Sunny Pastel - Dreamy

Sunny Pastel - Dreamy Preset — Fixes the Midday Light Problem Every Traveler Hits

The gist: A single DNG preset built specifically for the harsh, blown-out midday sun most travelers actually shoot in, turning flat bluebird-sky photos into a soft, dreamy, film-like look.

• Solves a real problem: Designed for bright sunlight and mid-day, blue-sky conditions — exactly the light most trip photos get taken in, and the light that's hardest to make look good straight out of camera.
• Works across subjects: Suited to both portraits and landscapes, so it doesn't force you to switch presets between a shot of your travel companion and a shot of the horizon.
• Simple format: Ships as a DNG file — no complicated install, just drop it into your editing app of choice.
• Genuine style, not a gimmick filter: Aims for a "timeless filmy vibe that feels like summer memories" rather than an obvious, over-processed look.

Creator Emilie Hofferber is a Utah-based film and digital photographer known for a focus on pastel skies and the wild landscapes of the American West — the same bright, big-sky conditions this preset is tuned for.

Best for: travelers shooting road trips, deserts, or big-sky landscapes in bright midday sun. Skip it if: you mostly shoot at golden hour or in overcast light — this preset is built specifically for harsh, bright conditions. Runs about $15 — check the current price before buying.