USETSU presets v2 is a collection of four Lightroom presets.
Over 700 copies of v1 have been sold. For v2, I narrowed the lineup and reworked the look of each preset. The price has also changed.
01 WABI
A preset for everyday editing, mainly for street and landscape photos. Since v1, the goal has been a look you can keep using for years, one that does not depend on trends.
It carries over the contrast inspired by the world of In Praise of Shadows, and the pairing of warm and cool tones. Shadows lean warm, and midtones through highlights lean blue.
For this version, I revised the midtone color and the blue tone curve to keep blue from becoming too prominent. The aim was to preserve WABI’s colors while reducing the need for color adjustments after applying the preset.
Before
After
Before
After
02 SHIORI
A preset mainly for photos of people. The v2 SHIORI uses different settings from the v1 preset of the same name.
In v1, photos finished with WABI and photos finished with SHIORI were hard to match when placed side by side. In v2, SHIORI uses WABI’s approach to color. This makes it easier to keep colors consistent when showing portraits alongside street or landscape photos.
The contrast is tuned for people, with the dark areas lifted. Clarity is set lower than in WABI to make skin and edges look less harsh.
SHIORI combines warmth in the skin with a touch of blue in the bright areas. White and pale clothing may also pick up some blue.
Red and orange saturation is reduced as well. Skin color changes with the light at the time of shooting, so adjust the white balance or the red and orange settings in HSL as needed.
Before
After
Before
After
If you want to adjust the color of clothing, use a mask to correct that area only.
03 SABI
A monochrome preset built around contrast and grain. It keeps the theme of v1, a timeless look.
It builds contrast in the dark areas while lifting the brightness of the midtones. Grain is added, and the edges of the frame are darkened.
Converting a photo to monochrome can reveal something you had not noticed in color. The images below show the finished results.
04 KARUMI
A film-like preset for trying a different look. It has lifted shadows and larger grain.
It combines warm shadows with blue from the midtones through the highlights, giving a color balance different from WABI. Adjust the amount and size of the grain to suit the photo.
Before
After
Before
After
Other notes
The four presets do not include Exposure, White Balance, Contrast, or Highlights from the Basic panel. Sharpening, Noise Reduction, and Masks are also left out. See the screen below for the range of settings that are saved.
The range of saved settings is the same for all four presets. Unchecked items keep their current values when a preset is applied. After applying a preset, adjust brightness and color to suit the photo.
00 Reset is a helper preset. It keeps Exposure, White Balance, and similar settings, and returns the color and texture settings to their defaults. It does not change the profile, so to return to color after SABI, select a color profile again.
USETSU presets v2 FAQ
Can I use USETSU presets v2 for commercial work?
Yes. The presets can be used for commercial photography. They were made with professional work in mind.
Which apps and versions are supported?
The package includes XMP files for Lightroom Classic, Lightroom (the cloud-based desktop app), and Adobe Camera Raw, and DNG files for Lightroom mobile (iOS and Android). I recommend using the latest version of each app.
Can I use the presets on mobile?
Yes. DNG files for WABI, SHIORI, SABI, and KARUMI are provided for mobile use.
Import the DNG files into Lightroom mobile as photos, then create presets from their edit settings. See the included PDF manual (Japanese and English) for the steps.
The DNG files do not include the profiles specified in the XMP versions (Adobe Standard and Adobe Monochrome). Because of this, the same photo may show differences in color and tone compared with the XMP versions.
How do I download the presets?
After your order, you will receive an email with a URL to access the content. You can also use the "Access Digital Content" button on the order page.
The XMP files for desktop use are provided in a ZIP file. The DNG files are provided individually for direct download to your mobile device.
How do I install the presets in Lightroom?
See the included PDF manual (Japanese and English). Adobe's official guides also explain how to import presets.
How to download and import presets in Lightroom
Import DNG presets in Lightroom mobile
I bought the previous USETSU presets. What about v2?
If you purchased the previous version, v2 is free. See the product page for the steps and conditions.
Can I return the presets or get a refund?
Returns and refunds are not available after purchase.
Can I modify and sell USETSU presets v2, or resell them as they are?
Reselling the presets is not permitted. Selling modified versions of the settings is also prohibited.
You can purchase the presets here.
