How can I create a washed-out, low-contrast portrait look in Lightroom?
Asked 4/25/2014
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I want to give portraits a soft, washed-out look with low contrast and a slightly flared feel, similar to the style in the linked examples. What Lightroom adjustments can create this effect, especially if I want it to affect only parts of the image rather than the whole frame?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
1
You could use the Clarity slider but go negative on it and that will soften the look. However that will apply it to the whole image, whereas this looks like it was done selectively (one way in camera would be to apply vaseline to a clear filter).
To replicate that, use the Adjustment Brush to paint various areas you want to soften and then apply the Negative Clarity. Play with a few of the other Adjustment Brush sliders to change exposure and saturation to refine.
Originally by user27625. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27625
12y ago
0
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A simple Lightroom approach is to reduce clarity rather than increase it. Try moving the Clarity slider into negative values to soften contrast and give the image a hazier, more washed-out feel.
Because this look is often selective, it usually works better locally than globally. Use the Adjustment Brush to paint over the areas you want to soften, then apply negative Clarity there. You can also fine-tune the effect with the brush by slightly adjusting exposure and saturation until the portrait looks softer and more faded.
If you apply negative clarity to the whole image, it may look too uniformly soft, so selective adjustments are usually the better match for this style.
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