One of our most beloved classic preset collections is LXC, which stands for Loren X Chris. Chris Dunn is the developer of the entire LXC family of presets, including the new Quest 48 LXCV set! We thought it would be a good idea to show the differences and similarities among our current LXC-family offerings: LXCR, LXCQ, and LXCV (the original LXC and its spin-off, LXCN, have been retired).

What is the LXC Look?

The LXC family of presets features creamy and velvety highlights and shadows, with subtle matte tones and overall flattering shades for any skin tone. The original LXC was designed in 2015 with a timeless, artistic, and consistent aesthetic in mind, featuring a classic feel and a clean, editorial edge.

The LXC family of presets has remained a favorite for photographers seeking subtle shifts in tone, soft contrast, and a balanced, natural finish. The LXC preset family features subtly muted greens, amber-infused browns, and rich skin tones, all with muted dynamics and bold, classic black and whites.

LXCR Presets

LXCR - Reverence was developed in 2020 and is a modern take on the LXC family, featuring additional tools, more color presets, and creative profiles. It is a truly versatile preset collection designed to be flexible and consistent for any photographer’s needs.

Image by Mike Meller Photography, edited with each base preset in the LXCR collection

If you go to the search bar in our Facebook Group, Archipelago Collective, and search “LXCR”, you’ll see a massive amount of photographers posting with this preset. It is such a beautiful collection and works with so many colors, lighting scenarios, and genres of photography!

LXCR has 6 color presets that range in tone from neutral, slightly magenta, cool toned, and warm toned. It also includes 2 black and white presets, 6 creative profiles, Tone Shift presets that adjust the creative profiles, and tools.

LXCR PRESETS

LXCQ Presets

LXCQ - Quest was developed in 2022 and is the twelfth installment in the Quest Preset series (Quest 12 LXCQ). LXCQ was developed to be an extension set for LXCR— perfect on its own and designed to complement LXCR edits, with presets and a Light & Air creative profile you can use to mix and match the two collections.

Image by Mike Meller Photography, edited with each base preset in the LXCQ collection

Quest 12 LXCQ includes three distinct presets and a unique creative profile that gives you an instantaneous light and airy effect for those whimsical romantic moments. This allows you to explore moody intimacy and push into delicate pastels with ease. The color presets span tones of woodsy greens, soft highlights, lifted shadows, with a cooler overtone variation, and a golden overtone variation.

QUEST 12 LXCQ IN THE QUEST ARCHIVE

Quest 12 LXCQ in the Public Shop

LXCV Presets

LXCV - Velvet is our newest member of the LXC family (the V also stands for 5, it’s the fifth in the line of LXC family presets) and the 48th installment of Quest— Quest 48 LXCV. This collection is a modern evolution of the beloved LXC aesthetic — a refined take on classic tonality, reimagined for today’s creative workflow. This set brings a more natural, true-to-life rendering of tones while maintaining the rich palette and depth that defined the original LXC.

Image by Mike Meller Photography, edited with each base preset in the LXCV collection

Quest 48 LXCV includes 3 color presets and 4 toolkit modifiers designed to enhance and adapt your edits with ease. Creamy highlights and velvet shadows bring a softness and polish that make this collection ideal for both editorial and lifestyle work.

Whether you’re looking to infuse subtle creaminess into your highlights or gently lift shadow density, LXCV gives you the tools to create cohesive, luminous imagery with signature Archipelago character.

LXCV PRESETS