Portra 800 – Free Lightroom Preset | Kodak Portra 800 Film Look

Elevate your portraits with professional analog warmth using the Portra 800 – Free Lightroom Preset. Inspired by the legendary Kodak Portra 800 film, this preset delivers exceptional skin-tone accuracy, balanced contrast, and a sophisticated aesthetic straight out of Lightroom.

Introduction

The Portra 800 – Free Lightroom Preset replicates the legendary versatility and warmth of one of the most beloved high-speed color negative films ever made. Known for its natural skin tones, beautiful color saturation, and impressive performance in challenging light, Portra 800 is a favorite among professional wedding and portrait photographers. This preset brings that polished, high-end look to your digital workflow, smoothing imperfections while retaining natural texture to create a timeless, film-like finish in just one click.

Kodak Portra 800 History
Film Characteristics
Lightroom Preset Details
Where to Download
Conclusion
FAQs

History of Kodak Portra 800

Kodak Portra 800 earned its legendary status as the high-speed member of the Portra family. Designed to offer natural skin tones and remarkable color palette even in low-light situations, it became the gold standard for photographers who needed speed without sacrificing fine grain and clarity. Whether used for editorial fashion, wedding photography, or candid lifestyle shots, Portra 800 is prized for its incredible exposure latitude and its ability to render light with a warmth and depth that digital sensors often struggle to capture naturally.

Film Characteristics

Here’s what made Portra 800 the premier choice for professional portrait photographers:

Skin Tones: Renowned for exceptional accuracy and a healthy, glowing appearance.
Color Palette: Vibrant but sophisticated colors with a signature Kodak warmth.
Low Light Performance: Designed to maintain detail and color in underexposed areas.
Grain Structure: A classic, organic grain that adds professional film texture.
Dynamic Range: Soft highlight roll-off with deep, usable shadow detail.

Portra 800 – Lightroom Preset

The Portra 800 Preset replicates the warm, professional look of Kodak’s high-speed film using a combination of color balancing and tonal adjustments. Designed for portraits and lifestyle imagery, it introduces subtle warmth to the highlights and a gentle cool shift in the shadows, creating a perfectly balanced contrast. In our video demo, we use a lab scan of actual Portra 800 film as a reference to ensure this preset provides an enhanced, dynamic look that avoids the “flat” appearance of standard digital files.

True Portra Color: Accurate skin tones that look professional and radiant.
Smooth Texture: Softens imperfections while retaining organic detail.
Balanced Contrast: Classic color separation with warm highlights and cool shadows.
Enhanced Film Look: Adds a sophisticated film grade to flat RAW files.

Conclusion

The Portra 800 – Free Lightroom Preset captures everything that made Kodak Portra 800 a professional legend: beautiful skin tones, high-speed versatility, and a timeless analog finish. Whether you’re shooting weddings, portraits, or lifestyle scenes, this preset brings a refined, professional aesthetic that instantly elevates your images to a film-grade standard.