1. Start with a Properly Exposed Base Image:
* Good lighting is crucial. The better your starting point, the better the final result. Ideally, you want soft, diffused lighting.
2. Basic Panel Settings:
* Exposure: Adjust to achieve a good overall brightness. Don't overexpose. A slight bump might be okay if the initial image is a bit underexposed, but focus on preserving highlights.
* Contrast: Reduce this. The core of a soft portrait is lowering contrast. Aim for a value between -15 and -40. Lower contrast helps blend highlights and shadows, creating a softer look.
* Highlights: Decrease these slightly (-5 to -15). This helps retain detail in the brightest areas of the image, preventing them from becoming blown out.
* Shadows: Increase these slightly (+5 to +15). This opens up the shadows and reveals more detail in darker areas, contributing to the overall softness.
* Whites: Adjust carefully. If the image is already bright, decrease slightly. If it's underexposed, increase slightly. Use the histogram as a guide to avoid clipping.
* Blacks: Adjust carefully. Similar to whites, this controls the darkest tones. A slight increase can sometimes help with a soft look, but be careful not to make the image appear muddy.
3. Tone Curve:
* Point Curve (or Region Curve): This is where you'll create an "S" curve, but a very *gentle* one.
* Lower Shadows: Slightly lift the lower part of the curve (bottom left). This brightens the shadows and adds to the soft, dreamy feel.
* Midtones: Gently raise the midtones. This brightens the overall image and further softens the contrast.
* Highlights: Slightly lower the highlights (top right). This prevents them from becoming too harsh.
* Channel Curve: If you're comfortable, you can also subtly adjust the Red, Green, and Blue channels. Adding a very slight "S" curve to each channel can enhance colors in a pleasing way. Be careful not to overdo it.
4. HSL/Color Panel:
* Hue: Subtly adjust skin tones (orange and red). Usually, slightly shifting the hue of orange towards red can make skin look healthier. Be very subtle.
* Saturation: Reduce saturation, especially in orange and red, to soften skin tones and reduce redness. A value of -5 to -15 is usually enough.
* Luminance: Increase the luminance of skin tones (orange and red). This brightens the skin and contributes to the soft, glowing effect. A value of +5 to +15 is typically sufficient.
5. Detail Panel:
* Sharpening: Reduce the amount slider significantly. A softer image is key for a soft portrait. Try a value between 10 and 30 (or even less). You might also consider reducing the radius and increasing the detail a bit, depending on your image.
* Noise Reduction: This is crucial. Increase the Luminance noise reduction slider. A value between 10 and 30 (or even more) can help smooth out skin and reduce unwanted texture. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can make the image look too plastic. Color Noise Reduction can also be increased slightly.
6. Effects Panel:
* Vignetting: A very slight positive vignette can sometimes help draw attention to the subject. Use the *Amount* slider sparingly (e.g., +5 to +10). This will brighten the corners. A negative vignette is generally not desirable for soft portraits as it darkens and tends to add drama rather than softness.
* Grain: Adding a tiny amount of grain (2-5) can sometimes give a subtle film-like look, but this is optional and depends on personal preference.
7. Calibration Panel (Optional):
* Red, Green, Blue Primaries: Experimenting with these sliders can subtly alter the overall color cast of the image. Small adjustments can sometimes enhance skin tones or create a more pleasing look. However, be cautious, as overdoing it can lead to unnatural results.
Important Considerations and Tips:
* Experimentation is Key: The exact settings will vary depending on the original image. Don't be afraid to experiment and tweak the settings to achieve the desired look.
* Use a Brush for Selective Adjustments: The adjustment brush is your friend! Use it to selectively soften skin, brighten eyes, or dodge and burn specific areas. Common brush adjustments include:
* Soft Skin: Reduce clarity, sharpness, and increase noise reduction on the skin.
* Brighten Eyes: Increase exposure and contrast slightly on the eyes.
* Avoid Over-Processing: The goal is a soft, natural look, not a heavily processed image.
* Start Subtle: Make small adjustments and gradually build up the effect. It's easier to add more than it is to take away.
* Save Your Preset: Once you're happy with the results, save the settings as a user preset. To do this, go to the Presets panel (usually on the left), click the "+" icon, and choose "Create Preset." Name your preset something descriptive like "Soft Portrait Lr4".
Example Starting Settings (Adjust These Based on Your Image):
* Exposure: +0.15
* Contrast: -30
* Highlights: -10
* Shadows: +10
* Whites: +5
* Blacks: -5
* Tone Curve: Gentle S-curve
* Orange Saturation: -10
* Orange Luminance: +10
* Sharpening: Amount 20, Radius 1.0, Detail 25
* Luminance Noise Reduction: 20
Workflow Summary:
1. Import your image into Lightroom.
2. Adjust the Basic panel settings (exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks).
3. Fine-tune the Tone Curve for a softer look.
4. Adjust the HSL/Color panel for skin tones.
5. Reduce sharpening and increase noise reduction in the Detail panel.
6. Experiment with the Effects panel for a subtle vignette (optional).
7. Consider subtle adjustments in the Calibration panel (optional).
8. Use the Adjustment Brush for localized adjustments (skin softening, eye brightening).
9. Save your settings as a preset.
By following these steps, you can create a "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that will consistently deliver beautiful, flattering results. Remember to adapt the settings to suit each individual image. Good luck!