1. Import and Select an Image:
* Open Lightroom 4 and import a portrait image you want to work with. Choose one with good lighting but maybe a little harshness in the skin.
* Select the image and switch to the Develop module.
2. Basic Panel Adjustments:
* Exposure: Adjust the exposure slightly to ensure your image is well-lit. Usually, a subtle increase (e.g., +0.10 to +0.30) is good.
* Contrast: Reduce contrast to soften the overall image. Try a value between -10 and -30. Too much reduction will flatten the image.
* Highlights: Lower the highlights to recover details in bright areas, further softening the skin. Try -20 to -40.
* Shadows: Increase the shadows to brighten darker areas and reveal more detail. Try +10 to +30.
* Whites: Adjust slightly. You may want to increase it a bit to create a brighter, airy feel. +5 to +15 is a good starting point.
* Blacks: Adjust to taste. Lowering it slightly can add depth, but too much will make the image feel harsh. -5 to -15 is a good starting point.
3. Tone Curve Adjustments (Crucial for Softness):
* Click the Tone Curve panel.
* Select the Point Curve (the icon that looks like a line).
* Create a subtle "S" curve: This is the key to softness and glow.
* Slightly lift the black point: Drag the bottom-left point of the curve *upwards* ever so slightly. This will fade the blacks and give the image a softer feel. Don't overdo it, or it will look washed out. A small adjustment is key.
* Create a gentle bend in the middle: Click to add points along the curve, and gently pull down in the shadows area (lower part of the curve) and pull up in the highlights area (upper part of the curve). Aim for a subtle "S" shape. This will increase contrast in the mid-tones and give a "glow."
4. HSL / Color Panel Adjustments:
* Hue: Make subtle adjustments to skin tones, if needed. Often, shifting the orange slider towards red slightly can improve skin tone, but be very careful.
* Saturation: Reduce saturation slightly in the orange and yellow channels to further soften skin tones. -5 to -15 for each is a good starting point.
* Luminance: Increase the luminance of the orange and yellow channels to brighten the skin and add a healthy glow. +5 to +15 for each.
5. Detail Panel Adjustments (Sharpening and Noise Reduction):
* Sharpening: Reduce sharpening to soften the image. Start with a low value (e.g., 20-40) and adjust the Radius and Detail sliders to achieve a natural look. Masking can be important here. Hold Alt/Option while dragging the Masking slider to only sharpen edges and avoid adding texture to the skin.
* Noise Reduction: Increase luminance noise reduction to smooth out the skin. Start with a value of 10-20 and adjust as needed. Increase color noise reduction to remove any color blotches.
6. Effects Panel Adjustments (Optional - Vignetting and Grain):
* Vignetting: A subtle vignette can draw the eye to the subject. Use a negative value in the Amount slider of the Post-Crop Vignetting section. Adjust the Midpoint, Roundness, and Feather to taste.
* Grain: Adding a tiny amount of grain (e.g., Amount 5-10, Size 25-30, Roughness 50-60) can give a film-like texture, though this is often best avoided with portraits.
7. Calibration (Subtle but Powerful):
* Go to the Camera Calibration panel.
* Experiment with the Red Primary Hue, Green Primary Hue, and Blue Primary Hue sliders. Very small adjustments can subtly shift the overall color tone and contribute to a more pleasing skin tone. Move them in small increments (e.g., +/- 2 or 3).
8. Saving the Preset:
* Once you're happy with your adjustments, click the Presets tab (on the left side of the Develop module).
* Click the "+" button (New Preset).
* Give your preset a descriptive name like "Soft Portrait" or "Dreamy Portrait."
* Crucially, check the boxes for all the settings you've adjusted. By default, everything is checked. *Uncheck* anything you *don't* want included in the preset. For example, if you don't want the preset to change the Exposure setting on every photo, uncheck the "Exposure" box.
* Choose a folder to save the preset in.
* Click Create.
Tips for Success:
* Subtlety is key: The best soft portrait presets use subtle adjustments. Overdoing it will result in an unrealistic and unnatural look.
* Practice and Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings to find what works best for you and your style.
* Adapt to Each Image: No preset will work perfectly on every image. You'll likely need to make minor adjustments after applying the preset to compensate for different lighting conditions and skin tones.
* Focus on Skin: Pay close attention to the skin tones and texture. The goal is to soften the skin without making it look plastic.
* Use Graduated Filters or Adjustment Brushes: For more targeted softening, use the Graduated Filter or Adjustment Brush tools. For instance, you can subtly reduce sharpness and clarity on the skin area only using the Adjustment Brush. You can also use these tools to subtly brighten the eyes.
* Version Control: If you plan on using this style frequently, create a "Soft Portrait Base" preset that focuses on the core settings (tone curve, subtle contrast reduction, slight sharpening reduction). Then create more specific presets (e.g., "Soft Portrait - Outdoor Light" or "Soft Portrait - Indoor Flash") that build upon the base with adjustments tailored to the specific lighting conditions.
By following these steps and experimenting, you can create a beautiful "Soft Portrait" preset in Lightroom 4 that will help you achieve a flattering and dreamy look for your portrait photography. Remember to save regularly as you go!