“What is soft proofing in adobe lightroom?” This question pops up in almost every photographer’s mind, and we are here with answers. Let us first find out what soft proofing is and next move on to step by step process of doing it.
What Actually Is Soft Proofing?
It is a process of simulating your photos using a software to know how your photo will look after printing. This is a feature that helps you examine or soft proof your resultant image on the computer screen. This way, you know what to expect before printing. It is of benefit because of several reasons:
- There is a possibility of wasting a lot of time trying to match your print to the computer display.
- The photo prints do not look like the ones you saw on your monitor without a particular element of adjustment.
- The amount of adjustment depends on your image, the printer in use, the ink in it and the paper choice. You won’t be able to get the combination of these variables right without proper soft proofing of your image.
Soft proofing helps you to foresee the accurate print. Your image will have similar color and contrast to what you see on the computer screen. Lightroom for soft proofing has several features to help you produce the best images.
Step By Step Process of Soft Proofing an Image on Adobe Lightroom
Soft proof your clicks with these simple steps:
1. Activate Soft Proofing
The primary step is activating the Lightroom soft-proofing option. You can do this by simply tapping ‘S’ on the keyboard. You have to make sure that you are in the development module.
2. Create a Virtual Copy
You will now make a virtual copy of your selected image. So, just click on create proof copy option in the soft proofing panel to do this.
What is a virtual copy? It is an identical version of your selected picture
3. Select the Profile Matching The Printer and Paper
You would not want to skip or be reckless with this step as you may end up with inaccurate soft proofing in adobe lightroom.
As you already know, various printers and paper create vast varying results; therefore, make sure that you choose the right printer/paper combo before getting on with the proofing process.
4. Your Intent
Your intent informs adobe lightroom on how much to adjust your print as a response to color troubles.
5. Check the Simulate Paper & Ink Checkbox
The “Simulate Paper & Ink checkbox” guarantees that soft proof lighting shows results mimicking the effect of the paper and ink on your file.
6. Entering Before & After Mode – Click the ‘YY’ Button
You have different view options right next to the soft-proofing button; which includes a before/after view as well, which is activated by clicking on the ‘YY’ button:
This option lets you compare the soft proof image to the “master” or “original” photo. When there is a need of adjustments in the other develop module panels, the reflection will only be shown on the right-proof preview window, and not in the left–master window.
7. Adjust the Virtual Copy
Finally, now you make your lightroom proof preview match the original picture. Once you are done with this step, you can print the file for accurate results.
Time To Turn Off Soft Proofing in Adobe Lightroom
Once you finish the last step and get the prints, exit the soft proofing panel. Either tap ‘S’ from your keyboard or uncheck the Soft Proofing checkbox.