1. Basic Panel Adjustments:
* Exposure: Adjust this according to the original image. You might need to brighten it slightly to enhance the "soft" feel. Start with +0.10 to +0.30 and adjust from there.
* Contrast: Reduce contrast significantly. This is key to softening the image. Try -20 to -40 as a starting point. Lowering contrast flattens the tonal range, creating a less harsh image.
* Highlights: Slightly lower the highlights. This can help to tame any overly bright areas, especially in skin. Try -10 to -20.
* Shadows: Increase shadows. This opens up the darker areas and contributes to the overall evenness of the tone. Try +10 to +30.
* Whites: Slightly reduce the whites to prevent blown-out highlights. Start with -5 to -10.
* Blacks: Slightly increase the blacks to add a bit of punch while still maintaining softness. Start with +5 to +10.
* Clarity: This is crucial. Significantly reduce clarity. This setting adjusts mid-tone contrast and sharpening. Reducing it creates a soft, diffused effect. Try -20 to -40. Too much reduction will make the image look too blurry.
2. Tone Curve Panel Adjustments:
* Point Curve: A subtle S-curve can add a little contrast back in, but do it gently.
* Pull the lower part of the curve *slightly* up. This lifts the shadows and adds a bit of a matte feel.
* Pull the upper part of the curve *slightly* down. This reduces highlights, ensuring they don't become harsh.
* Channel Curves (Red, Green, Blue): Subtle adjustments here can enhance skin tones. Slightly lift the shadows in the red channel (pull the lower part of the red curve upwards) to add warmth. Be very careful not to overdo it, as it can create color casts. Adjust the green and blue curves in a similar subtle way as needed.
3. HSL/Color Panel Adjustments:
* Hue:
* Orange: Slightly shift the orange hue towards red or yellow depending on skin tone preferences. A slight shift towards red can enhance warmth, while a slight shift towards yellow can cool the tone. Don't go overboard.
* Saturation:
* Orange: Reduce the saturation of the orange tones slightly to prevent skin from looking overly saturated. -5 to -10 is a good starting point.
* Yellow: Reduce yellow saturation slightly as well, especially if your image contains yellow tones that you want to tone down.
* Luminance:
* Orange: Increase the luminance of the orange tones slightly to brighten skin. +5 to +15. Be careful not to blow out highlights.
* Yellow: Adjust yellow luminance to balance skin tones and overall brightness.
4. Detail Panel Adjustments:
* Sharpening: Reduce the sharpening amount to zero or a very low value (e.g., Amount: 20, Radius: 0.5, Detail: 25, Masking: 40). We're aiming for softness, not sharpness.
* Noise Reduction:
* Luminance Noise Reduction: Increase this to smooth out skin and reduce graininess. Try 10-30.
* Color Noise Reduction: Increase slightly to remove color artifacts. 10-20 is usually sufficient.
5. Effects Panel Adjustments:
* Grain: Consider adding a small amount of grain for a film-like effect, but this is optional. Experiment to see if you like it.
* Vignetting: A subtle vignette can draw the eye towards the subject. Experiment with negative (darkening) or positive (lightening) vignetting. Amount: -5 to -15 is a good starting point for darkening.
Important Considerations:
* Skin Tone Accuracy: Pay very close attention to skin tones throughout the process. Use the HSL/Color panel to fine-tune them. The goal is to achieve a natural and pleasing look.
* Image-Specific Adjustments: These are just starting points. Every image is different, so you'll need to tweak the settings based on the specific photo. Factors like lighting, original exposure, and subject will all influence the ideal settings.
* Overdoing It: It's easy to go too far and make the image look unnatural. Subtle adjustments are key.
* Practice: The best way to learn is to experiment and practice.
Saving the Preset:
1. Once you're happy with the adjustments:
2. Click on the Presets panel on the left side of Lightroom.
3. Click the + button at the top of the panel (New Preset).
4. Give your preset a descriptive name (e.g., "Soft Portrait V1").
5. In the "Check All/Check None" section, choose the settings you want to save in the preset. Generally, it's best to *uncheck* Exposure, White Balance, and Lens Corrections, as these are often image-specific. You'll want to *check* the settings you've adjusted in the Basic, Tone Curve, HSL/Color, Detail, and Effects panels.
6. Click "Create".
Tips for Using the Preset:
* Apply as a Starting Point: Apply the preset to your portrait and then make further adjustments as needed.
* White Balance and Exposure: Always adjust the white balance and exposure first, *before* applying the preset. This will ensure a more accurate starting point.
* Fine-Tune: Don't expect the preset to be perfect for every image. You'll almost always need to make some adjustments.
By following these steps and experimenting, you can create a versatile and flattering "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4. Good luck!