Non-destructive LR presets?

[beccaquint]

I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to make a LR preset add to the current settings instead of simply overwriting them? I'd like to have a preset that basically will tell LR (ie) "cool the image 75 degrees, add 1/3 stop of exposure and add 7 points of black". Something that will add to my current settings as opposed to simply overwriting them. Lately I've been doing it all image by image. I suppose I could find a way to tweak the image for a similar look and make it a PS action, but it'd be so much easier in LR...

 

[Brad Snyder]

beccaquint, welcome to the forums.

The Quick Develop adjustments work in that 'relative' fashion in the Library module, albeit without that precise level of control. In grid view, you can select multiple images, and apply the sort of adjustment you're suggesting, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

Such capability as has long been requested for presets and the develop module. Add your voice to the Adobe's official wishlist, linked at the the top of the forum.

 

[beccaquint]

Thanks Brad. I know about quick develop, but I'm still looking for an easier way. If any one else is reading this though, my current quick fix is to export the basic edits as jpgs, create a new catalog for the ones I want the additional preset on, and apply the second preset over it.

 

[RikkFlohr]

If you are a PS CS4 user (might work in CS3 too) you can export as a Smart Object in Photoshop. Save the PSD. Then apply your incremental adjustment. The beauty of this is that you can always go back to your LR adjusts of your PSD file and, if desired, go back to the original LR adjustments by opening the PSD and double clicking the Smart Object to open Adobe Camera RAW. Takes up more space but you can get back to the original.