1. Base Settings (Exposure & White Balance):
* Exposure: Start with a slightly higher exposure than your image normally requires. We're aiming for a brighter, softer feel. Adjust until the overall image looks slightly overexposed, but not clipping highlights severely. Often around +0.3 to +0.7 stops is a good starting point.
* Contrast: Decrease the contrast. This is crucial for softening the image and blending highlights and shadows. Aim for a setting between -10 and -30, depending on the initial contrast of your photo.
* Highlights: Reduce highlights significantly. This helps recover detail in bright areas and contribute to the soft look. Try -30 to -60 as a starting point.
* Shadows: Increase shadows slightly to bring out detail in darker areas and further balance the overall brightness. A range of +10 to +30 is usually good.
* Whites: Adjust slightly to control the overall brightness of the highlights. Be careful not to clip them entirely. Usually a slight decrease, maybe -5 to -15.
* Blacks: Raise the blacks slightly to lift the shadows and give the image a more faded, vintage feel. Experiment with +5 to +20.
2. Tone Curve:
* Point Curve (Optional, but Recommended): A subtle S-curve can add a gentle contrast boost without being harsh.
* Raise the shadow point slightly: Click and drag the lower left point upward just a bit. This "lifts the blacks" further, creating a slightly faded effect. Don't overdo it!
* Add a very subtle mid-tone bump: Click in the middle of the curve and drag upward slightly to gently boost mid-tone contrast.
* Region Based Adjustments (Alternatives to Point Curve): You can also use the region based adjustments instead of the point curve for a similar effect. Raising highlights, midtones and shadows while lowering darks in the tone curve panel, and setting the strengths accordingly, is how this can be achieved.
3. Clarity & Vibrance/Saturation:
* Clarity: This is one of the most important settings for a soft portrait. Lower it significantly. A negative clarity setting softens skin and reduces harsh edges. Aim for -20 to -50 or even lower, depending on the image. Watch for a "muddy" look; back off if you see it.
* Vibrance: Slightly increase vibrance to enhance colors without making them overly saturated. A range of +5 to +15 is usually sufficient.
* Saturation: Be careful with saturation. Generally, a slight *decrease* can help create a more delicate look. Try -5 to +5. Over-saturating can ruin the soft effect.
4. Detail Panel (Sharpening & Noise Reduction):
* Sharpening: Lower the sharpening amount to reduce fine details and further soften the image. Try reducing the default amount to 20-30, and increase the masking to prevent sharpening in the flat areas. This setting is subjective and depends on your lens and camera.
* Noise Reduction (Luminance): Increase luminance noise reduction *slightly* to smooth out skin and reduce grain. A small adjustment of +5 to +15 can be helpful. Don't overdo it, as it can make the image look artificial and lose detail.
5. HSL/Color Panel (Optional):
* Skin Tones: Adjust the hue, saturation, and luminance of the orange and red channels to refine skin tones.
* Orange Hue: Tweak slightly towards red or yellow to fine-tune skin color.
* Orange Saturation: Reduce slightly if skin looks too orange.
* Orange Luminance: Increase to brighten skin.
* Other Colors: You might also adjust the saturation and luminance of other colors in the image (blues for eyes, greens for background, etc.) to create a harmonious and balanced look.
6. Effects (Vignetting & Grain):
* Vignetting (Post-Crop): A very subtle negative vignetting can help focus the viewer's eye on the subject. Use the "Highlight Priority" style and adjust the amount very slightly (-5 to -15).
* Grain (Optional): Adding a very small amount of grain can sometimes enhance the "film-like" quality of the soft portrait. However, be extremely subtle.
7. Camera Calibration (Optional):
* Experiment with the camera profiles, especially the "Portrait" profile if it's available for your camera. This profile is usually designed to be more flattering for skin tones.
* You can also adjust the Red, Green, and Blue primary hues and saturations for even finer control over the colors in your image.
Saving the Preset:
1. Once you're happy with the settings, click the "+" button in the Presets panel.
2. Give your preset a descriptive name, such as "Soft Portrait."
3. In the "Create Preset" dialog box, make sure to select the settings you adjusted. It's a good idea to check "Process Version" to ensure compatibility with future Lightroom updates.
4. Click "Create."
Important Considerations:
* Image-Specific Adjustments: Presets are a starting point. You will *always* need to make adjustments to the preset based on the specific image you are editing. Factors like lighting, skin tone, and the colors in the scene will all influence how the preset looks.
* Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings. This guide provides a starting point, but the best soft portrait preset is one that you tailor to your own style and preferences.
* Subtlety is Key: The goal is to create a soft and flattering look, not an overly processed one. Avoid extreme settings.
* Skin Tone: Pay close attention to skin tones. If the skin looks unnatural, adjust the HSL/Color panel or the white balance.
* Details: Zoom in to 100% to check for sharpness and noise. Make sure you are not sacrificing too much detail for the sake of softness.
By following these steps and experimenting with different settings, you can create a beautiful "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that will help you achieve a dreamy and flattering look for your portrait photography. Remember to adjust the preset to suit each individual image for optimal results. Good luck!