GrainLab is Live: Turn Any Photo Into a Lightroom Preset with AI

Every photographer knows the feeling.

You find an incredible photo on Instagram or Pinterest. The colors are perfect. The mood is exactly what you've been trying to achieve. You screenshot it, open Lightroom, and spend the next two hours tweaking sliders.

It never looks right.

We built GrainLab to solve this problem.

How GrainLab Works

GrainLab uses AI to estimate settings that move your photo toward a reference look. It cannot recover the original edits from a finished image. Here's the process:

1. Upload two photos

Upload a reference photo with the look you want and your own photo to transform. JPG, PNG, and HEIC are supported.

2. AI extracts the style

The generated preset includes editable settings for tone curves, HSL, color grading, grain, and other adjustments.

3. Download your preset

Get a ready-to-use .xmp file. Import it into Lightroom Classic, CC, or sync to mobile.

Processing time varies with the service and the photos.

Why We Built This

Preset packs can be hard to judge until you try them on your own photos.

The problem? Presets are created for the seller's photos, not yours. That "moody cinematic" preset that looked amazing in the preview? It turns your golden hour portraits into muddy orange messes.

GrainLab flips the model. Instead of hoping a preset works, you start with a photo that already has the look you want. You have a reference to compare against as you refine the settings.

What Makes GrainLab Different

You control the reference

Found a photographer whose editing style you love? Use a reference image you have the right to upload. GrainLab estimates a starting point for your own photo.

No more preset gambling

Stop buying packs hoping one will work. Create presets tailored to the exact look you're going for.

Unique presets

Every preset you create is yours. You're not using the same Vsco knock-off as everyone else on Instagram.

Commercial use included

Presets you generate are yours to use commercially. Build your own preset pack if you want.

Try It Free

Three decodes per rolling 24 hours are free. No account or credit card is required.

A one-time $3 payment adds 20 decodes on this browser, valid for 30 days.

Create Your First Preset

Tips for Best Results

A few things we've learned from early users:

Choose one clear reference. Use a photo with a consistent editing style, alongside your own photo.
Choose photos with obvious edits — Bold color grades extract better than subtle adjustments. Think "styled Instagram feed" not "straight out of camera."
High-quality references work best — The clearer the edit, the more accurate the extraction.
Expect a starting point — Results vary with the reference and source photo. You'll still want to tweak exposure and temperature for your specific lighting conditions.

Happy editing!

— The GrainLab Team

Ready to try it?

Create Your Free Preset — No account needed.