To extract presets from a photo, you generally need a JPEG file that contains embedded XMP and Exif data which stores the editing information. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and how to achieve it:
Understanding Embedded Presets
When you edit a photo in software like Adobe Lightroom, the editing adjustments are stored as metadata. This metadata can be embedded directly into the JPEG file, especially if exported with the appropriate settings. This is how you can essentially "copy" a preset from a photo.
Steps to Extract a Preset
Unfortunately, you can't directly "extract" a preset file (like an XMP or DNG preset file) from a photo in the traditional sense. However, if the photo contains the editing settings as embedded metadata (XMP data), you can recreate those settings in software like Lightroom. Here's how:
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Ensure the Photo Has Embedded Metadata: The source photo must have the editing information embedded. When exporting from Lightroom:
- Go to File > Export.
- In the Export dialog, under Metadata, make sure the "Include Metadata" checkbox is selected, and ideally, select "All Metadata".
- Export the photo as a JPEG.
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Import the Photo into Lightroom (or similar software): Open Adobe Lightroom (Classic or CC) or another compatible photo editing software that can read XMP data. Import the JPEG file into your Lightroom library.
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Read the Settings: In Lightroom, the software should automatically read the embedded XMP data. The imported photo will now display with all the editing settings applied from the original.
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Copy and Paste or Create a New Preset:
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Copy and Paste: Open the photo you want to apply the settings to. Go to the Develop module. Select the photo with the embedded settings. Then go to Settings > Copy Settings. Choose which settings you want to copy (usually "All" is a good starting point). Then, select the target photo and go to Settings > Paste Settings.
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Create a New Preset: With the source photo selected (the one with embedded settings), go to the Develop module. In the Presets panel (usually on the left), click the "+" icon to create a new preset. Give your preset a name, choose a group to save it in, and select which settings you want to include in the preset. Click "Create".
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Important Considerations
- File Format: This process primarily works with JPEG files. RAW files (like .CR2, .NEF, .ARW, etc.) typically store editing instructions differently (often in separate sidecar .XMP files).
- Software Compatibility: Ensure that your photo editing software supports reading embedded XMP data from JPEG files. Lightroom, Capture One, and other professional-grade software usually have this capability.
- Not a Direct Extraction: You aren't extracting a standalone preset file. You are reading embedded editing settings and then either copying them to another photo or creating a new preset based on those settings.
- Metadata Integrity: Make sure the photo hasn't been processed in a way that strips out the embedded metadata. Some online platforms or image editing tools might remove metadata during processing.
In summary, while you can't literally extract a preset file from a photo, you can effectively replicate the look of a photo by importing a JPEG with embedded metadata into Lightroom or a similar program and then creating a new preset or copying/pasting settings.
