Hey guys! Ever stumbled upon a cool preset on AM (that's short for Adobe Lightroom Mobile, by the way) and thought, "Wow, I wish I could use that on my photos!" But then you get stuck trying to actually, you know, change the photo? Don't worry, we've all been there. It can seem a little confusing at first, but trust me, it's easier than you think. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, so you can start rocking those awesome presets with your own photos in no time!

Understanding AM Presets

Before diving into the how-to, let's quickly chat about what AM presets actually are. Think of them as pre-packaged editing recipes. Instead of manually tweaking every slider – exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and all that jazz – someone has already done the work for you! They've created a specific look that you can apply to your photos with just a tap. This is a huge time-saver, especially if you're aiming for a consistent aesthetic on your Instagram feed or just want to quickly enhance your photos without spending hours editing.

Presets are essentially a collection of saved settings. When you apply a preset, Lightroom Mobile copies those settings onto your current photo. This is why understanding how to change the photo within a preset is crucial. You're not actually modifying the preset itself (unless you choose to), you're just applying its settings to a different image. This also means that not every preset will look good on every photo. A preset designed for bright, sunny landscapes might not work so well on a dimly lit indoor portrait. Experimentation is key! Find presets that complement your photography style and the specific characteristics of your photos.

There are tons of places to find AM presets. Some are free, some are paid. You can even create your own! But that's a topic for another day. For now, let's focus on getting those presets working with your photos.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Photos in AM Presets

Okay, let's get down to business. Here's a simple, easy-to-follow guide on how to change the photo in an AM preset. We'll assume you've already got Lightroom Mobile installed and you have a preset ready to go. If not, go download Lightroom Mobile – it's free! – and find a preset you like. There are tons of resources online for finding free and paid presets.

1. Import the Preset: First things first, you need to get the preset into Lightroom Mobile. How you do this depends on the type of preset file you have (usually a DNG file). Generally, you'll import the DNG file like you would any other photo. Open Lightroom Mobile, tap the "+" icon to add photos, and select the DNG preset file from your phone's storage. This will import the preset as if it were a regular photo.
2. Copy the Settings: Now, open the DNG preset file in Lightroom Mobile. You'll see the photo that the preset was originally designed for. Don't worry about the photo itself; we're just after the settings. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. This will open a menu. Select "Copy Settings." A window will pop up with various settings categories. You can choose which settings to copy, but usually, you'll want to leave everything checked. Tap the checkmark in the top right corner to copy all the settings.
3. Import Your Photo: Next, import the photo you actually want to edit. Again, tap the "+" icon and select the photo from your phone's gallery.
4. Paste the Settings: Open your photo in Lightroom Mobile. Tap the three dots in the top right corner again. This time, select "Paste Settings." Boom! The preset settings are now applied to your photo.
5. Adjust as Needed: This is the most important step! Remember, not every preset will look perfect on every photo. You'll likely need to make some adjustments to fine-tune the look. Pay attention to things like exposure, contrast, white balance, and color saturation. Use the sliders to tweak these settings until you're happy with the result. Don't be afraid to experiment! This is where you can really make the preset your own and create a unique look.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don't go quite as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

• My photo looks terrible after applying the preset! This is usually because the preset isn't a good fit for your photo. Try a different preset, or adjust the settings significantly. Pay close attention to the exposure slider; often, overexposed or underexposed photos are the culprit. Remember that finding the right preset will require some trial and error.
• The colors look weird. This could be due to white balance issues. Try adjusting the white balance slider to correct the colors. You might also need to adjust the saturation and vibrance sliders.
• The photo is too dark or too bright. This is easily fixed with the exposure slider. Move it to the left to darken the photo or to the right to brighten it.
• I can't find the "Copy Settings" or "Paste Settings" option. Make sure you're using the latest version of Lightroom Mobile. These options might be located in slightly different places depending on your version of the app. If you're still having trouble, try searching online for specific instructions for your version of Lightroom Mobile.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Want to take your preset game to the next level? Here are a few advanced tips and tricks:

• Create Your Own Presets: Once you're comfortable using presets, try creating your own! This is a great way to develop your own unique editing style. Start by editing a photo to your liking, then save the settings as a preset.
• Use Selective Adjustments: Lightroom Mobile allows you to make selective adjustments to specific areas of your photo. This is useful for targeting specific areas that need tweaking without affecting the entire image. For example, you could brighten the sky without overexposing the foreground.
• Experiment with Different Blending Modes: Lightroom Mobile offers various blending modes that can be used to create interesting effects. Experiment with different blending modes to see what you can come up with.
• Batch Editing: If you have a lot of photos to edit, you can use the batch editing feature to apply the same preset to multiple photos at once. This is a huge time-saver! Make sure the lighting and composition of the photos are similar for best results.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Changing photos in AM presets is a breeze once you know the steps. Remember to copy the settings from the preset DNG file, paste them onto your photo, and then adjust as needed. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with it! Presets are a powerful tool for enhancing your photos and creating a consistent aesthetic. With a little practice, you'll be a preset pro in no time. Now go out there and create some amazing photos! Have fun editing, and don't be afraid to get creative. The world of photo editing is your oyster!