Pastel

Pastel is a preset for photographs that breathe. Contrast is low, shadows are lifted and there is a quiet pink warmth in the highlights. No drama, no deep blacks. Just light that seems to float.

Technically, Pastel pulls the contrast ratio down considerably. Shadows are raised to keep dark areas open without turning grey or dull. The highlights take on a soft warm-pink tone, while the midtones feel light and almost milky. Saturation is restrained, not removed. Colors are still present, they just speak quietly.

This preset works best with light skin and natural light. Think portraits in overcast daylight, or indoors near a window. A woman in a pale dress. A child in the morning. Pastel-colored backgrounds strengthen the effect, but they are not required. City scenes with open sky and few hard shadows also suit it well, like street photography on a cloudy afternoon.

You reach for Pastel when you want a photograph that feels soft without turning sentimental. When you want no strong color contrasts, but still not black and white. When atmosphere matters more than the sharpness of a moment. This preset fits photographers who are drawn to quiet images, to light that does not shout.

Use Pastel as a starting point, then pay attention to exposure. The preset performs best when your image is already exposed on the bright side, a third of a stop over rather than under. If your photo is slightly too dark, raise the Exposure slider gently in Lightroom before making any other adjustments. That way you get the most from the lifted shadows and stay well clear of the grey middle ground.