About USETSU presets (English)

My name is Takashi Yasui, and I am a photographer based in Tokyo. My first encounter with Lightroom was back in 2013. At that time, it wasn't the subscription-based model we see today but was a one-time purchase called Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4. Looking at my receipt, the price was ¥12,800. Back then, I wasn't a professional or anything, so spending that amount on software was quite a big decision for me.

Before long, it became an indispensable partner in my photographic journey. For the past 10 years, I haven't gone a single day without opening Lightroom, which shows just how integral it has become to my work.

In 2023, I published my comprehensive photo book, PERSONAL WORK. I confronted and selected from approximately 150,000 past photos, re-edited them, and engaged in intense discussions with the printing director about color corrections and other aspects. Throughout the process of completing the photo book, I faced the colors of my photographs more than ever before. Considering this a milestone, I am now offering my original Lightroom presets—USETSU presets—for sale.

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No need to purchase Lightroom presets

To be honest, I don't believe purchasing Lightroom presets is strictly necessary. Firstly, even if you buy a creator's preset, your photos remain uniquely yours; they won't magically transform to look exactly like the creator's samples. Moreover, the presets might not always align perfectly due to differences in camera brands, which introduces an element of uncertainty.

I've personally bought several creator presets and found that they didn't always deliver the effects I was hoping for.

However, considering that this article is about selling presets, let's delve into the advantages of purchasing them. One of the main benefits is gaining insights from a creator's years of accumulated editing experience. In my case, it's a culmination of 10 years of editing approximately 150,000 photos, which is distilled into USETSU presets.

So, for those who are new to Lightroom or those who haven't been fully satisfied with their presets, this could be an excellent shortcut or a source of inspiration.

For professionals like me, who rely on photography for a living and regularly need to deliver hundreds of shots, to bring hundreds of photos to a consistently strong level—say, 85–90% of their potential—quickly and reliably. These presets are designed with this in mind, aiming to find a common ground from the start. Whether you use the preset as it is or as a base to customize your unique color palette, it offers flexibility in its application.

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Regarding the compatibility differences between camera manufacturers, while creating  USETSU presets, I sought the collaboration of several creators and tested the presets with RAW files from various brands. While I've designed them to be reasonably compatible across different manufacturers, it should be noted that I personally use a FUJIFILM camera, so naturally, the presets work especially well with FUJIFILM files

Before diving into the specifics of USETSU presets, there are a few key points I'd like to highlight:

The Importance of RAW Processing

In Lightroom, you edit RAW files. There are primarily two reasons for this. First, compared to JPEG, RAW files contain a wealth of information that can be leveraged during the development process.

Secondly, the choice of profiles available for RAW files is vastly superior.

 You can choose the profile from the indicated arrow section.

Profiles function much like a foundational filter, similar to presets but without altering specific editing parameters. Unlike presets, which alter editing parameters, profiles don't change these parameters (though some profiles allow you to choose the amount applied).

Since profiles don't adjust the editing parameters, you can think of them as a base or foundation for your edits. While you can make changes later, it's generally a good idea to view profiles as your starting point in the editing process.

Compared to JPEGs, RAW files offer a broader range of profile choices. By selecting “Camera Matching” from the dropdown, you can also choose profiles provided by various camera manufacturers. Camera Matching isn't available for JPEGs, which means a profile has already been baked in.

For USETSU presets, “Adobe Standard” is set as the default. Since I use a FUJIFILM camera, I usually toggle between “Pro Neg Std” and “PROVIA/Standard” from the Camera Matching options.

The choice of profile can change the color tone and contrast of the image.

This profile selection, along with the degree to which it's applied, can add a unique character to your photos. Since profiles don't adjust the editing parameters, there are occasional cases where an unintended profile might be selected, so be cautious.

Lightroom may sometimes apply an unexpected profile by default, so it’s worth double-checking.

Understanding the role of each editing parameter: While I won't delve deeply into each parameter here, it's essential to understand that they all have interrelated roles. It's beneficial to visualize the role of each parameter, imagining their effects while looking at actual photographs.

RAW with the profile set to “Adobe Standard.”

First and foremost, the most crucial parameter is undoubtedly the “Basic Adjustments.” This parameter will require fine-tuning from start to finish. If the exposure or white balance isn't accurate, no matter how much you adjust the other parameters, there's a high chance of getting lost.

The next essential parameter is the “Tone Curve.” Here, you adjust finer contrasts and colors. Specifically, this refers to the point curve, and even a slight bend in the curve can significantly alter the image. It's akin to the accelerator in a car.

Adjusting the Tone Curve, I'm going bold to amplify the contrast here.
Think of it like stepping on the accelerator.

Once you hit the gas with the Tone Curve, you'll tap the brakes with the “HSL” (Hue, Saturation, Luminance). Adjusting each color, you'll find the right balance and pace. The Basic Adjustments also act as brakes in this phase.

Adjusting the HSL and Basic settings,
I'm carefully balancing the shadows and highlights, along with the color tones.
Think of this as applying the brakes.

In essence, it's like driving a car where you smoothly alternate between the accelerator (Tone Curve) and the brakes (HSL & Basic Adjustments). This interplay, to me, encapsulates the editing process in Lightroom.

Once you get the hang of it, you can add a unique touch using “Color Grading”. Considering complementary color relationships, you'll refine the image to really make it your own.

Color Grading. Pay attention to the color of the asphalt,
and you'll notice the effective touch of amber that's been introduced.

“Details” and “Calibration” also play pivotal roles in fine-tuning the final image. Personally, I prefer photos with reduced peripheral light, but this is a matter of individual preference.

 

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Keeping the above points in mind, you might feel empowered to create your own original presets without the need to purchase any. It then becomes a matter of increasing the number of edits and finding the optimal solutions for your work.

Now, for those still interested in USETSU presets, please proceed to the details below.

Overview: “USETSU presets” by Takashi Yasui 

This collection includes a total of 10 presets.

There are 5 types: 侘び Wabi, 寂び Sabi, しおり Shiori, 細み Hosomi, and 軽み Karumi, each consisting of a Side-A and a Side-B configuration.

• Wabi ... Suitable for street and nature photography
• Sabi ... Monochrome
• Shiori ... Ideal for portraits

In contrast to these classic presets,

• Hosomi
• Karumi

are presets that offer a cinematic feel.

【侘び】

01 WABI-A

This is the core preset of the collection. I aimed to create a profile that remains consistent regardless of trends.

The contrast is adjusted based on the aesthetics found in In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki. The shadows are reduced to the brink of maintaining details, while the infused amber tone imparts warmth. Introducing a complementary royal blue from the mid-tones to the highlights creates color contrast, adding depth throughout the photograph.

02 WABI-B

WABI-A comes with an alternate version that offers a distinct personality. While it retains the contrast of In Praise of Shadows, this preset applies a color grading of cyan-blue tones throughout. It gives a cool impression and pairs well with scenes like a lakeside morning, rain-soaked alleys, or backlit sunsets. If you find it too blue, you can adjust using the white balance.

All the presets in this collection are set to the "Adobe Standard" profile. However, switching to "Adobe Color" when needed can add depth to the colors and contrast.

【寂び】

03 SABI-A

The theme for this collection is “Timeless”, which naturally necessitated the inclusion of a monochrome preset. In this preset, I've focused on achieving a refined contrast and grainy texture, aiming to capture the beauty of serenity and simplicity.

Certain qualities of a photograph, which may be overlooked in color, can be rediscovered through monochrome. This process reveals the core nature of photography.

04 SABI-B

This version has reduced contrast compared to SABI-A and can also be used for portraits. In such cases, it's recommended to increase the orange in “Black & White Mix,” which brightens the skin tone. It pairs well with backlit city photos, resulting in an evenly toned, gentle impression of black and white photography.

【しおり】

05 SHIORI-A

Shiori is a preset that pairs well with natural light portraits. Initially, I infused the shadows with amber similar to WABI-A, but considering its compatibility with skin tones, I opted for green. This gave the photos a more refined finish. For skin colors, please adjust as needed using masks or the red and orange in HSL. This preset is recommended not just for portraits of people, but also for animal photography.

06 SHIORI-B

SHIORI-A is a different character variant of the original. The contrast has been optimized for portraits. By adding cyan-blue through the tone curve and color grading, it yields a cool-toned portrait. It effectively removes any excess yellow from the frame, often making it a perfect match for product photography at first try. As with the other presets, please adjust skin tones as needed using masks or the red and orange in HSL.

【細み】

07 HOSOMI-A

A preset that evolved from WABI. Even so, its faint shadows are so distinct that it retains little of its original form, emphasizing a sense of deep mystery and fleetingness. It pairs well with portraits on cloudy days or indoor shots, but it suits a variety of photos surprisingly well, giving it quite a broad applicability.

08 HOSOMI-B

A variant with a different character from HOSOMI-A. This version emphasizes the blue tones more, yet it's still highly versatile. The broad applicability of Hosomi might be attributed to its subdued photographic assertiveness, leaning towards a cinematic impression. There's a profound feeling, as if you're viewing the photo through a screen.

【軽み】

09 KARUMI-A

A preset evolved from Hosomi. We swung back from a cinematic expression to a photographic one. By journeying through Hosomi once, we managed to give an impression that some part of the photo seems about to move. We kept the shadows subtle and infused the image with complementary amber and royal blue tones.

10 KARUMI-B

A variant of KARUMI-A. This one features prominent cyan in the shadows. Intentionally aiming for a teal & orange look can also be intriguing. It pairs well with street photography. It offers a more cinematic feel than Wabi, yet more photographic than Hosomi, making it ideal for photo set.

Other Announcements

USETSU presets are updated based on the following checklist items. When updating the presets on your own, please make sure to tick the appropriate boxes accordingly.

USETSU presets package includes 10 presets, with the added bonus of two additional presets named “+Reset” and “+Natural”. As the name suggests, “+Reset” serves as a reset function.

“+Natural”, on the other hand, is a preset that limits adjustments primarily to basic contrast and color tuning. In commercial photography, there are instances where extensive photo editing isn't necessary, and having such a versatile preset can be quite handy.

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USETSU presets FAQ

Can I use the USETSU presets for commercial photo editing?

Absolutely. They were created with professional use in mind.

Can the preset be used on mobile devices?

Yes, the package includes DNG files that can be installed on mobile as well.

How do I download the presets?

After you place your order, you will receive an email with a URL to access the content. You can also access it from the “Access Digital Content” button on your order confirmation page.

How do I install the presets in Lightroom?