Lightroom Presets by peva3

Overview

Lightroom Presets by peva3 is a free, open-source collection of XMP presets for film-inspired and creative photo editing in Lightroom. It suits photographers who want a large, editable starting library without paying for a commercial pack. Its breadth and MIT license are appealing, but applying a preset is only a first pass: expect to tune white balance and exposure to suit each image.

Key features

The collection spans 445 presets across 13 categories, including looks inspired by Kodak Portra, Fujifilm Classic Chrome, Cinestill 800T and Ilford HP5, as well as creative styles and alternative processes. That range gives users room to explore different treatments from one download; it does not remove the need to choose and refine a look for the photo.

The presets are XMP files compatible with Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC. They can be inspected, modified and shared, which makes this a better fit for photographers who want to adjust a preset or learn from its settings than for someone seeking a locked, polished workflow. The project also says video presets and mobile support are included, although its installation guidance concerns Lightroom's desktop Develop Presets folders.

A ZIP download contains all 445 presets. Installation involves copying the files into the relevant Develop Presets folder on macOS or Windows, then restarting Lightroom. The project recommends adjusting white balance and exposure after application, and says its grain settings were tuned for 24MP images; users with other resolutions should be prepared to adjust grain to taste.

The MIT license permits broad use, and the project presents the collection as a free, open-source alternative to commercial packs. Questions and contributions can be raised through an issue or discussion.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes 445 XMP presets under the MIT license. It is an unusually generous starting point for someone willing to install and refine presets themselves. There is no cheaper tier with a smaller selection, but there is also no paid tier offering a different service level or a more curated workflow.

The project is a download rather than a subscription. No seat count, usage quota or trial term is specified in the plan; the MIT license and editable files make it suited to users who want to work directly with the presets rather than buy a packaged commercial collection.

Platforms

The project lists macOS and Windows and supports Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC. The mobile-support claim may interest photographers who also edit on a phone, but the supplied installation instructions cover desktop folder paths, so desktop users have the clearest setup guidance.

Who it's for

This is a strong choice for photographers who want a broad, no-cost library of film-inspired looks, are comfortable copying files into Lightroom, and value editable presets with an MIT license. It is less suited to users who want a tightly curated paid pack, a guided mobile-first setup, or a preset that reliably fits an image without exposure and white-balance adjustments.

Pros and cons

Pros

• 445 presets across 13 categories provide a broad range of film-inspired and creative starting points at no cost.
• XMP files can be inspected, modified and shared under the MIT license, giving technically curious users room to adapt the collection.
• Support for Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC covers the project's stated desktop editing targets.

Cons

• Installation requires manual file copying and a Lightroom restart, rather than an in-app setup.
• White balance and exposure often need adjustment after applying a preset, so the library is not a one-click finish.
• Grain was tuned for 24MP images, which may require extra adjustment on photos at other resolutions.

Alternatives

Browse Photo Preset Libraries to compare more options. Choose Greater Than Gatsby if you prefer a commercial bundle: its Complete Presets Bundle is $249, paid once and includes 641 Lightroom presets for Lightroom CC and Classic CC, Camera Raw, Mac and PC.

VSCO is worth considering if you want a freemium preset product across web, iOS and Android, with a 15-preset free Starter tier and a 200+ preset Plus tier at $29.99 a year. Visual Flow is another option for photographers considering a paid preset product, with a B&W Mixer pack priced at $110, paid once.

RNI Films is an alternative if you want to explore a freemium product for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. 123Presets may suit buyers looking for paid downloadable packs, with Lightroom preset packs priced at $15, paid once. Signature Edits offers paid collections, including Clean & Classic at $59, paid once and the AI Engine Preset Toolkit at $79, paid once. Contrastly Lightroom Presets and Presetpro are also alternatives.

Verdict

Lightroom Presets by peva3 is best for Lightroom photographers who want a large, editable film-inspired collection without a purchase. Its combination of 445 presets and an MIT license is the main reason to choose it; the manual installation and expected image-by-image adjustments are the reasons to look elsewhere if convenience or a more hands-off finish matters more.