Hey photophile! So, you know those gritty, cool, and Instagram-worthy urban photos you see everywhere? Yeah, the ones that make city life look like a scene from a movie. Well, if you’ve ever wondered how to get that vibe in your own photos, you’re in the right place. Let me introduce you to the world of LR presets—your new best friend for turning ordinary city shots into epic urban masterpieces.
You’ve spent a day wandering through bustling streets, capturing everything from towering skyscrapers to quirky little cafes. You get home, upload your photos, and… meh, they don’t pop like you thought they would. I mean, they’re good, but they’re missing that edge, that mood, that urban feel. Don’t worry! I’m here for you! With some clicks, you can totally transform your shots, giving them that moody, vibrant, or even gritty look that screams city life. It’s like putting on a pair of sunglasses that make everything look cooler—only, you know, for your photos!
15 Urban Lightroom Presets Ready To Download
Let’s be honest, who has time to edit each photo individually in today’s fast-paced world? My readymade presets save you tons of time while still giving you professional-quality results. They’re perfect for photographers at any level—whether you’re a pro looking to streamline your workflow or a hobbyist wanting to elevate your Instagram game. They’re specifically designed to enhance urban scenes, bringing out the best in cityscapes, street photography, and architectural shots. Let’s see the city through a whole new lens!
1. Dark Urban Preset
Think of this one as the mysterious night owl of the city—silent, deep, and full of untold stories. Dark Urban is all about creating dramatic contrasts, pulling you into the shadows while making the light even more precious.
Light: Start by pulling down the exposure (-20%) and dropping the shadows (-30%) to deepen those dark areas. Add a touch of contrast (+15%) to make the remaining light stand out.
Color: Desaturate the overall image (-10%) but keep the blues slightly vibrant (+10%) to add a cold edge. Warm up the highlights just a touch (+5%) to balance the scene.
Effects: Crank up the clarity (+20%) and texture (+25%) to make every detail sharp and intense. Add a subtle vignette (-10%) to draw the eyes inward.
Detail: Sharpen the image moderately (+15%) to enhance the contrast between light and dark.
Purpose: To create a moody, intense atmosphere that draws attention to the contrast between light and darkness.
Best For: Nighttime cityscapes, rainy days, or any urban shot that needs a touch of drama.
Style: Mysterious, dramatic, and intense.
2. Urban Black Preset
If urban black were a person, it’d be that friend who always looks effortlessly cool, dressed in all black, and has a calm, minimalist style. This preset strips away distractions, focusing on shadows, forms, and textures, making your photos sleek and stylish.
Light: Drop the exposure (-15%) and increase the blacks (-20%) to deepen the shadows. Lower the highlights (-10%) to avoid any glaring whites, and slightly raise the shadows (+5%) for balance.
Color: Convert to black and white, and then tweak the black & white mix—boost the reds (+10%) and reduce the blues (-15%) to fine-tune contrast and detail.
Effects: Increase clarity (+20%) and add a subtle vignette (-15%) to keep the focus tight. Add a hint of grain (+10%) for that classic monochrome texture.
Detail: Sharpen the image moderately (+20%) to keep lines and edges crisp.
Purpose: To create sleek, minimalist black-and-white images that focus on form and shadow.
Best For: Architectural photography, minimalist street scenes, or any shot where you want to focus on structure.
Style: Cool, minimalist, and stylish.
3. Moody Urban Preset
Now, meet Moody—the introspective artist of the bunch. This preset loves to play with emotions, using deep shadows and muted tones to create a sense of mystery and melancholy in your photos.
Light: Reduce the exposure (-10%) and pull down the shadows (-25%) to create depth. Drop the highlights (-15%) to soften any harsh light, and increase the blacks slightly (+10%) to maintain some detail in the darkest areas.
Color: Desaturate the overall image (-20%) and cool down the temperature slightly (-5%) to add a subtle blue tone. Boost the oranges (+10%) to keep skin tones warm and natural.
Effects: Add clarity (+15%) and a bit of texture (+10%) to enhance details, especially in shadowy areas. A light vignette (-10%) helps maintain focus on the subject.
Detail: Sharpen the image (+15%) to bring out fine details without losing the moody softness.
Purpose: To evoke deep emotions and create a mysterious, introspective mood in your urban photography.
Best For: Overcast days, early mornings, or any scene with rich shadows and soft light.
Style: Emotional, mysterious, and artistic.
4. Urban Black and Orange Preset
Imagine a cityscape bathed in the warm glow of streetlights against a deep, dark sky. This is that vibrant friend who always knows how to catch the perfect sunset, making those warm tones pop against the cool darkness.
Light: Lower the exposure (-15%) to deepen the dark tones and increase contrast (+20%) to make the oranges stand out against the dark backdrop.
Color: Desaturate most colors (-30%), except for the oranges and reds, which you’ll boost significantly (+40%). Cool down the shadows with a slight blue tint (-10%).
Effects: Increase clarity (+15%) and add a light vignette (-10%) to focus attention on the warm highlights.
Detail: Sharpen the image moderately (+15%) to make the contrasting colors crisp and defined.
Purpose: To create striking urban photos with a strong contrast between warm and cool tones.
Best For: Nighttime street photography, sunsets in the city, or any scene with warm artificial lighting.
Style: Bold, vibrant, and dynamic.
5. Urban Street Presets
Urban street is the heart of the city—the bustling energy, the movement, the life. This preset brings out the vibrancy and rawness of the streets, with a focus on the little details that make your urban life so captivating.
Light: Increase exposure slightly (+10%) to brighten the scene, and boost the shadows (+20%) to bring out details in the darker areas. Add contrast (+15%) for a lively, dynamic feel.
Color: Boost the saturation (+20%) and vibrance (+15%) to make colors pop, but keep them realistic. Adjust hues to make reds warmer (+10%) and blues cooler (+10%).
Effects: Add clarity (+15%) and texture (+10%) to emphasize the details of the street—pavement, signs, faces. A slight vignette (-5%) can help focus on the main action.
Detail: Sharpen the image moderately (+20%) to make every detail stand out, capturing the energy of the street.
Purpose: To capture the energy, movement, and vibrancy of street life in your urban photos.
Best For: Street photography, bustling markets, or any urban scene full of life and movement.
Style: Lively, detailed, and vibrant.
6. Urban Blue Preset
Blue is like the calm after a storm—the city under a cool, serene sky, with a chill vibe that makes everything feel peaceful and still. If you want to enhances blue tones, creating a tranquil, almost surreal atmosphere in your photos then I recommend it.
Light: Lower the highlights (-20%) and increase the shadows (+10%) to soften the light and create a balanced exposure.
Color: Cool down the temperature (-20%) to bring out the blues. Desaturate the other colors (-15%) to let the blues dominate, and slightly increase the saturation of blues (+25%) for emphasis.
Effects: Add clarity (+10%) and reduce the dehaze (-10%) to create a soft, airy feel. A light vignette (-10%) can help center the focus.
Detail: Sharpen slightly (+10%) to keep the details crisp without overpowering the soft atmosphere.
Purpose: To create serene, cool-toned urban photos that emphasize calm and tranquility.
Best For: Overcast days, blue hour photography, or any scene with a lot of sky or water reflections.
Style: Calm, cool, and serene.
7. Cinematic Urban Preset
Ever wanted your photos to look like they belong in a blockbuster movie? Cinematic effect is your go-to preset. It’s all about deep contrasts and moody tones that make your photos feel dramatic and intense, like a scene from a thriller.
Light: Lower the shadows (-30%) and increase the blacks (+20%) to create depth. Slightly lower the exposure (-10%) to enhance the moody feel.
Color: Desaturate the image slightly (-10%) but boost the oranges (+15%) to bring out skin tones. Add a cool tone to the highlights with the temperature slider (-10%).
Effects: Add clarity (+20%) to sharpen details and a touch of vignette (-10%) to focus attention on the subject.
Detail: Sharpen the image (+15%) and reduce noise (-10%) to keep it crisp and clean.
Purpose: To add a dramatic, movie-like quality to your urban photos.
Best For: Street photography, cityscapes, and any urban shot with strong light and shadow play.
Usage: When you want your photos to tell a powerful story with a cinematic touch.
Style: Bold, dramatic, and intense.
8. Urban Jungle Preset
Imagine a city where nature is slowly taking over—plants creeping up buildings, trees growing in the middle of streets. Jungle brings out the greens and earthy tones, giving your photos a fresh, natural feel in an urban setting.
Light: Increase exposure slightly (+10%) and raise the shadows (+20%) to brighten up the greens.
Color: Boost the greens (+25%) and yellows (+15%) while reducing the saturation of other colors (-15%) to let nature stand out.
Effects: Add a bit of texture (+10%) and clarity (+5%) to enhance the details of foliage.
Detail: Sharpen the image (+10%) to highlight the intricate details of plants and buildings.
Purpose: To highlight the blend of nature and urban environments in your photos.
Best For: Shots where nature meets the city—rooftop gardens, parks, or any urban greenery.
Usage: When you want to emphasize the coexistence of nature and city life.
Style: Fresh, natural, and vibrant.
9. Vintage Grit Urban Preset
If you love that old-school, retro vibe, vintage grit is your new best friend. It brings out the character of the city with faded colors and a touch of grain, making your photos look like they’ve been through decades of history.
Light: Lower the contrast (-15%) and highlights (-20%) to give that soft, faded look.
Color: Desaturate the colors (-20%) and add a warm tint with the temperature slider (+10%).
Effects: Add a strong grain effect (+30%) for that authentic vintage feel, and use a slight vignette (-15%) to center the focus.
Detail: Keep the sharpening low (+5%) to maintain the soft, aged look.
Purpose: To give your urban photos a nostalgic, timeless feel.
Best For: Old architecture, vintage cars, or any scene that feels like a step back in time.
Usage: When you want your photos to evoke a sense of history and nostalgia.
Style: Warm, gritty, and nostalgic.
10. Urban Pop Preset
Need your photos to stand out with vibrant colors and high energy? Then this LR preset enhances bright, punchy tones that make your city shots pop with life. It’s like the city is alive and buzzing with energy.
Light: Increase the exposure (+15%) and contrast (+20%) to make the colors pop.
Color: Boost the saturation (+30%) and vibrance (+20%) to make every color in your photo stand out. Adjust the hues to make the blues cooler (+10%) and the reds warmer (+10%).
Effects: Add clarity (+15%) to make everything crisp and texture (+10%) to enhance details.
Detail: Sharpen the image (+20%) and reduce noise (-5%) for a clean, vibrant look.
Purpose: To make your urban photos vibrant and full of energy.
Best For: Bright cityscapes, street art, and any scene with lots of color.
Usage: When you want your photos to grab attention with bold, vibrant colors.
Style: Bright, energetic, and lively.
11. Urban Decay Preset
There’s beauty in decay, and urban decay brings that out in your photos. This preset emphasizes the textures and tones of worn-out buildings, cracked streets, and the quiet charm of forgotten places.
Light: Decrease exposure (-20%) and increase shadows (+15%) to emphasize textures.
Color: Desaturate the image (-25%) and shift hues towards cooler tones (blues +10%, greens -10%) to create a cold, abandoned feel.
Effects: Add strong clarity (+25%) and texture (+30%) to bring out the rough details.
Detail: Sharpen heavily (+30%) and add grain (+20%) to enhance the gritty look.
Purpose: To highlight the textures and beauty of urban decay in your photos.
Best For: Abandoned buildings, graffiti, and any scene with a sense of urban wear and tear.
Usage: When you want to capture the beauty in decay and neglect.
Style: Gritty, textured, and melancholic.
12. Monochrome City Preset
Sometimes, all you need is black and white to tell a story. Monochrome strips away color to focus on light, shadow, and texture. It’s like an old photographer wandering the streets, capturing the timeless essence of the urban landscape.
Light: Increase the contrast (+25%) to make the blacks and whites pop. Lower the highlights (-15%) and boost shadows (+10%) to balance the image.
Color: Convert to black and white and play with the black & white mix sliders to emphasize different elements (e.g., increase reds +20% to make certain areas darker).
Effects: Add clarity (+20%) and texture (+10%) to enhance the details, with a touch of vignette (-10%) to focus on the subject.
Detail: Sharpen the image (+20%) and add a slight grain (+15%) for that classic film look.
Purpose: To create timeless, dramatic black-and-white urban photos.
Best For: High-contrast cityscapes, street photography, and architectural shots.
Usage: When you want to focus on composition, light, and texture without the distraction of color.
Style: Timeless, dramatic, and classic.
13. Industrial Grunge Preset
Imagine the rough and tough side of the city—the factories, the warehouses, the steel and concrete. Bring out the rugged, industrial vibe in your photos, making them feel gritty and raw.
Light: Lower the exposure (-15%) and increase shadows (+20%) to emphasize the harshness of the environment.
Color: Desaturate the colors (-20%) but enhance the blues and grays (+15%) to bring out the cold, metallic tones.
Effects: Add a strong texture (+30%) and clarity (+25%) to highlight the gritty details. A slight vignette (-10%) helps center the focus.
Detail: Sharpen heavily (+25%) and add grain (+20%) to enhance the raw, industrial feel.
Purpose: To emphasize the rugged, industrial aspects of urban photography.
Best For: Factories, warehouses, construction sites, or any setting with a lot of metal and concrete.
Usage: When you want to showcase the strength and toughness of industrial environments.
Style: Gritty, raw, and powerful.
14. Urban Minimalist Preset
In the chaos of the city, sometimes less is more. Minimalist focuses on simplicity, with clean lines and neutral tones. It’s like a modern architect who sees beauty in the simplicity of concrete and glass.
Light: Increase exposure slightly (+10%) to brighten the scene, and lower shadows (-15%) to add contrast.
Color: Desaturate the colors (-25%) and adjust the temperature slider towards cooler tones (-10%) for a clean, neutral look.
Effects: Add clarity (+15%) and reduce texture (-10%) to keep things smooth and simple.
Detail: Sharpen just a bit (+10%) to maintain crisp edges without overwhelming the minimalist vibe.
Purpose: To create clean, simple urban photos that focus on composition and form.
Best For: Modern architecture, urban landscapes with clean lines, and minimalistic street scenes.
Usage: When you want to highlight the beauty in simplicity and structure.
Style: Clean, simple, and modern.
15. Urban Nightlife Preset
The city never sleeps, and neither does Urban Nightlife. Wanna capture the energy and vibrancy of the city after dark, with bright lights and deep contrasts? It’s like the party-goer who thrives under neon lights and the buzz of the night.
Light: Increase contrast (+25%) and lower shadows (-20%) to make the lights pop against the darkness.
Color: Boost the saturation (+30%) and vibrance (+20%) to make the neon lights and signs stand out. Adjust the hue sliders to intensify blues and reds (+15% each).
Effects: Add clarity (+20%) and texture (+15%) to enhance the sharpness of the lights. A slight dehaze (+10%) can help reduce glare.
Detail: Sharpen heavily (+25%) to make the lights crisp and clear, and reduce noise (-10%) to keep the image clean.
Purpose: To capture the vibrant, energetic atmosphere of the city at night.
Best For: Nighttime cityscapes, street photography in neon-lit areas, and urban nightlife scenes.
Usage: When you want to showcase the excitement and energy of the city after dark.
Style: Vibrant, energetic, and dynamic.
Few Words
Alright, my urban explorers, we’ve reached the end of our little cityscape journey. These presets each bring something unique to your urban photography, helping you capture the city in all its moods—from the gritty and dramatic to the serene and peaceful. Think of them as tools in your creative toolkit, ready to help you express whatever vibe you’re feeling in your shots.
So, go ahead, take your photos for a spin through the city—digitally, of course! And don’t forget to play around, mix things up, and make these presets your own. After all, the city never sleeps, and neither should your creativity. Now, off you go to create some urban magic. And hey, if you’ve got any cool edits to share, I’m all ears (and eyes)! Catch you later, and happy editing!
