Important Considerations Before Starting:
* Original Image: The effectiveness of this preset will depend on the original image. Is it well-lit? How is the skin? Will you need to make additional edits based on the specific portrait?
* Subtlety: The key to a good "soft portrait" preset is subtlety. You don't want to completely obliterate detail or create an unnatural look.
* Experimentation: This is a starting point. Don't be afraid to adjust the settings to fit your own style and the specific needs of each photo.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the Preset:
1. Import and Select an Image:
* Import a portrait into Lightroom 4. Choose an image that is representative of the type of portraits you typically edit. This will make fine-tuning the preset easier.
2. Basic Panel Adjustments:
* Exposure: Adjust slightly to taste. Aim for a bright, but not overexposed, overall image. Typically, a slight bump is needed (+0.10 to +0.30 stops).
* Contrast: Reduce this! This is crucial for a softer look. Start with `-20` to `-40`. You can adjust later.
* Highlights: Reduce the highlights significantly. This helps to tame any bright areas and prevent blown highlights on the skin. Try `-50` to `-80`.
* Shadows: Open up the shadows to soften the overall feel. Experiment with `+20` to `+50`.
* Whites: Gently increase the whites. This can add a subtle brightness without overexposing. Start with `+5` to `+15`.
* Blacks: Adjust slightly. Often, a slight decrease (`-5` to `-15`) helps to retain some definition.
3. Tone Curve Panel:
* Point Curve: Instead of working with the Parametric curve (default), switch to the *Point Curve*. This offers more precise control.
* Subtle "S" Curve (or very slight adjustment): Create a very, very gentle "S" curve.
* Click to add a point near the bottom-left corner. Drag it slightly *up* (raising the shadows).
* Click to add a point near the top-right corner. Drag it slightly *down* (lowering the highlights).
* The key is to be extremely subtle. The goal is to slightly reduce contrast and add a hint of luminance. If overdone, the image will look flat and unnatural.
4. HSL / Color Panel:
* Luminance: This is where you refine skin tones and overall brightness.
* Orange: Increase the Luminance of the Orange slider. This will brighten skin. Start with `+10` to `+30`. Adjust based on the skin tone.
* Red: Increase the Luminance of the Red slider slightly. This can add a touch of glow. Try `+5` to `+15`.
* Yellow: Adjust to taste based on the lighting in the original image. Generally, increasing the yellow luminance slightly can help brighten the overall look.
* Saturation: Subtly reduce saturation, especially in the skin tones.
* Orange: Decrease the Saturation of Orange. Start with `-5` to `-15`. This prevents the skin from looking too orange or unnatural.
* Red: Decrease the Saturation of Red slightly. `-5` to `-10`.
* Hue: Make small adjustments if needed.
* Orange: Adjust the Orange Hue slightly towards Red if the skin looks too yellow, or towards Yellow if the skin looks too red. Only very small adjustments are needed here (+/- 5).
5. Split Toning (Optional):
* This can add a subtle color tone to the highlights and shadows. If you want a warmer tone, add a slight orange or yellow to the highlights. If you prefer a cooler tone, add a slight blue or teal to the shadows. The key is to be extremely subtle. Start with a Hue around 30-40 for Highlights and a Saturation of 3-5. For shadows, a Hue around 220-240 and a saturation of 3-5 may work.
6. Detail Panel:
* Sharpening: Reduce the Sharpening. Sharpening can accentuate skin imperfections. Try setting the Amount to `20-40`. Increase the Radius to around 1.2. Increase Detail to somewhere around 50-60. Increase masking to 30-40.
* Noise Reduction: Increase Luminance Noise Reduction slightly. This helps to smooth out skin and reduce any grain. Start with `+5` to `+15`.
7. Effects Panel:
* Vignette: Add a *slight* negative vignette (`-5` to `-15`) to subtly draw the viewer's eye to the subject. Use the "Highlight Priority" style and adjust the Midpoint and Roundness to taste. (This step is optional, but often enhances the portrait.)
* Grain: You can add a very subtle amount of grain (Amount: 5-10) for a more filmic look, if desired.
8. Camera Calibration (Optional):
* This panel can be used to subtly shift the color tones in the image. Experiment with the Red, Green, and Blue Primary Hue and Saturation sliders. Small adjustments can have a big impact.
9. Save the Preset:
* Once you are happy with the result, click the "+" button in the Presets panel (on the left side).
* Name the preset something descriptive like "Soft Portrait v1" or "Gentle Portrait."
* Crucially: When the "New Develop Preset" box appears, *uncheck* any settings that you don't want to be part of the preset. For example, you likely don't want to save "White Balance" or "Exposure" as these will vary greatly from image to image. Generally, check the following:
* Exposure (Uncheck if you want exposure to be image-specific)
* Contrast
* Highlights
* Shadows
* Whites
* Blacks
* Tone Curve
* HSL / Color
* Split Toning
* Detail
* Effects
* Camera Calibration
* Click "Create."
Tips and Considerations:
* Iterate: Use the preset on several different portraits and make adjustments to the preset until it works well across a range of images.
* Facial Recognition: Lightroom does *not* have built-in facial recognition or skin tone detection to automatically adjust the preset. You'll still need to make tweaks to each image.
* Skin Imperfections: This preset *softens* the skin, but it doesn't remove blemishes. Use the Spot Removal tool (healing brush) for more targeted retouching if needed.
* Clarity: Generally, you *don't* want to increase the Clarity slider for a soft portrait. Clarity increases mid-tone contrast, which is the opposite of what you're trying to achieve. However, in *rare* cases, a very *slight* negative Clarity (e.g., -5 to -10) can further soften the skin.
* Different Lighting Conditions: This preset might need adjustments for portraits taken in bright sunlight versus those taken in soft, diffused light.
* Batch Processing: Be careful when applying this preset to a large batch of photos. Always review each image individually and make adjustments as necessary.
By following these steps and experimenting, you can create a "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that provides a consistent and beautiful look to your portraits. Remember to prioritize subtlety and adjust the settings to suit each individual image. Good luck!