Why I'm Not Using AI to Edit Photos (And You Shouldn't Either)

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When we made our presets, we made them with the intent of having photographers be able to work without the need for AI replacing what they do. Indeed, these presets are all about authenticity and replicating a look that AI can’t necessarily do.

While everyone’s rushing toward AI-generated everything, we went the opposite direction. Our presets are designed to enhance your authentic creative vision—not replace it. Because at the end of the day, AI can’t capture the soul of a moment. Only you can.

Tested on Every Camera You Actually Use

After 16 years of camera reviews and thousands of portrait sessions, The Phoblographer has built the most comprehensive preset testing database in the industry. We’ve validated every preset across Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Panasonic Lumix, Olympus, OM System, and Fujifilm RAW files. Better yet, we even continue to do this in our reviews.

No matter what’s in your camera bag, these presets will work flawlessly with both Capture One and Lightroom

The Retro Digital Presets

Remember when digital photography had character? When grain meant something and colors had soul? It wasn’t just about, “Dem Tonez.”

Our founder cut his teeth on the legendary Canon 5D Mark II—the camera that defined an era of photography. Instead of hunting eBay for a $1,000 vintage body, we reverse-engineered those iconic looks into modern presets.

Get the legendary 5D Mark II aesthetic for under $40.

Here are some samples. The Retro Digital Presets are available for purchase from our shop.

C5DMkII

Person in a red basketball jersey holds a ball on an outdoor court lined with palm trees.

Man in a blue shirt sitting at a table with folded arms, smiling, with a cup of coffee in front.

Woman with medium-length dark hair looks at the camera, wearing a black top.

Woman in a black lace top stands indoors, eyes closed, with one hand on her shoulder.

ND700

Woman in a vibrant, patterned shirt stands against a brick wall, looking upward thoughtfully.

Man in a blazer sits on a blue wall in an urban street setting.

Person in black dress crouching on a city street, wearing colorful shoes and gold earrings.

Woman in floral dress and black leggings sits on stairs, leaning against the railing in a dimly lit setting.

A winding mountain road with a yellow line on the right, flanked by rocky hills under a clear sky.

A person in a red striped shirt walks through lush greenery by a lake, holding an open book.

SA900

Man in a car at night lights a cigar, wearing glasses and a light-colored shirt.

Chef stretching pizza dough in a kitchen wearing a yellow apron and cap, with shelves and clock in the background.

Person in a denim jacket sitting on a wooden chair, holding their hair, with a confident expression.

Woman in a white strapless dress with long hair poses against a dark background.

LM9

Man with long gray beard, sunglasses, hat, and plaid vest poses confidently against a dark yellow background.

Person in a houndstooth coat and striped shirt smiles against a dark background.

Man with long beard and sunglasses holds a cigar, wearing a leather jacket and cap, seated against a dark background.

City skyline at dusk with illuminated skyscrapers and vibrant orange sky.

Close-up of an aircraft jet engine and landing gear on a sandy desert surface under a clear sky.

The Photojournalism Collection: 20 Presets That Tell Stories

Real moments deserve real editing. Our 20-preset photojournalism pack was built in the field, tested on deadline, and refined through countless editorial assignments.

What Makes These Different:

Smart Adaptive Technology: Automatically detects faces and skies for precise masking
Mobile-Ready: Works seamlessly in Lightroom Mobile for on-the-go editing
Zero Overlap: Each preset serves a distinct purpose—no redundant looks
Intensity Control: Fine-tune every effect with the Amount slider

10 Color Presets That Capture Life:

HKG – Street photography gold
Warm Bazaar – Rich, inviting tones
LA Sunset – California dreaming
Dark Moody Blues – Cinematic drama
[Continue with evocative descriptions]

10 B&W Presets With Soul:

Your Parents’ Albums – Classic family photo warmth
Gritty Max – Street photography edge
Silver Sparks – Premium portrait finish

Photojournalism Color Presets

Use the sliders below to see the effects of each preset on the portrait.

Black And White

These are available for purchase right now. You can buy the color or monochrome sets separately or buy both of them together at a discount. Visit our online store to buy them.