundle

6. Aged B&W Print

If you’re looking for a way to quickly create an aged black and white landscape, it doesn’t get better than Nicolesy’s Aged B&W Print preset. The preset lightens the image through filters and a light post-crop vignette. You’ll even get a slight rounding on the corners of your image.

Nicolse starts with the Adobe Standard B&W profile and changes nothing in the Basic panel.

There are changes to the tone curve, split toning and in the B&W filter panel. There is a strong post-crop vignette.

Download Preset

5. B&W Infrared

I’m always on the lookout for a good black and white infrared preset. My current favourite is one found at Gumroad. This preset darkens the blues and lightens the green for the infrared look we love. The settings are changed through an embedded profile.

This profile starts with the Adobe Standard B&W profile and changes nothing in the Basic panel.

The white balance, tone curve, and many colours in the B&W filter panel are significantly altered as are colors in the Calibration panel.

Download Preset (Enter $0.00 for free access)

4. B&W Infrared

Preset Love has an interesting black and white infrared effect. Color is removed, but strong contrast and detail remain. The infrared effect is created in the B&W panel by lightening colours such as green and darkening colors such as blue.

Exposure 0
Contrast increased +42
Highlights decreased -48
Shadows increased +69
Whites decreased -23
Blacks increased +38
Clarity increased +51
Dehaze 0

There are changes to the white balance, tone curve, split toning and in the B&W filter panel.

Download Preset

Lightroom Presets with Special Effects for Landscape Photography

Sometimes my scene screams for a sun flare or another special effect. I keep a few special effect Lightroom presets on hand for just such occasions. These special effects are sometimes what you need to add a bit of interest to your landscape photography.

3. Sun Flare

The Sun Flare preset by PresetPro uses the gradient filter to warm and lighten the left side of the image. This simulates a strong light source just off frame.

Exposure decreased -1.00
Contrast 0
Highlights decreased -25
Shadows increased +29
Whites decreased -16
Blacks increased +20
Clarity 0
Dehaze increased +6
Vibrance 0
Saturation 0

There are further changes to white balance, tone curve, and noise reduction. Split toning and changes in the HSL panel highlight the pastel colors in the scene.

Download Preset

2. Sun Flare

I’m not sure if Nicolesy intended her Sun Flare preset to work with landscape photography, but I like the result. This preset sharpens detail and creates a bright, soft glow in the highlights.

Exposure 0
Contrast 0
Highlights 0
Shadows increased +53
Whites increased +56
Blacks increased +30
Clarity 0
Dehaze 0
Vibrance increased +74
Saturation decreased -25

There are changes to the tone curve and split toning with a paint overlay post-crop vignette.

Download Preset

1. Light & Flare Red Line Left

Phlearn has come out with a light leak and flare bundle. Play with all the presets, but my favourite is Light & Flare Red Line Left. The description is in the title. A red vertical light leak from the left side of the frame. The effect is created using gradient filters.

No changes are made to the Basic panel.

Download Preset Bundle
(Click the download icon in the upper right corner)

Conclusion

These are my 35 landscape photography presets recommendations – at least for now. I’m always discovering new presets.

Results of these presets vary depending on your subject and lighting. Feel free to tweak them for a more personalised and scene-specific edit.

Have a look at our article on long exposure landscape photography to create some stunning scenic shots!

And try our preset collection, too!