1. Import and Select a Portrait:
* Open Lightroom 4 and import the portrait photo you want to use as a reference.
* Select the photo and navigate to the Develop module.
2. Basic Adjustments (Foundation for Softness):
* Exposure: Adjust this to achieve a balanced overall brightness. Slightly overexposing can contribute to a softer look, but be careful not to clip the highlights. Experiment between +0.10 and +0.30.
* Contrast: Reduce this to flatten the tonal range and contribute to the softness. Start with -15 to -30 and adjust to your liking.
* Highlights: Lower the highlights to recover detail in bright areas, especially on the face. Try -20 to -40. This helps to avoid harsh highlights that detract from a soft look.
* Shadows: Raise the shadows to brighten the darker areas and reduce contrast. Experiment between +10 and +30.
* Whites: Adjust this to fine-tune the overall brightness and make sure the whites are bright but not blown out. Usually a small adjustment +5 to +15.
* Blacks: Adjust this to control the depth of the blacks and maintain detail in the shadows. A slight adjustment -5 to -15 can help reduce muddiness.
3. Clarity and Sharpness (Key to Softness):
* Clarity: This is crucial. Reduce Clarity significantly. Clarity enhances mid-tone contrast, which works *against* a soft look. Start with -20 to -50. The exact value depends on your photo, but this is the primary slider to soften details.
* Sharpness: Reduce this slightly, especially if your image is already quite sharp. This softens the edges and texture. -10 to -20 is a good starting point. You can also go to the Detail panel and adjust the Sharpness amount further here.
4. Tone Curve (Subtle Tone Shaping):
* Experiment with a subtle S-curve (Parametric Curve): Click on the Tone Curve panel. Instead of the Point Curve (the one with the diagonal line), make sure you are using the Parametric Curve.
* * Raise the *Lights* slightly (e.g., +5 to +10).
* * Lower the *Darks* slightly (e.g., -5 to -10).
* This subtle curve can enhance the overall contrast and bring out the brightness. This adjustment is very subtle.
5. HSL/Color (Skin Tone and Color Vibrancy):
* Saturation: Increase saturation overall, but pay attention to skin tones.
* Orange: Reduce the saturation of the orange channel slightly (-5 to -15) to prevent skin tones from becoming too orange or artificial-looking.
* Red: Adjust red saturation to taste. It can affect lip color and the overall warmth of the image.
* Luminance: Adjust luminance to brighten or darken specific colors.
* Orange: Increase the luminance of the orange channel to brighten skin tones (+5 to +15).
* Yellow: A slight boost to Yellow luminance can brighten highlights.
6. Split Toning (Adding a Hint of Warmth or Coolness):
* This is optional but can add a subtle, stylistic touch.
* Highlights: Add a very subtle warm tone to the highlights (e.g., Hue: 35, Saturation: 5-10).
* Shadows: Add a very subtle cool tone to the shadows (e.g., Hue: 230, Saturation: 5-10). This adds depth and dimension.
7. Lens Corrections:
* Enable Profile Corrections: In the Lens Corrections panel, check the box "Enable Profile Corrections." This will correct for lens distortion and vignetting.
8. Effects (Vignetting and Grain):
* Vignetting (Optional): A subtle negative vignette can draw the viewer's eye to the subject. Use the Post-Crop Vignetting section (Style: Highlight Priority, Amount: -5 to -15). Be *very* subtle; too much will look unnatural.
* Grain (Optional): A touch of grain can add a film-like texture. Use the Grain section in the Effects panel (Amount: 5-10, Size: Small, Roughness: 20-30).
9. Saving the Preset:
* Once you're happy with the look, create a preset:
* Click the "+" icon next to the Presets panel on the left.
* Choose "Create Preset..."
* Name your preset (e.g., "Soft Portrait").
* In the "Check All / Check None" section, ensure that all the settings you adjusted are checked.
* Click "Create."
Important Considerations:
* Image-Specific Adjustments: Remember that presets are starting points. You'll still need to fine-tune the settings for each individual photo. Exposure and white balance are the most common adjustments.
* Skin Tone Accuracy: Pay close attention to skin tones. Use the HSL/Color panel to refine them as needed. Always aim for a natural, healthy look.
* Subtlety: The key to a good soft portrait preset is subtlety. Avoid overdoing any one adjustment.
* Iterate and Refine: Don't be afraid to experiment and refine your preset over time as you develop your style.
* White Balance: White balance plays a HUGE role. Make sure your white balance is accurate *before* applying the preset.
* RAW vs. JPEG: Working with RAW files gives you much more flexibility in post-processing. If possible, shoot in RAW.
Summary of Key Elements for Softness:
* Reduced Clarity: The most important factor.
* Lowered Contrast: Flattens the tonal range.
* Raised Shadows: Brightens the darker areas.
* Slightly Overexposed (Carefully): Contributes to a gentle, ethereal look.
* Subtle HSL Adjustments: Refine skin tones.
By following these steps and experimenting with the settings, you can create a "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that will give your portrait photos a beautiful, flattering look. Good luck!