Photography trends come and go, but black and white never loses its charm. Whether it’s a timeless portrait, a moody street capture, or a romantic wedding photo, removing color often adds emotion and depth to an image. The problem? Achieving the perfect monochrome look manually in Lightroom can take time.
That’s why so many photographers turn to free black and white Lightroom presets. With just one click, you can transform a flat photo into something powerful, consistent, and professional. And the best part? Many of these presets are completely free to download and easy to install.
In this guide, we’ll walk through why presets matter, how to install them, and of course, share our curated list of the top 10 free black and white Lightroom presets for 2025.
Why Use Free Black and White Lightroom Presets?
If you’ve ever tried editing black and white photos from scratch, you know it’s more than just desaturating colors. A good black and white edit balances contrast, shadows, highlights, and textures—giving the image life and storytelling power.
Here’s why using presets makes sense:
- Saves time – one-click edits mean faster workflows.
- Consistency – all your photos look like part of a cohesive set.
- Professional results – even beginners can achieve high-quality edits.
- Creativity boost – experiment with multiple styles quickly.
For photographers who shoot portraits, weddings, or even travel blogs, presets are a game changer. Instead of spending hours tweaking, you can focus on capturing moments.
How to Install Lightroom Presets (Quick Overview)
Before we dive into the list, let’s quickly go over installation.
On Desktop (Lightroom Classic or CC):
- Open Lightroom.
- Go to the “Develop” module.
- Click the “+” icon in the Presets panel → Import Presets.
- Choose your downloaded preset file (.XMP).
- Done! Your presets will appear in the Presets panel.
On Mobile (Lightroom Mobile):
- Download the preset DNG file.
- Import it into Lightroom Mobile.
- Open the image → tap the three dots → Create Preset.
- Save it, and it will appear under “User Presets.”
Top 10 Free Black and White Lightroom Presets (2025 Edition)
Here’s our curated list of presets you can use right away. Each one is designed for a specific style or type of photography.
1. Classic Film Look Preset
Inspired by old-school analog film, this preset adds grain and subtle fades for a cinematic touch. Perfect for urban street photos or moody landscapes.
2. Moody Portrait Preset
Soft highlights, balanced shadows, and skin-friendly contrast. This preset gives portraits a dramatic, emotional feel without losing detail.
3. Urban Street Preset
High contrast, deep blacks, and crisp details—this preset was made for street photographers who want to highlight textures and light play.
4. Wedding Romance Preset
Soft, timeless, and emotional. Ideal for couples’ portraits, engagement shoots, and wedding albums. It adds a dreamy touch while preserving elegance.
5. High-Contrast Drama Preset
Bold, dramatic edits with strong whites and deep blacks. Works best on landscapes, architecture, or storytelling shots where contrast matters most.
6. Minimalist Preset
Clean and subtle. Removes distractions by keeping edits light and balanced. Ideal for bloggers and lifestyle shots where less is more.
7. Vintage Matte Preset
Faded tones, soft grain, and matte blacks. Perfect if you want your images to feel nostalgic and timeless.
8. Fine Art Preset
Elegant and professional. This preset adds depth and sophistication, often used by fine-art photographers or gallery-style portfolios.
9. Cinematic Preset
Think film noir. High contrast, deep shadows, and dramatic lighting—ideal for moody portraits or creative projects.
10. All-in-One Black & White Bundle
A complete free Lightroom presets bundle that includes multiple variations: moody, clean, vintage, and dramatic. If you want flexibility, this pack is a must-have.
👉 Explore more: Free Lightroom Presets Bundle: Black and White, Vintage & More.
Before & After: How Presets Transform Photos
The power of presets is best shown visually. Imagine a flat photo with dull tones—apply a preset, and suddenly it has mood, depth, and storytelling power.
Whether you’re a beginner experimenting with styles or a pro speeding up your workflow, presets bridge the gap between vision and execution.
Free vs Paid Black and White Lightroom Presets
You might be wondering: should you stick to free presets or invest in paid ones?
- Free presets – great for beginners and casual photographers. They cover the basics, from classic film to moody edits.
- Paid presets – usually offer more variety, advanced customization, and dedicated support from the creator.
Our advice: start with free, experiment, and once you find your style, consider upgrading to premium packs.
Free Lightroom Presets Bundles (Beyond Black & White)
While black and white edits are timeless, you might want more variety. Many creators offer free Lightroom presets bundles that include:
- Vintage presets
- Nature & landscape edits
- Warm tones for lifestyle photos
- Cinematic presets
👉 See our guide: Free Lightroom Presets Bundle: Black and White, Vintage & More.
Tips for Using Black and White Presets Effectively
- Always adjust exposure after applying a preset—it’s rarely one-size-fits-all.
- Play with clarity and contrast for different moods.
- Add subtle grain for a film-style look.
- Save custom variations—you’ll end up with a personalized preset library.
Where to Safely Download Free Black and White Lightroom Presets
Not all download sites are safe. Stick with trusted platforms to avoid spam or low-quality files.
Recommended sources:
- PixBundle – curated free Lightroom presets bundle (black & white, vintage, and more).
- Photonify – Free Lightroom Presets.
- Lightroom Presets – Official Free Packs.
- PresetLove – free presets categorized by style.
Final Thoughts
Black and white photography is timeless, and with today’s resources, it’s easier than ever to master. With these free black and white Lightroom presets, you can create stunning edits in seconds—whether you’re capturing street scenes, wedding portraits, or creative fine art.
If you’re just starting out, try one preset at a time and see what fits your style. For those ready to experiment more, grab a free Lightroom presets bundle and build your own collection.
👉 Want more? Explore our full library of Free Lightroom Presets Bundle: Black and White, Vintage & More and start editing like a pro today.