Today we bring you guys yet another Lightroom 4 Preset System Mixology episode! In this Mixology Tutorial we are going to create a new Mixology Preset that is going to work magic on portraits. Hence, we are going to call it, Portrait Magic (or really whatever you guys like). This Mixology Preset is designed to make portraits vivid and poppy, while also smoothing out unflattering detail and highlights on skin. The goal is to create a nice high contrast image, but one that is overall flattering for our subjects as well. This Lightroom 4 Mixology Preset should work wonders on any semi-close to close up portrait shot. Enjoy!

Be sure to share your results on our Mixology Forum.

See more before/after images in our Facebook Photo Gallery on the SLR Lounge Facebook Page.
Original RAW SOOC

After applying the Preset

The Lightroom 4 Preset System is extremely powerful because it allows you to create a virtually endless variety of looks with just a few simple clicks which you can then save to your 00 MY MIXOLOGY Folder. In each of these episodes, we will create one of these looks with just a few clicks, then we will save it out as a new Mixology in MY MIXOLOGY. We are going to cover a variety of styles and effects, so feel free to name and organize your MY MIXOLOGY folder contents however you like, as that folder is designed to be your personal space for all your favorite mixologies.

Enjoy the video below!

Mixology Recipe

For those that don’t want to watch the video, here are the steps to achieve this effect using the Lightroom 4 Preset System. As always, start with the Standard Import Preset which should be applied to each image when you first bring it into LR4 before applying the settings below:

1. BASE ADJUSTMENTS –> 12 Flatten (Portraits) Dynamic Range
2. BASE ADJUSTMENTS –> 22 Light Soften (Skin) Detail
3. BASE ADJUSTMENTS –> 62 Light (Noise Reduction)
4. NEUTRAL CURVES –> 31 Ivory

That’s it! Now just save it out in your MY MIXOLOGY folder with a cool name of your liking and you are done!

Purchase or Learn More About the Lightroom 4 Preset System

For those that may not have seen the SLR Lounge Lightroom 4 Preset System. The Lightroom 4 Preset System has been designed from the ground up to be able to help you achieve any effect you desire. From vivid color correct images, to HDRs, to faded vintage images, to antiqued images, the sky is the limit!

Included are nearly 130 Develop Presets and 26 Brush Presets that are not only incredibly powerful, but also surprisingly simple and intuitive. Best of all, while other companies would charge $300, $400 or $500+ for a system like this, we are making the entire system available for only $99. Oh yeah, and the accompanying tutorials and mixologies, those are all free! So enjoy peeps. Below are all of the initial tutorials to get you guys started.

Purchase or Learn More About the Lightroom 4 Preset System