I. Basic Adjustments
* Exposure: Adjust as needed to properly expose the image. You might want to slightly overexpose (+0.1 to +0.3) to brighten the overall image and contribute to the softness, but be careful not to blow out highlights. This depends heavily on the original image.
* Contrast: Reduce the contrast significantly. A range of -20 to -40 can work well. This flattens the tonal range and contributes to the soft, dreamy feel.
* Highlights: Lower the Highlights slider (-20 to -40). This recovers detail in bright areas and prevents blown-out highlights.
* Shadows: Increase the Shadows slider (+20 to +40). This brightens the darker areas and reveals more detail in the shadows, further reducing overall contrast.
* Whites: Adjust Whites to refine the overall brightness without clipping. A slight increase or decrease might be needed depending on the image.
* Blacks: Adjust Blacks to set the darkest point in the image. A slight increase can lift the blacks for a more matte look, but be careful not to make the image look washed out.
II. Tone Curve
* Point Curve: The Tone Curve is crucial for creating a soft look. You can create a subtle "S" curve or a more gentle curve. Here's a common approach:
* Create a Point Curve (rather than a Parametric Curve): Click on the icon in the bottom right of the Tone Curve panel to switch to Point Curve mode.
* Gentle S-Curve: Add a point in the lower-left quadrant of the curve and slightly pull it up. Add another point in the upper-right quadrant and slightly pull it down. This will lift the shadows and soften the highlights. The key is to be *subtle*. Avoid creating a steep or dramatic curve.
* Alternative: Flattening Curve: Another technique is to slightly flatten both the highlights and shadows end of the curve to reduce contrast in these areas.
III. Detail & Sharpness
* Sharpening: This is counterintuitive, but *reduce* the Sharpening slider. Start by setting the Amount to somewhere between 0 and 25. The key is to soften the image, not sharpen it.
* Radius: Leave the Radius around the default of 1.0.
* Detail: Reducing the Detail slider slightly can further smooth skin. Experiment with values between 10 and 30.
* Masking: Increasing the Masking slider prevents sharpening from being applied to areas with smooth gradients like skin. Start around 50 and adjust as needed. Holding down the Alt/Option key while adjusting Masking will show a black and white representation of the mask; white areas are being sharpened, black areas are not.
* Noise Reduction (Luminance): Increase Luminance noise reduction to smooth skin and reduce grain. Start with a value of 10-20 and adjust to taste. Be careful not to overdo it, as it can make the image look plastic.
* Color Noise Reduction: Keep Color Noise Reduction around its default of 25.
IV. Color Adjustments
* Vibrance: Increase Vibrance slightly (+5 to +15) to boost the saturation of the more muted colors without oversaturating the already vibrant ones.
* Saturation: Decrease Saturation slightly (-5 to -10) to tone down the overall color intensity. This contributes to the soft, dreamy feel.
* HSL/Color Panel: This is where you fine-tune skin tones.
* Luminance: Increase the Luminance of Oranges and Yellows slightly. This brightens the skin tones and makes them glow.
* Saturation: Slightly reduce the Saturation of Oranges and Yellows to prevent overly saturated skin.
* Hue: You can subtly adjust the Hue of Oranges and Yellows to fine-tune skin tones. Moving Orange slightly towards Red can add warmth, while moving it towards Yellow can brighten the skin.
V. Effects
* Post-Crop Vignetting: Consider adding a subtle vignette (Amount: -10 to -20) to draw the viewer's eye towards the center of the image. Use the "Highlight Priority" style for a more natural look.
* Grain: Adding a small amount of grain can create a film-like look. Be subtle; a value of 5-10 is usually sufficient.
VI. Calibration (Optional)
* The Calibration panel allows you to tweak the base color interpretations of your camera profile. This is more advanced, but you could experiment with the Red, Green, and Blue Primaries to further refine the overall color tone and mood.
VII. Saving the Preset
1. Once you're happy with the settings, click the "+" button in the Presets panel on the left side of Lightroom.
2. Name your preset something descriptive, like "Soft Portrait" or "Dreamy Portrait."
3. Check the boxes for all the settings you've adjusted. It's generally a good idea to include all settings to ensure consistent results.
4. Click "Create."
Important Considerations:
* Image Specificity: No single preset works perfectly for every photo. You'll likely need to make slight adjustments to the preset on a per-image basis. Pay close attention to exposure, white balance, and skin tone.
* White Balance: Get the white balance right *before* applying the preset. Incorrect white balance will throw off the entire look.
* Skin Tones: Monitor skin tones carefully throughout the process. The goal is to create a flattering, natural look, not an artificial or overly processed one.
* Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings to find what works best for your style and the types of portraits you shoot.
* RAW vs. JPEG: Presets are most effective with RAW images, as they contain more information and allow for greater flexibility in editing.
Troubleshooting Common Problems:
* Plastic Skin: Reduce Luminance noise reduction and sharpening. Also, avoid excessive contrast reduction.
* Washed Out Look: Increase the Contrast or Blacks slightly.
* Overly Bright: Reduce the Exposure, Highlights, or Whites.
* Unnatural Skin Tones: Adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance of Oranges and Yellows in the HSL/Color panel.
By following these steps and experimenting with the settings, you can create a beautiful "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that will enhance your portrait photography. Remember to start subtle and gradually increase the adjustments until you achieve the desired effect. Good luck!