Lightroom Presets Inspired by Nature
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been experimenting with different ways of processing my Fujifilm RAW files in Lightroom.
Rather than trying to reproduce Fujifilm film simulations exactly, I wanted to create a small collection of presets based on different moods and colour palettes. The idea is not to completely transform a photograph, but to establish a starting point that I can then adjust depending on the light, subject and atmosphere of each image.
Nature has been one of my main references. Greens, dry vegetation, earth, forests and changing light can produce very different colours, and I wanted presets that could interpret those environments in different ways.
These are not commercial presets or scientifically accurate reproductions of a particular film stock. They are simply part of my own experimentation with colour and Lightroom, developed around the kind of photography I enjoy making.
Moody Earthy
Moody Earthy is probably one of the darkest and most atmospheric presets in this collection.
The idea behind it is to move away from bright, highly saturated greens and create something quieter and more organic. Greens become deeper and slightly muted, while browns, ochres and earthy colours become more noticeable.
The overall contrast remains relatively soft, with controlled highlights and slightly lifted shadows, helping to preserve detail while maintaining a darker atmosphere.
There is also a subtle warmth in the image. Reds, oranges and skin tones remain present, which means the preset can work not only with landscapes but also with photographs containing people.
I particularly like it for forests, rural landscapes, vegetation, cloudy days and scenes where I want to create a more introspective atmosphere.
It isn’t intended to make every photograph look the same. Exposure and white balance will almost always need a small adjustment, and sometimes I will reduce or increase the intensity of the greens depending on the photograph.
For me, that is exactly what a Lightroom preset should be: a starting point rather than a finished photograph.
The character of Moody Earthy
The main characteristics I was looking for were:
- deep, desaturated greens
- earthy browns and ochres
- restrained overall saturation
- warm but natural skin tones
- softer highlights
- slightly faded blacks
- a subtle film-like texture
- a darker, calm and organic atmosphere
The result reminds me more of an autumn forest, an overcast countryside or old natural-history photography than the clean and highly saturated look we often associate with modern digital photography.
And that is precisely what I like about it.
Download the Preset
Both versions of the preset are available for download below:
- Desktop Version — designed for RAW files and use with Adobe Lightroom Classic / Lightroom Desktop.
- iPhone / Mobile Version — adapted for photos taken with an iPhone and use with Adobe Lightroom Mobile.
Use the same photographic style across your camera and iPhone.
RAW – Fujifilm X-T20 — Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR
