1. Start with a Well-Exposed Image:
* A properly exposed image will give you the best foundation for adjustments. Adjust basic exposure in the *Basic* panel first if needed. Ideally, you want a slightly bright image.
2. Access the Develop Module:
* Import your portrait into Lightroom and navigate to the *Develop* module.
3. The Key Adjustments:
* We'll focus on the *Basic*, *Tone Curve*, *HSL/Color*, and *Detail* panels primarily.
A. Basic Panel:
* Exposure: Increase slightly. Often +0.20 to +0.50, but depends on the original image. The goal is brighter skin.
* Contrast: Lower it significantly. A good starting point is -20 to -40. This reduces harsh shadows and highlights.
* Highlights: Lower slightly. -10 to -20 can help recover blown-out highlights in skin.
* Shadows: Increase slightly. +10 to +20 will open up shadow areas and soften the overall look.
* Whites: Adjust based on the image. Experiment with slightly increasing (+5 to +15) or decreasing (-5 to -15) to fine-tune the brightness.
* Blacks: Increase slightly. +5 to +10 will prevent the image from becoming muddy. Be careful not to lift the blacks too much, or the image will look washed out.
* Clarity: This is crucial. Decrease it significantly. -20 to -40 is a good starting point. This is the key to the "soft" look. A negative Clarity value blurs the image in a pleasing way.
* Vibrance: Increase moderately. +10 to +20 will boost the overall color without oversaturating skin tones.
* Saturation: Increase subtly. +5 to +10, or leave it at zero if you prefer a more muted look.
B. Tone Curve Panel:
* Point Curve (Recommended): The best way to create a soft, filmic look is with a subtle "S" curve.
* Add a point in the upper-right portion of the curve and gently pull it up and to the left to brighten the highlights.
* Add a point in the lower-left portion of the curve and gently pull it down and to the right to darken the shadows.
* The goal is a very subtle "S". Too strong will increase contrast, which we don't want.
* Region Curve (Alternatives if Point Curve is intimidating):
* Highlights: Slightly boost the highlights.
* Lights: Slightly boost the lights.
* Darks: Slightly darken the darks.
* Shadows: Slightly lift the shadows.
C. HSL/Color Panel:
* Hue: Subtle adjustments to skin tones can be beneficial.
* Orange: Shift slightly towards yellow. (+5 to +10) This warms up skin tones. Be careful not to overdo it, or skin will look artificial.
* Red: Shift slightly towards orange. (+5 to +10) This also helps with skin tones.
* Saturation: Control skin tone saturation.
* Orange: Slightly decrease the saturation. (-5 to -10) This can prevent over-saturated skin.
* Red: Slightly decrease the saturation. (-5 to -10)
* Luminance: Adjust skin tone brightness.
* Orange: Increase the luminance slightly. (+5 to +10) This brightens skin.
D. Detail Panel:
* Sharpening: Reduce sharpening.
* Amount: Lower it to around 20-30. Too much sharpening will ruin the soft effect.
* Radius: Leave at 1.0.
* Detail: Leave at the default.
* Masking: Increase it significantly (60-80). This applies sharpening only to edges, preventing sharpening of skin texture. Hold down the Alt/Option key while adjusting Masking to see the areas being sharpened.
* Noise Reduction: Add some noise reduction, especially if shooting at higher ISOs.
* Luminance: Increase it slightly (5-15). This will smooth out skin texture and further enhance the soft look.
* Color: Leave at the default.
E. Camera Calibration (Optional, but powerful):
* This panel is often overlooked, but it can drastically change the color rendition of your images.
* Profile: Experiment with different camera profiles. "Camera Standard" or "Camera Portrait" are often good starting points.
* Shadow Tint: Adjust the shadow tint to fine-tune the color in the shadows.
4. Saving Your Preset:
* Once you're happy with the adjustments, go to the *Presets* panel (usually on the left side of the Develop module).
* Click the "+" button at the top of the Presets panel.
* Give your preset a descriptive name, like "Soft Portrait LR4."
* In the "Check" window, make sure to select all the settings you want to include in the preset. Generally, you'll want to include everything you adjusted:
* Basic Tone
* Tone Curve
* HSL/Color
* Detail
* Camera Calibration
* If you want to exclude certain adjustments, like lens corrections (which might be specific to the lens used for that image), uncheck them.
* Click "Create."
5. Using Your Preset:
* Apply the preset to other portrait images.
* Remember that presets are a starting point. You'll likely need to make minor adjustments to each image based on its unique characteristics. Pay particular attention to:
* Exposure: Adjust the exposure slider in the Basic panel.
* White Balance: Tweak the White Balance to ensure natural skin tones.
* Contrast: Adjust if the image is too flat or too contrasty after applying the preset.
Tips for Success:
* Subtlety is key: Don't overdo any of the adjustments. The goal is a soft, natural look, not an artificial one.
* Practice and Experiment: Play around with the settings to find what works best for your style and the images you typically shoot.
* Skin Tone is Paramount: Always pay close attention to skin tones. Make sure they look natural and flattering.
* Batch Processing: After applying the preset and making adjustments to one image in a series, use the "Sync" button to apply the same settings to other images in the same series. This can save a lot of time. Remember to review each image individually, as some may require slight adjustments.
* Don't Be Afraid to Tweak: No preset will be perfect for every image. Use your preset as a foundation and then fine-tune the settings to achieve the desired look for each individual photograph.
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. Good luck!