Written by: Alexa Starr
Last updated: 2/25/25 

Did you know that almost 1.5 trillion photos are taken each year?

It's no secret that people love to take pictures, but many of them never see the light of day. Why is this?

It's partially because people don't know how to edit photos to look exactly how they want them to.

Are you one of these people?

Editing with Photoshop and Lightroom is much easier than you think!

If you want to improve your photo game and create a dark and moody ambiance for your feed, read on to learn how influencer presets can help you achieve this.

Lightroom Presets for Dark Tone Photo Editing

Dark and Moody Lightroom Preset Settings:

Basic Panel:
• Exposure: -0.3 to -0.7
• Contrast: +30 to +50
• Highlights: -60 to -80
• Shadows: +30 to +50
• Whites: -20 to -40
• Blacks: -20 to -30
• Clarity: +15 to +25
• Vibrance: -10 to -20
• Saturation: -15 to -25

Tone Curve:
• RGB Channel: S-curve
• Shadows: Lower left point down
• Highlights: Upper right point up

HSL/Color:
• Blues: -20 saturation
• Greens: -30 saturation
• Yellows: -15 saturation
• Luminance: Reduce for warm colors

Split Toning:
• Highlights: Cool tones (blue/teal)
• Shadows: Warm tones (brown/orange)
• Balance: -15

Effects:
• Vignette: Amount -20
• Midpoint: 40
• Roundness: +15
• Feather: 50

Grain:
• Amount: 15
• Size: 40
• Roughness: 50

Calibration:
• Shadow Tint: +10 (green)
• Blue Primary Hue: -10
• Blue Primary Saturation: -20

Light & Location

Lighting and location are crucial when capturing the perfect dark and moody photos.

The proper lighting can create dramatic shadows and highlights, adding depth and intensity to your imSofte soft, diffused lighting that creates a sense of mystery and is essential for a dark and moody look.

Natural light during the golden hour or in overcast conditions can provide the ideal atmosphere for this type of photography.

In addition to lighting, your chosen location plays a significant role in achieving the desired aesthetic.

Look for places with interesting textures, architectural details, or natural landscapes that complement the dark and moody style.

Abandoned buildings, forests, or urban alleyways can all provide a unique backdrop for creating atmospheric images.

Pay attention to color palettes as well – choosing locations with darker tones or muted colors can enhance the overall moodiness of your photos.

Experimenting with different lighting techniques and exploring various locations will allow you to develop your signature style within the dark and moody genre of photography.

Ultimately, it's about finding the perfect balance between light and location to evoke emotion and tell a compelling visual story.

Your Camera Makes a Difference

Another thing to remember when taking photos, especially if you're a social media influencer or working to become one, is that the camera you use does impact your photos.

Even a simple smartphone camera can take fantastic pictures, but you must know how to use it effectively. 

When you take a photo, even the lighting can drastically impact the final result. 

Suppose the photo is either an underexposed photo or an underexposed image from the improper aperture, not using the correct ex. In that case, sure or shutter speed results in a dark picture that is harder to rectify.

Try familiarizing yourself with your phone's camera settings and playing around with them to create the moody photos you want.

Plan Your Photoshoot

If taking photos is a big part of your job, you probably understand how important it is to plan your photoshoots.

Depending on the look you're going for, shooting at a different time of day or in other spaces will make a big difference.

Certain brands might want a specific look, and needing to shoot dark and moody photos is common.

Plan on shooting in a very dim or bright space to achieve this look.

If you're in a dimly lit space, you may need to edit the lighting because the vibe has already set the tone.

However heavy, editing can darken the whole without making one area too dark if you're in a bright or colorful space.

Download Lightroom or Photoshop Apps

While Photoshop and countless photo editing apps work well, LightroLightroom is the most popular.

Lightroom is a great tool and should be your go-to option if you use presets. Even though it is the basic panel, presets are easy to use.

The Lightroom app has a free version packed with powerful editing features that will pop your photos with customizable sliders for brightness and saturation like never before.

You can also download LightroLightroomr PC if you prefer to work on a computer.

Our presets come with step-by-step instructions for Photoshop and LightroLightroom Photos: How to Edit Dark Photos.

Editing dark photos can be challenging, but you can create moody and atmospheric images with the proper technique.

Start by adjusting the expose, revealing the details in the shadows without overexposing the highlights.

Next, play around with the contrast and tone curves to enhance the moodiness of the photo.

Experiment with desaturating colors or applying a s effect to add depth and drama.

Larememberforget to fine-tune the white balance and sharpen it to ensure your dark photo looks polished and professional.

Correct the Exposure / Brightness

When using Adobe Lightroom, changing the exposure and mid-tones is simple.

The exposure impacts how much light comes in through the lens when taking a photo.

Then, though, this can be edited fully after the photo is taken.

To create dark photos, you'll typically decrease the exposure.

This will darken the photo as a whole. However, it's also possible to select specific portions of the image to darken so that the rest remains light.

Knowing how to adjust exposure is essential because this straightforward adjustment changes everything about the photo.

Create Contrast: Dark Photo Editing Made Easy

You can create contrast when you're editing photos or when you're taking them!

It's best to do a mix of both. Try to have contrasting colors in your photo so that certain things pop.

This way, when you add contrast, things will be more dramatic.

Moody photos don't have to be all dark.

Having darkness and light makes it enjoyable to look at!

Editing Textures

Textures can be both a pro and a con when creating dark and moody photos, no matter when using them.

On the one hand, the textures create contrast, which can be suitable for a moody look.

Conversely, when you edit photos containing textures to appear darker, the texture creates shadows that can take over the entire picture.

When editing, try to be mindful of this and ensure that the texture (especially if it's a background) doesn't ruin the photo.

Use Vignette Sparingly

A vignette is when the outside edge of the photo is slightly darkened.

Everyone loves using vignettes because they are easy to use and adjust to and add a moody feel to photos.

Even so, it's possible to overdo it using this editing feature and make your photo look fake and tacky.

Try to use only a tiny amount to darken the outer edges to make them look natural, and don't take photos!

Avoid Obvious Filters

At one time, using filters was commonplace.

Everyone used them, and it didn't matter how obvious it was.

Now, you want your photos to look cohesive, especially if your social media platforms are how you make money.

But, you no doubt want to balance cohescohesionengagengagement every photo should look the same.

The best way to do this is by avoiding using commonly over-used prominent filters altogether.

They aren't designed to make every photo look its best, and it's an easy way to ruin an excellent image.

Pay Attention to Skin Tones

Skin tone is another consideration when editing photos, especially if you want a dark and moody look.

When you darken a photo, skin tones darken right along with it.

So, it's essential to ensure that any people in the photo still look natural and that no one is darkened so much that they don't look like themselves or are hard to see.

Use Presets to Shorten the Process

There are countless ways to edit your photographs, but the best method is to use presets.

Presets are pre-set lists of settings that make it look a certain way.

Presets, especially ours, are meticulously created to provide the right look and feel for any photo.

All that you have to do is adjust the exposure and white balance.

Exposure and Light Balance

We talked about exposure earlier and how adjusting this setting impacts the overall feel of the picture by increasing or decreasing the brightness.

Light balance impacts the color histogram within the photo.

Changing the light balance can make colors look richer or brighter, dark and moody, proper to color, duller, or more warm or cool. 

The key is to make the result look as natural as possible.

Why Use Presets for Mobile or Desktop?

Presets are the quickest and easiest way to achieve high-quality, professional-looking edits for your photos in JPG or raw format.

Influencer presets are used often so that their feed looks cohesive and balanced while still being unique.

Beyond this, presets are excellent because they help with skin tones

• They're easily accessible in LightroLightroome, perfect for beginners
• They're accessible forever
• It takes seconds to apply them

Once you get the hang of using presets, it opens up a presets world.

You don't need to get boxed in by just one preset.

InsteInsteadeof rent presets represented to accomplish the same thing: a stunning result.

Types of Presets

Different presets achieve different presets.

This article has focused on using presets to achieve a darkpresetsody look for your feed, but if you ever want to go for a different look, presets have got you covepresetsre too.

Check out some of our popular preset options:

• Aestheticpresetts
• Lightroom presetspresetsrtraits
• Wedpresetsghtroom presets
• The best presets presetstagram 
• Rupresetsesets
• Insta food presetpresetsn hour presepresetsones mentionepresetsare just a drop in the bucket.

There are presets designed to make presetsype of photo pop.

Whether you're posting gym photos, travel pictures, wedding sneak peeks, club photos, or a new product, there's something to help you.

Grow 10x With Influencer Presets.

The most straightforward way to edit is to use influencer presets to promote a consistent dark and moody look in your photos (or any other look you want).

You don't need to edit when someone else has spent hours crafting presets for you.

If you want to use presets to enhance your social media or blog, click here to check out our preset bundles. They can provide you with plenty of options and save you money!

Our Moody Presets

Moody Presets (*Best-Seller*)

Moody presets: Unlocking a worlpresetsunning visuals.

Discover the power of presets and break free from preset stations. You can achieve the perfect look every time with a wide array of options.

From dark and moody to vibrant and aesthetic, our preset collection has it. presethether it's portraits, weddings, food, or Instagram posts, we have the ideal preset to make your photo preset

Why spend hours editing when you can effortlessly transform your photos with influencer presets?

Take your social blog to new heights with just a click.

Ready to elevate your visual game?

Explore our Moody Lightroom presets.

Moody Adventure presets

Embark on a visual adventure with our Moody Adventure Presets.

Capture the essence of wanderlust and bring out the mood in your travel photos like never before.

With just a click, transport yourself to those breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring moments.

Our presets are designed to express nature's real beauty in outdoor scenes, adding depth, drama, and an air of mystery.

From misty mountains to sun-kissed beaches, our collection has it all.

Don't let ordinary edits limit your creativity.

Let our Moody Adventure Presets unlock a world of stunning visuals and take your travel photography to new heights.

Dark & Moody Presets

Step into a world of darkness and intrigue with our Dark & Moody Presets.

These presets transform your photos into captivating works of art filled with deep shadows and rich tones.

Whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, or still life, our Dark and moody Presets will add a touch of drama and mystery to your images.

With a few clicks, you can achieve that perfect moody look that will leave your viewers in awe.

Imagine the power of evoking emotions through your photography.

With our Dark & Moody Presets, you can create stunning visuals that tell a story.

Moody Blogger Presets

These presets are specially created crapresets that enhance your photos and give them a moody, atmospheric vibe, perfect for creating captivating content.

Whether you're a fashion blogger, a food enthusiast, or a lifestyle influencer, our Moody Blogger Presets will elevate your visuals and make your posts stand out from the crowd.

With just a click, you can bring out the depth and emotion in your photos, and your audience will be captivated by your unique style.

From dreamy sunsets to cozy coffee shops, our presets are designed to bpresetsbrief persuasive sales copy for Moody Blogger presets

Moody Romantic Prpresets

Prepare to experience a world of enchantment with our Moody Romantic Presets.

These presets are meticulously designed to infuse your photos with love, passion, and romance.

Whether you capture intimate moments between a couple, a breathtaking sunset, or a dreamy landscape, our Moody Romantic Presets will transport you to pure emotion.

With just one click, your images will come alive with soft tones, warm hues, and an irresistible allure.

Elevate your photography and create visuals that speak directly to the heart. Let our Moody Romantic Presets ignite the flames of 'moody love' with Moody Romantic Presets today.

Moody Wedding Presets

Capture the essence of love and celebration on your special day with our Moody Wedding Presets.

These presets have been meticulpresetsesigned to enhance your wedding photos, adding a touch of elegance, sophistication, and a hint of romance.

From the intimate moments shared between the couple to the venue's grandeur, our Moody Wedding Presets will transform your images into timeless works of art.

With just one click, your photos will come alive with rich tones, soft highlights, and a dreamy atmosphere that perfectly encapsulates the magic of your wedding day.

Create stunning visuals that tell the story of your love today.

Black & Moody Presets

Step into a world of shadows and intrigue with our Black & Moody Presets.

These carefully crafted crapresets bring ouimage's images dark and mysterious sides, adding depth, drama, and a touch of noir elegance.

Whether you're capturing moody landscapes, urban cityscapes at night, or intimate portraits shrouded in shadow, our Black & Moody Presets will transform your photos into captivating visual stories.

With just one click, your images will take on a new life with deep blacks, rich contrast, and an air of mystery that will leave viewers spellbound.

Moody Grey Presets

Introducing our Moody Grey Presets, designed to add a touch of sophistication and understated elegance to your photographs.

These presets present a minimalist, timeless, mood and,d captivating aesthetic.

With just one click, your images transform into stunning black-and-black-and-black-and-whiteionse with subtle contrasts and an overall sense.

Whether you're capturing portraits, landscapes, or still life, our Moody Grey Presets will bring out the beauty in every detail.

Moody Travel Presets

Welcome to the Moody Travel Presets world, where every photo becomes a passport to adventure and wanderlust.

With our carefully curated preset collection, you can bring moody and atmospheric elements to your travel photos, creating visuals that transport viewers to faraway destinations.

Imagine capturing the misty mountains of Norway, the sun-soaked beaches of Bali, or the bustling streets of Tokyo in all their moody glory.

With just one click, our Moody Travel Presets will enhance your images' colors, textures, and emotions, immersing viewers in the essence of each location and a brief persuasive sales copy for Moody Travel Lightroom presets.

Moody Urban Prespresetsrite: Experience the city with our Moody Urban Presets.

Our presets capture urban environments' raw energy and enigmatic atmosphere with just one click. They bring out the texture of the concrete jungle.

Whether the neon lights reflecting off rain-soaked streets, the gritty textures of abandoned buildings, or the vibrant chaos of a bustling cityscape, our Moody Urban Presets will transform your photos into captivating visual stories.

Add an air of mystery and intrigue to your street photography, architectural shots, and nightscapes, and watch as your images come alive with deep blacks, rich contrast, a brief persuasive sales copy for Moody Urban lightroom presets

Our Moody Bundle presentations

Dark & Moody Bundle

Influencer Starter Pack

Step into the world of influencer photography with our Influencer Starter Pack.

This preset collection, designed specifically for aspiring influencers, will give your Sopresetsdia feed a cohesive and professional look, instantly elevating your online presence.

These presets are the secret to enhancing the colors of your fashion and lifestyle shots and adding a touch of glamour to your travel photos. They can also improve the stunning Instagram feeds you've been admiring.

With just one click, you can achieve that perfect aesthetic that will make you stand out and attract more followers and brand collaborations. Join the ranks of successful influencers today.

Earthy Tones Bundle

Write a brief, persuasive sales copy for the Earthy Tones presets bundle. Embrace the beauty of nature and infuse your photos with warm, earthy tones that evoke a sense of tranquility and harmony.

With our Earthy Tones Presets Bundle, you can effortlessly transform your images into captivating works of art.

Whether you're capturing breathtaking landscapes or intimate portraits, these presets will enhance the richness and depth of your photos, highlighting the organic colors and textures that make each moment unique.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the soothing hues of autumnal forests, golden sunsets, and verdant fields. Let the

Master Collection Vol 1 Bundle

Write a brief persuasive sales copy for the Master Collection vVol1 presets bundle—Introducinpresetsaster Collection Vol 1 Presets Bundle - the ultimate package for photographers who demand nothing but the best.

This comprehensive preset collection provides everything you need to unleash creativity and transform ordinary photos into extraordinary masterpieces.

From vibrant landscapes to stunning portraits, this bundle is designed to enhance every genre of photography.

With just a few clicks, you can enhance the essence and emotion of your images, making them unforgettable.

The Master Collection Vol 1 includes a wide range of presets carefully craftedpresetsustry professionals. Each preset has been meticuloupresetsigned to complement

Flourish Pro+ (ALL-ACCESS)

Introducing Flourish Pro+ (ALL-ACCESS) - the ultimate solution for photographers who want unlimited access to our entire collection of presets and editing toolspresetsFlourish Pro+, you'll never have to worry about missing out on the perfect present for any occasion.

presetoody black and white to vibrant cityscapes, we've got you covered.

Unlock your full creative potential with this all-access pass.

Experiment with different styles, moods, and tones, knowing that you have endless options at your fingertips.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, Flourish Pro+ is your ultimate all-in-one solution for all of the presets you'll need to use for your Instagram socials.

Questions

What are the benefits of using moody presets?

Using moody represents enhances the preset aesthetic of your photos by adding a dramatic and atmospheric effect.

These presets can help create a consistent and cohesive look for your images, making them stand out on social media platforms and attracting more engagement from your audience.

What are moody and dark presets?

Moody and dark presets are pre-configurepresetsngs that can be applied to photographs to give them a specific mood or aesthetic.

TheprTheten enhances shape resets, reducing overall brightness and adding a naddingaturation touch to their look.

They are popular among photographers and social media influencers who want to achieve a unique and artistic style in their images.

Moody and dark presets can be used in vapresetsditing software or apps to quickly transform the tone of a photo with just a few clicks.

How do I make moody LightroLightrooms?

Creating moodypresetsoom presets involves a few presets.

First, start by adjusting the overall tone of your image using the "Tone Curve" panel.

You can create a darker and more dramatic look by manipulating the curve.

Next, enhance the colors by adjusting the saturation and vibrance sliders.

Decreasing the saturation can give your image a desaturated and muted look while increasing the vibrance can add specific colors.

Finally, fine-tune the mood of your preset by adjusting the wpresetalance, split toning, and adding vignettes if desired.

Remember to experiment and adjust each setting until you achieve the desired moody effect.

How do you make a picture dark and moody?

To create a dark and moody effect in a picture.

Firstly, adjusting the exposure and contrast levels can help darken the image of the shadows, and reducing the highlights can also contribute to the created sphere.

Additionally, applying a desaturation effect or using a black-and-white filter can further enhance the darkness and moodiness of the picture.

Lastly, adding vignetting or playing with shadows and lighting in post-processing can create a more dramatic and intense feel.

The Bottom Line

Editing dark photos or moody photos doesn't need to feel like rocket science.

You could make all the above adjustments and spend hours striking the right balance between several different settings.

A cohesive brand image online is crucial to increase engagement and grow your followers.

Follow our step-by-step tutorial for easy edits to achieve the photos you've always wanted!

Explore Our Best-Selling Moody Lightroom Presets

Ready to take your photo editing to the next level? Check out our best-selling moody Lightroom presets and discover the presets to elevate your images. With various presets designed for everyone, these top picks will enhance your photos quickly and precisely. Don't miss out—click the link to explore more!