These adjustments are designed to bring typical bird images close to where they need to be so I can make final adjustments to them in CS6 and the Nik Collection. My ‘V3 standard bird preset’ includes: Highlights -20, Shadows +10, auto Micro-Contrast, PRIME noise reduction, Lens Sharpness Global 1.20, and Lens Sharpness Detail 70. For example, I set up a ‘V3 standard bird preset’, which I used for all of the images in this article. Using the various sliders execute the adjustments to the photograph that you want to make ‘standard’ with that particular preset you are creating.

I always allow the program to make its typical ‘auto adjustments’ based on the camera body and lens used to capture the image as this automatically takes care of things like lens distortions. The next step is to open up a RAW file in DxO PhotoLab (or OpticsPro). Working with additional programs will likely affect how you set up your preset. The first step in setting up a preset is to determine if you plan to finish your image in PhotoLab/OpticsPro, or if you will be exporting it into another program like Lightroom or Photoshop for additional corrections. All of the Great Blue Heron images are from a single AFC run captured at 10 fps, shooting in Manual mode with Auto ISO 160-3200, using Continuous Auto Focus with Subject Tracking, and Vibration Reduction turned off. The photographs used in this article were captured yesterday afternoon during a very short visit to Hendrie Valley. This short article provides simple instructions on how to create a preset in DxO PhotoLab or OpticsPro. Many photographers look for ways to save time in post, while also creating images with a consistent ‘look’ that they prefer.

Dx0 photolab