Adobe Lightroom Preset: Giallo City

Story

In 2017, I set out to create a distinct colour palette for my own photographs. I prefer approaching my pictures as if they were paintings or film stills, and I’m drawn to work that has a unique and consistent use of colour. While creating this preset, I was heavily inspired by 1970s giallo films, particularly Dario Argento’s Suspiria (1977). Many years later, I saw Ari Aster’s Midsommar (2019), and noticed my personal preset beginning to evolve in that direction as well, especially since nearly all of my pictures are taken during the daytime.

Versions

As of June 2025, I’m using the latest iteration of this preset. The December 2024 version is closer to the colours of Suspiria (think Kodachrome with a warmer tint and a touch of softness). It was used throughout my earlier work, much of which can be seen on my website or Instagram (scroll down a bit). On this page, you can see a selection of my work edited with the preset. To observe the difference with my current version, visit the page for my latest project, This Peculiar Day (2023 - Ongoing).

Why

I’m making this preset available for purchase mainly to support my personal work. But more importantly, I want to share what I’ve learned in the hope that it helps other photographers develop their own colour voice. I’m not concerned about anyone outright “copying” my work, as the preset requires some experimentation to produce distinctive results; it’s not a one-click solution. And, yes, I realise it doesn’t come cheap, but I want it to be in the hands of people who genuinely value it

Note

Please purchase this preset only if you’re comfortable using Adobe Lightroom. It’s not compatible with Photoshop or Capture One. While I can’t offer technical support, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have via email to help you get the most out of it.