Transform Ordinary Shots into B & W Masterpieces with Kodak TRI-X 400 Presets!
My pro Tip: TRI-X 400 was built for low light and fast movement. If you’re shooting concerts or events, start with the Base preset and drop the exposure slider half a stop, the contrast reads better in dark scenes and the blacks stay clean” – Richard
The Black & White Film Look That Street Photographers Actually Use
TRI-X 400 is the film that Henri Cartier-Bresson shot with. The one photojournalists trusted for decades in the field. High contrast, strong grain, deep blacks, it’s a specific look that’s hard to fake in Lightroom without the right starting point. These presets are built around that character, so you get there in one click instead of thirty minutes.
What’s Included
» 10 Kodak TRI-X 400 Presets
» 16 Clean Edit Presets
» 1x Instruction Guide (PDF)
» File formats: XMP, DNG
» 10 DNG Files
» Free Upgrades
Clean Edit Presets
Use the Clean Edit Presets to make basic adjustments and set the foundation for your image. They also speed-up your workflow and offer you endless style combinations.
You receive this presets as digital download
immediately after purchase.
Desktop
» Adobe® Lightroom® 7.5 or later
» Adobe® Camera Raw 10.5 or later
Mobile
» Adobe® Lightroom Mobile
» Android & iPhone
Get 10 Kodak TRI-X 400 Film Simulation Presets
Kodak TRI-X 400 Base
Standard TRI-X rendering. Visible grain, high contrast, strong blacks. The starting point for everything else in this pack.
Kodak TRI-X 400 HC
High contrast. Pushes the blacks deeper and lifts the whites. Good for graphic work, architecture, and street shots where you want maximum tonal separation.
Kodak TRI-X 400 LCLow contrast. Opens the shadow range and softens the overall look. Better for portraits or flat light where the Base contrast reads too harsh.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Faded
Lifted blacks and reduced contrast. Less gritty than Base. Works well on images where you want the TRI-X grain character without the full contrast punch.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Red Filter
Simulates shooting through a red filter. Blue skies go dark, warm tones and skin lighten. The strongest of the three filter variants for outdoor scenes.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Blue Filter
Simulates a blue filter. Lightens blue tones, darkens warm ones. Most noticeable on scenes with strong blue elements, sky, water, certain fabrics.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Green Filter
Simulates a green filter. Lightens foliage and some skin tones, darkens reds. Subtle on most scenes, more visible on nature and outdoor shots.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Sepia
Adds a warm brown tone over the TRI-X base. Keeps the grain and contrast character of the film while adding a classic tinted finish.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Cream
Soft off-white toning over the base. Lighter and more muted than Sepia. Works well on portraits and softer subject matter.
Kodak TRI-X 400 Selenium
Adds the cool blue-black shift of selenium toning, a darkroom technique traditionally used to deepen shadows and add archival permanence to prints.
Browse our black and white Lightroom presets for that timeless monochrome character, find every stock in the Kodak Lightroom Presets range.
Image: Kodak
FAQ
Kodak TRI-X 400 has been in production since 1954. Henri Cartier-Bresson shot with it. So did Diane Arbus and W. Eugene Smith. When you look at the defining images of 20th century photojournalism, a large portion were shot on TRI-X.
The grain is pronounced but sits in the image naturally. Contrast is high by default, strong blacks, clean whites. It also pushes well to ISO 800 or 1600 without falling apart. For street, documentary, or concert photography, it’s the B&W reference point most photographers come back to.
Key facts about the original Kodak TRI-X 400 film:
- ISO Rating: 400
- Film Type: Black and white negative film
- Format: Available in 35mm and 120
- Grain: Medium to high, visible and characterful
- Contrast: High, deep blacks, bright whites
- Development: Standard black and white chemistry (D-76, HC-110, Rodinal)
- Still in production — available worldwide
TRI-X was designed for photographers who needed speed and contrast in unpredictable conditions. These presets work best on:
- Street photography: the grain and contrast add the grit that makes street shots feel alive
- Photojournalism and documentary: high contrast reads well in editorial contexts and carries the weight the subject deserves
- Concert and live music: low light, fast movement, dramatic contrast — TRI-X handles all of it
- Dramatic portraits: strong shadows, sharp whites, and visible grain give portraits an edge that color can’t replicate
- Architecture: the contrast between light and shadow reads particularly well in black and white
Both are Kodak black and white stocks at ISO 400, but they produce very different results. T-MAX 400 is a finer-grained, sharper film, more clinical and precise. It’s the technical choice when you want clean, detailed B&W without much character. TRI-X goes the other way.
The grain is coarser, the contrast is stronger, and the overall look feels unmistakably analog. If your subject calls for grit, drama, or a documentary feel, TRI-X is the one. If you want smooth and controlled, T-MAX is your film. You can compare both in the Kodak B&W preset range.
Tips & Tricks for Kodak TRI-X 400 Presets
- Choose the Right Photo: Pick images with good contrast for the best results.
- Adjust Exposure: If the image looks too dark or light, tweak the exposure slider.
- Use the Preset First: Apply the preset before making other adjustments to see its full effect.
- Fine-Tune Contrast: Increase or decrease the contrast to match your style.
- Crop for Better Composition: Frame your photo by cropping out distractions.
- Sharpen Your Image: Use the sharpening tool to make details pop.
- Play with Grain: Add a little grain for that classic film feel if desired.
- Save Your Favorite Settings: Once you find a look you love, save it as a new preset for future use!
The Kodak TRI-X 400 presets work on both desktop and mobile versions of Lightroom. Shoot with any camera, DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone, import into Lightroom, and apply.
These presets are built for B&W conversion, so they work regardless of whether your original shot is color or already desaturated. Apply first, then adjust exposure and contrast to taste.
For best results, start with a well-exposed file. TRI-X has strong contrast built in, if your photo is already overexposed, dial back the highlights before applying. The grain is intentional and part of the look.
With our Clean Edit Presets you can set the perfect foundation of your image by adjusting for example white balance, exposure, whites, tones, etc. Each clean edit preset changes only one value, without overwriting other adjustments and values.
You can use the Presets in XMP format also in Adobe Photoshop
Installing Presets in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 10.3+ (Windows & Mac)
- Open your image in Adobe Photoshop.
- At the top menu click on Filter and select “Camera Raw Filter”.
- On the right you see the word “Basic” click the small burger next to it. Then, click “Load Settings”.
- Choose the .xmp file(s) from downloaded and unzipped folder. Then click on “Load” button.
- To apply a preset, click on OK button.
As soon as your payment went through, you receive the download link direct by email.
Just follow the easy instructions at How to install Lightroom Presets and start using them on your desktop or mobile device.
License Terms
The Presets are licensed for individual use only. Resale or redistribution is strictly prohibited. This non-transferable license is limited to the original purchaser and does not extend to companies or partnerships.
No Refunds
All sales of these digital products are final with no refunds, returns, or exchanges permitted due to their downloadable nature.
By purchasing, you agree to these terms.















Diego T. –
Nails the classic Tri-X look. Finally, a preset that does the film justice.
Ethan S. –
This is the Tri-X I shot with in the 1980s The deep blacks and bright whites are spot on.
Evelyn N. –
Perfect for low-light gigs. The grain adds so much texture and energy. Recommended!
Benjamin E. –
First time using black white preset. Gives my photos a raw, authentic rock and roll feel. Happy with the purchase!
Lucía J. –
This is my go-to for street photography. It gives my shots that gritty, high-contrast journalistic feel straight out of the camera. Absolutely love it.