To exit the Soft Proofing panel, simply tap ‘S’ on your keyboard, or uncheck the Soft Proofing checkbox. So carefully compare the ‘master’ image to its ‘proof preview, then make adjustments to the proof until it looks identical to the master photo.
See also: How to Soften Skin in Lightroom Once you’ve finished this step, then you’ll have a file that can be printed with good results. Now it’s time to make your proof preview match the original photo. This is useful for the next step: 7. Adjust the Virtual Copy When you make adjustments in the rest of the Develop module panels, they will only be reflected in the right (proof preview) window, and not in the left (master) window. Note that this will allow you to compare the soft proof to the “master” photo. This includes a Before/After view, which you can activate by tapping the ‘YY’ button: Next to the soft-proofing button, you can find the different view options. 6. Enter the Before & After Mode By Clicking the ‘YY’ Button So make sure that it gets checked otherwise, you’ll end up with an inaccurate proof. Make sure you are in the Develop Module.Īlternatively, you can check the Soft Proofing checkbox at the bottom of the image: To do this, simply tap ‘S’ on your keyboard. 1. Activate Soft Proofingįirst, you need to activate the Lightroom soft-proofing option. Lightroom Soft Proofing: A Step-By-Step WorkflowĪnd in this section, I’m going to take you through the soft-proofing steps, so that you can quickly soft proof photos whenever you need. Read also: Top Lightroom Keyboard ShortcutsĪlso useful is the ability to see the proof side-by-side with the original, so you can make changes on the spot. What’s especially impressive about Lightroom’s soft-proofing panel is you can simulate a wide variety of paper and print combinations that way, you can accurately soft-proof your prints for a range of possible situations. With Lightroom’s soft proofing option, you can quickly detect any unexpected differences in color or tones, then make the necessary changes to achieve the print you envisioned. Lightroom soft proofing is the method of virtually reviewing how a print will look, prior to actually printing. In photography, they’re a great method of determining how your print will turn out, without requiring the time or (sometimes) money needed to make a hard proof. Whereas soft proofs are digital they’re meant to mimic the results you’d get from a hard proof, but on a monitor. For instance, if you plan on ordering 100 wall-sized prints from a printing company, the company will offer you a few small hard proofs, which you can use to correct errors. You can hold them in your hands, and use them to know how your final copies will turn out (if left unadjusted). In digital imaging, there are two types of proofs: Make sense? Soft Proofing vs Hard Proofing This allows for a color check prior to printing, say, a 20 x 30 canvas print for your wall. Read also: How to Move Lightroom to a New Computerīecause different papers and printers give different looks to your photos–so, if you’re not careful, you’ll end up with a print that doesn’t match your monitor and is no longer up to your standards.įor instance, one printer and paper combination may slightly desaturate your print another might decrease contrast, another might be unable to render dark tones without clipping, etc.īut instead of just hitting the Print button and hoping that everything turns out okay, photographers rely on the proofing process. In digital imaging, color proofing specifically involves checking the colors of a print before you spend on printing. Proofing is all about checking the accuracy and quality of a piece– before creating the final result. What Is Color Proofing in Digital Imaging? So if you’re ready to discover everything you need to know about soft proofing, then let’s get started.