1. Open Lightroom 4 and Select an Image:
* Import a portrait you want to use as a reference while creating the preset. Choose one with good lighting and a subject you feel comfortable working on.
2. Develop Module:
* Navigate to the Develop Module.
3. Basic Panel Adjustments:
* Exposure: Slightly increase the exposure if the image is underexposed. Aim for a well-lit but not blown-out look. A small bump, like +0.10 to +0.30, is often sufficient.
* Contrast: Decrease the contrast. Lowering contrast is a fundamental step in achieving a softer look. Try values between -15 and -30. Experiment based on the original image's contrast.
* Highlights: Lower the highlights. This recovers detail in brighter areas, like skin. Adjust between -20 and -40.
* Shadows: Increase the shadows. This helps lift the darker areas and balance the image. Adjust between +15 and +30.
* Whites: Slightly lower the whites. This can help prevent overexposure and maintain a softer feel. Adjust between -5 and -15.
* Blacks: Slightly increase the blacks. This can add a touch of depth without adding harsh contrast. Adjust between +5 and +15.
4. Tone Curve Panel Adjustments (Optional, but impactful):
* Point Curve: The Tone Curve is crucial for controlling contrast and brightness.
* Subtle S-Curve (for a gentler look): Create a very subtle "S" curve. Slightly pull the upper-right quadrant of the curve down a little, and the lower-left quadrant up a little. The key here is subtle! If the curve is too drastic, it will look artificial.
* Linear Curve (for a very flat and soft look): You could also simply flatten the tone curve into a near-straight line. This reduces overall contrast substantially. Experiment to see which look you prefer.
5. HSL/Color Panel Adjustments:
* Luminance:
* Orange: Increase the luminance of orange. This brightens the skin tones, contributing to a softer appearance. Adjust between +10 and +25. Be careful not to overdo it, as it can make skin look unnatural.
* Red: Slightly increase the luminance of red. This can help brighten lips and cheeks. Adjust between +5 and +15.
* Saturation:
* Orange: Slightly desaturate orange. This can help reduce any overly vibrant orange tones in the skin. Adjust between -5 and -15.
* Yellow: Slightly desaturate yellow if the overall image appears too warm. Adjust between -5 and -10.
* Hue: Minor hue adjustments can correct skin tones. Generally, leave these alone unless you see a specific color cast.
6. Detail Panel Adjustments:
* Sharpening:
* Amount: Reduce the sharpening amount. Soft portraits benefit from reduced sharpness. Try setting the amount to 20-30.
* Radius: Keep the radius low (around 0.5 to 0.7).
* Detail: Reduce the detail slider somewhat (around 20-30).
* Masking: Increase the masking slider significantly (around 60-80). This applies sharpening only to the areas where there's a lot of detail, avoiding sharpening the skin and contributing to a softer look. Hold down the 'Alt' (Windows) or 'Option' (Mac) key while dragging the masking slider to see a visual representation of the areas being sharpened. White areas are sharpened, black areas are not.
* Noise Reduction:
* Luminance: Increase the luminance noise reduction. This smooths out the skin and reduces grain. Start with a value of 10-20 and adjust as needed. Too much noise reduction can make the skin look plastic.
* Color: Increase the color noise reduction slightly (around 10-15). This reduces color blotches.
7. Lens Corrections (Optional):
* Enable Profile Corrections: Check the "Enable Profile Corrections" box under the "Lens Corrections" panel. This will automatically correct for lens distortion and chromatic aberration, which can improve the overall image quality.
* Remove Chromatic Aberration: Check the "Remove Chromatic Aberration" box.
8. Camera Calibration (Optional):
* The Camera Calibration panel can subtly influence color tones. Experiment with the "Profile" dropdown to see if any of the camera-specific profiles enhance your portrait.
9. Creating the Preset:
* Once you're happy with your adjustments, click the "+" icon in the Presets panel (left-hand side of the Develop Module).
* Give your preset a descriptive name, such as "Soft Portrait LR4".
* Carefully select which settings you want to save into the preset. It's generally best to *deselect* settings that are specific to the image, such as:
* Exposure: Leave this unchecked unless you want the preset to always apply a specific exposure correction.
* Local Adjustments: These are adjustments made with the Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, or Radial Filter. These are specific to the image.
* Spot Removal: Leave this unchecked.
* Click "Create."
Tips and Considerations:
* Subtlety is Key: Overdoing any of these adjustments can lead to an unnatural-looking result. Aim for subtle enhancements.
* Image-Specific Tweaks: Remember that every image is different. Your preset will likely need to be tweaked slightly for each individual photo.
* Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with different values and settings to find what works best for your style.
* Skin Tone: Pay close attention to skin tones. Make sure they look natural and healthy. Use the HSL/Color panel to adjust if needed.
* Clarity (Avoid): Avoid using the Clarity slider. It often adds harshness and texture, which goes against the soft portrait look. If you *really* want to use it, apply a *negative* clarity adjustment very subtly (-5 to -10).
* Backup: Regularly back up your Lightroom presets!
By following these steps, you can create a beautiful soft portrait preset in Lightroom 4 that will enhance your portraits and give them a dreamy, flattering look. Remember to practice and refine your preset to suit your individual style and preferences.