My preset looks too dark or too bright

This almost always comes down to the original photo's exposure, not the preset itself. Start with the Amount slider — that solves most cases in one drag — and only reach for the Light panel if you need more.

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Apply the preset, then use the Amount slider to dial the strength up or down (0–150%). Below 100% brightens a too-dark result; above 100% deepens a too-bright one.

2. 2

   If the photo still needs work, open the Light panel and adjust Exposure — up to brighten, down to darken.

3. 3

   Use Highlights to recover blown-out sky or bright skin, and Shadows to bring back detail in dark areas.

4. 4

   For stubborn overexposure, drop Whites; for stubborn underexposure, lift Blacks slightly.