Lightroom Presets

It's Preset Day Again (City Nights Effect)

Hey everyone. I’m back this week with another new preset. First I’ve got to thank everyone who has ordered the Layers book so far. If you want to see a funny photo, my friend RC took this photo of me signing books. I was literally buried. When I came up with the idea to sign a copy for anyone who ordered from Kelby Training’s website I had no idea I’d get this many. I was totally shocked but totally honored at the same time. So my writing hand is hurting a bit but it’s all good. I’m very grateful for all of your support. Ok, on to the preset… This week I’m taking a really different direction with a preset geared specifically for night-time city skylines and lights. I pretty much stumbled on this one as I was adjusting a few photos I took at night the other week. I found that a few key adjustments really helped bring out the lights and the color we see at night. You’ll see there’s 3 versions and they basically range from a light version to a darker version so it’ll dramatically change your photo depending on how light or dark it started out. I hope you enjoy ’em!

Click here to see a before/after sample of the preset.
Click here to download Matt’s City Nights Preset

Share:

23 comments

  1. Richard Whetton 26 February, 2008 at 23:13 Reply

    Hi Matt,

    thanks for the preset – they’re all great and much appreciated.

    I work for a book distributor and a lot of our Authors come in to do signings of 10-15K of books. We give them a big fat marker pen with a felt tip to do the signings, it’s easier after the fist couple of hundred!

    I notice the city scape in the example was Sydney – where I live now (originally a Brit). You guys should really come over and do some of your seminars over here – it is a great city, lot’s of fun, and I’ll definitely sign up for them!

    All the best, and thanks for your on going work here!

    Rich.

  2. mattk 26 February, 2008 at 22:51 Reply

    Glad you enjoyed the presets this week. I was a little worried about this one, as I thought I was the only one who liked this style but I’m happy to see I’m not.

    Thanks for all the comments about the book too. I really appreciate it! It feels so good to hear that it’s helping out.

    Take care,
    Matt K

  3. Pieter Dekrem 26 February, 2008 at 17:07 Reply

    Nice foto, watching you guys on Photoshop User Tv is one of my favorite times in the week.

    Belgium loves you guys!! :p

  4. Jason 26 February, 2008 at 15:19 Reply

    Great preset and what an awesome book. I got mine in the mail yesterday … only got through the first chapter last night (and I peeked ahead a little bit) … but I like what I see, man.
    Great Work!
    -Jas.

  5. Steffen M. Boelaars 26 February, 2008 at 14:50 Reply

    Hahaha that book signing picture almost killed me.
    Reading your website, and watching photoshop user tv, is just worth it for the humour part of it. But then there’s the content too! Wowwww best of both worlds.
    Thanks 🙂

  6. C.T. 26 February, 2008 at 13:50 Reply

    Love this preset. Once I import it into my Lightroom catalog does it automatically stay there. If I were to buy a new computer, install Lightroom on it, and load my catalog, will the preset still be there?

  7. Frank W 26 February, 2008 at 11:34 Reply

    Matt,
    I have to tell you that your book is awesome. I have been Photoshop User since 1998 and in that time I have not taken advantage of layers properly. I received my book from amazon (preordered, didn’t find out about the signed version till after 🙁 ) and I spent the day (at work opps, opened it and I couldn’t put it down) getting more than two thirds of the way through it doing every step and concept with your photos and then again with my own personal ones. The tips/shortcuts/walk throughs are just great. Congrats on an excellent effort!

    Frank

  8. Peter Marcaurelle 26 February, 2008 at 10:05 Reply

    Hi Matt,

    Another great preset.

    For those who haven’t tried your previous burnt preset, It works real well for creating great sunsets. Especially when applied to an image with a lot of sky and clouds. Apply the preset to a virtual copy and then export that image along with the original to PS. Then with Layers (for those who want more info on layers may I suggest “Layers Book by Matt Kloskowski” 🙂 ) and a mask, blend the two together to finalize the sunset effect. It works great. Thanks

    Quick question, I noticed that when you “update with current settings” a preset in the develop module or a template in the print module that the files sizes seem to double and I can not figure out why, any clues ?

  9. Doug Cross 26 February, 2008 at 10:04 Reply

    Matt,
    Nice preset. I have a request for one to put on your long list of others that people have requested. I shot some underwater photos for the first time this past weekend and found that they all have a blue overcast. So far I haven’t been able to get them to look right without going into photoshop after lightroom. If there is a way to color correct this in lightroom only, I would love it.
    Thanks.

  10. Vincent de Vries 26 February, 2008 at 07:09 Reply

    Hi Matt,

    Really cool preset, you do make my week, every week (damn, I thought women should do that)

    I just ordered the layers book!! unsigned unfortunately, shipping was a bit steep through kelby. (I am in spain)

    Thanks man and keep up the good work

  11. Dilip Barman 26 February, 2008 at 05:58 Reply

    Thanks! I was checking earlier but for some reason this preset didn’t show up till early Tu morning. This one has good timing – I have some nighttime bridge pictures from Savannah, GA that I will be playing with in the coming days – I can’t wait to try them with your preset! I hope that you had a great weekend!

  12. Robbin 26 February, 2008 at 02:29 Reply

    Hey Matt,

    I like to thank you for this fantastic preset. I like all of you’re presets very much, but I think this is gonna be one of my favorites!

    thx

    Robbin

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *