1. Starting Point: A Well-Exposed Raw Image
* Choose a raw image that is well-exposed in the first place. It's easier to work with a solid foundation than trying to salvage a poorly exposed photo.
2. Basic Panel Adjustments:
* Exposure: Slightly increase exposure, typically by +0.10 to +0.30 stops, depending on the image. The goal is to brighten the overall image slightly, contributing to the soft feel.
* Contrast: Reduce contrast significantly. A range of -20 to -40 is a good starting point. Lowering contrast evens out the tones and eliminates harsh shadows.
* Highlights: Lower highlights. A range of -30 to -50 softens the bright areas, preventing them from being overly harsh.
* Shadows: Increase shadows. A range of +20 to +40 brightens the darker areas, revealing more detail and softening the overall look.
* Whites: Slightly decrease whites. This helps control any potentially blown-out areas and contributes to a softer, less contrasty feel. A range of -5 to -15 might be appropriate.
* Blacks: Slightly increase blacks. This lifts the darkest shadows, creating a more even tonal range. A range of +5 to +15 can work well.
* Clarity: This is a key ingredient. Reduce clarity significantly. A range of -20 to -40 creates a softer texture and reduces fine details, blurring imperfections. Too much reduction will make the image look overly blurry and fake.
* Vibrance/Saturation: Increase Vibrance slightly (+5 to +15). Vibrance affects the less saturated colors, making them more vibrant without overdoing the already saturated tones. Be cautious with Saturation; a slight decrease (-5 to +5) can sometimes be beneficial if the image is naturally colorful.
3. Tone Curve Adjustments:
* Point Curve: The Tone Curve is essential for controlling contrast and creating a dreamy look.
* Subtle "S" Curve (but very gentle): Create a very subtle S-curve. Drag the bottom left portion of the curve slightly upwards to lift the shadows further and drag the top right portion of the curve slightly downwards to lower the highlights a bit more. The curve should be extremely subtle to avoid adding harsh contrast. You can also try flattening the curve near the top end to protect highlights.
* Alternative: Flatten the Curve: An alternative approach is to flatten the curve almost entirely, bringing the top and bottom points closer to the center line. This further reduces contrast.
* Experiment: The precise adjustments depend on the image.
4. HSL/Color Panel Adjustments:
* Skin Tones: Focus on the skin tones to make them look smooth and healthy.
* Hue: Adjust the orange hue slider slightly to fine-tune skin tones. A small change (+/- 5) can make a difference.
* Saturation: Slightly reduce the saturation of orange or red if skin tones are too vibrant. A range of -5 to -10 is usually sufficient.
* Luminance: Increase the luminance of orange or red. This brightens skin tones and gives them a healthy glow. A range of +5 to +15 is a good starting point.
* Other Colors: You can experiment with other colors to enhance the overall mood. For example, slightly desaturating blues or greens can create a more muted and timeless feel.
5. Detail Panel Adjustments:
* Sharpening: Reduce sharpening. Sharpening emphasizes details, which is the opposite of what we want for a soft portrait. Set the Amount to 0 or a very low value (e.g., 10-20).
* Noise Reduction:
* Luminance Noise Reduction: Increase luminance noise reduction to smooth out the skin and reduce grain. A value of 10-25 is a good starting point. Be careful not to overdo it, as it can make the image look plastic.
* Color Noise Reduction: Increase color noise reduction slightly (5-10) to remove any unwanted color artifacts.
6. Effects Panel Adjustments:
* Vignetting: Add a slight negative vignette to draw the viewer's eye towards the center of the image (where the subject is). The amount should be subtle (-5 to -15). Experiment with the Roundness and Midpoint sliders to adjust the shape and placement of the vignette.
* Grain: Adding a touch of grain can simulate film and add texture. Experiment with small values (e.g. 5 to 10).
7. Lens Corrections (Optional):
* If you shot with a lens that has distortion or chromatic aberration, enable "Remove Chromatic Aberration" and "Enable Profile Corrections" in the Lens Corrections panel. This can clean up the edges and improve the overall image quality.
8. Saving the 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 or right-click in the panel and choose "New Preset."
* Give your preset a descriptive name, such as "Soft Portrait Lightroom 4."
* Choose the Develop settings you want to include in the preset. Generally, you'll want to include all the settings you adjusted.
* Click "Create" to save your preset.
Important Considerations & Tips:
* Experimentation is Key: These settings are a starting point. The best settings will vary depending on the specific image and your personal preferences.
* Subtlety: The key to a good soft portrait is subtlety. Avoid overdoing any single setting.
* Skin Tones: Pay close attention to skin tones. They should look natural and healthy.
* Local Adjustments: You can use the Adjustment Brush to make local adjustments, such as smoothing skin or brightening eyes.
* Raw vs. JPEG: Working with raw files provides more flexibility and control during editing. JPEG files have less information and may not respond as well to adjustments.
* Lightroom Version: While this guide is tailored to Lightroom 4, the general principles apply to other versions as well. The interface and specific slider names may vary slightly.
Troubleshooting:
* Image Looks Too Blurry: Reduce the Clarity reduction and luminance noise reduction.
* Skin Tones Look Unnatural: Fine-tune the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance sliders in the HSL/Color panel, focusing on the orange and red channels.
* Image Looks Washed Out: Increase contrast slightly or adjust the tone curve to add more definition.
* Image Looks Too Dark: Increase exposure and/or shadows.
By following these steps and experimenting with the settings, you can create a beautiful "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that will give your portraits a dreamy and flattering look. Remember to start with a good image and make subtle adjustments until you achieve the desired effect. Good luck!