Lightroom Preset Soft And Dreamy ((free)) Now

To create a soft and dreamy Lightroom preset, you primarily work within the Develop Module

to lower midtone definition and manipulate the light for a glowing, "faded" effect 1. Essential Basic Adjustments

The "dreamy" look is defined by reduced harshness and increased luminance. Decrease this significantly (try -20 to -50 ) to soften the midtones and create a fuzzy glow. Use a negative value to add a hazy, foggy appearance. Exposure & Contrast:

Slightly increase exposure while decreasing contrast (around ) to flatten the lighting and make it "airy". Shadows & Blacks: lightroom preset soft and dreamy

Raise these to brighten dark areas and remove heavy shadows. 2. The Faded Tone Curve To achieve a "matte" or film-like look, use the Point Curve Lift the Blacks:

Drag the bottom-left point slightly upward to turn deep blacks into soft grays. Drop the Whites:

Drag the top-right point down slightly to mute harsh highlights. Soft S-Curve: To create a soft and dreamy Lightroom preset,

Add points in the shadows and midtones for a gentle "S" shape to maintain just enough depth so the image doesn't look flat. 3. Color Grading for Mood

Dreamy aesthetics often use "pastel" or warm color palettes.

Part 1: What Exactly is a "Soft and Dreamy" Preset?

Before diving into the technical settings, we must define the visual language. A "soft and dreamy" preset is not simply a blurry photo. It is a deliberate manipulation of several key variables to create a sense of depth, nostalgia, and atmospheric peace. Point Curve: Linear (or slight S-curve) Drag the

2. Tone Curve (Faded Look)

Create a subtle "fade" by lifting the bottom-left point:

• Point Curve: Linear (or slight S-curve)
• Drag the bottom-left black point up slightly (e.g., Input 0 → Output 10–15)
• Drag the top-right white point down slightly (e.g., Input 255 → Output 245)
• Optional: Add a tiny S-curve for midtone contrast.

2. RNI All Films 5 - "Kodak Portra 160" emulation

• Best for: Wedding photographers.
• Vibe: Classic film softness. Pastel skin tones with lifted shadows.
• Why it works: It replicates the exact softness of analog film, not digital fakery.

3. HSL / Color Mixer

Goal: Soft pastel skin tones & muted environmental colors.

| Hue | Saturation | Luminance | |-----|------------|------------| | Red | -5 | +10 | | Orange | -5 | -10 | +15 | | Yellow | -10 | -15 | +10 | | Green | 0 | -20 | -5 | | Aqua | 0 | -15 | +5 | | Blue | 0 | -15 | +5 | | Purple | 0 | -10 | 0 | | Magenta | 0 | -10 | 0 |

Color Grading

Soft presets usually inject a warm pastel tone. The shadows will often have a touch of Teal or Mint Green, while the highlights get a splash of Orange or Peach. This teal-orange split toning (muted) is what creates that "fairy tale" atmosphere.

How to Create a Soft & Dreamy Preset in Lightroom (Step by Step)

Start with a well-exposed raw photo (backlit or soft light works best).