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How to edit a portrait naturally

A good portrait edit is one nobody notices. Light the face, keep the skin real, and let the background step back.

Intermediate7 min

Portrait in golden hour, as shot: the raw file before editing
Portrait in golden hour, edited in LightBites

Drag across the photo to compare.Download the raw file and settings

  1. Step 1

    Light the face

    Settings

    Light
    Exposure
    +0.20
    Highlights
    −25
    Shadows
    +20
    Contrast
    −5
    The Light group set for the face
    Step 1: Light the face
    The Light group set for the face
    Step 1: Light the face

  2. Step 2

    Even out the skin tones

    Settings

    Color Mixer
    Orange Saturation
    −8
    Orange Luminance
    +8
    Red Saturation
    −5
    The Color Mixer with orange saturation lowered and its luminance raised
    Step 2: Even out the skin tones
    The Color Mixer with orange saturation lowered and its luminance raised
    Step 2: Even out the skin tones

  3. Step 3

    Make the subject stand out

    Settings

    Masking
    New mask
    Select Subject
    Mask: Select Subject
    Exposure
    +0.20
    Texture
    −15
    Clarity
    −5
    The subject selected, brightened and softened
    Step 3: Make the subject stand out
    The subject selected, brightened and softened
    Step 3: Make the subject stand out

  4. Step 4

    Let the background step back

    Settings

    Masking
    New mask
    Select Background
    Mask: Select Background
    Exposure
    −0.30
    Saturation
    −12
    Clarity
    −15
    The background selected and darkened behind the subject
    Step 4: Let the background step back
    The background selected and darkened behind the subject
    Step 4: Let the background step back

  5. Step 5

    Finish with a soft vignette

    Settings

    Effects
    Vignette
    −14
    Color
    Vibrance
    +8
    The finished portrait with a soft vignette
    Step 5: Finish with a soft vignette
    The finished portrait with a soft vignette
    Step 5: Finish with a soft vignette

The whole edit

Every setting from the steps above, in order. On another photo, treat them as a starting point: a different light needs different numbers.

Light
Exposure
+0.20
Highlights
−25
Shadows
+20
Contrast
−5
Color Mixer
Orange Saturation
−8
Orange Luminance
+8
Red Saturation
−5
Masking
New mask
Select Subject
Mask: Select Subject
Exposure
+0.20
Texture
−15
Clarity
−5
Masking
New mask
Select Background
Mask: Select Background
Exposure
−0.30
Saturation
−12
Clarity
−15
Effects
Vignette
−14
Color
Vibrance
+8

Follow along with the same photo

Download the raw file and edit it yourself with the steps above, then compare with the finished edit.

  • Raw photo

    Sony ZV-E10 · ARW

  • Preset

    “Natural Portrait”, the edit for any photo (without the crop and masks)

  • Finished edit

    XMP sidecar: every setting, the crop and the masks

Edit it from the start

Compare with the finished edit

Photo: Portrait in golden hour by pu.photograph (discuss.pixls.us) · CC BY-SA 4.0

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