How do I create a hazy, faded look in Lightroom?
Asked 11/23/2020
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I’m trying to recreate the soft hazy/faded effect that many Lightroom presets use. It looks like the image has lifted blacks or a slight dim veil across the whole frame, sometimes with a color tint.
What is this effect usually called, and which Lightroom adjustments are typically used to create it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
6
The effect you are referring to is caused by raising the black point of the tone curve.
This is often used by presets in conjunction with split toning to give the black areas a slight colour tint.
Using a different tool to demonstrate:
This achieves the "hazy" look you mention. Applying split toning, without any further adjustment, the first variation can be recreated.
Originally by user96059. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user96059
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This look is usually a faded or matte effect, often combined with haze and color grading.
The main way to get it is to raise the black point in the Tone Curve. That lifts deep shadows so blacks become gray, which creates the washed, hazy look.
You can then refine it with:
- Clarity: lower it for a softer, glowier image
- Texture: lower it to reduce fine detail
- Dehaze: move left to add atmospheric haze
- Split toning / color grading: tint shadows and/or highlights for the colored versions
A common recipe is:
- Open the Tone Curve and lift the lower-left point upward
- Reduce Clarity and/or Texture slightly
- Lower Dehaze if you want more veil across the frame
- Add subtle color grading to shadows or highlights
The exact balance depends on whether you want more of a matte black look or more of a soft foggy look. In many presets, the “faded” part comes primarily from the lifted black point, while the color cast comes from split toning.
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