One of my favorite effects in Photoshop plug-ins is the Tonal Contrast effect. onOne Software’s Perfect Effects has it, and Nik has it as well. But I know that lots of people still don’t use 3rd party plug-ins, so I set out to try to recreate the effect in Lightroom. After trying a bunch of different combinations I think I came pretty close.
Now, there’s definitely something in the “special sauce” that the plug-in companies use. So if you have the plug-ins (or are thinking of getting one), I’d still use them. Given the choice, I’d use the Perfect Effects Tonal Contrast effect before I’d ever use the one that I have here. But for those that don’t, this is a great alternative to help get that gritty/edgy/contrasty look right in Lightroom. Plus, as you can see below, it works on all kinds of photos – from portraits to travel to just about anything. As usual, there’s 3 different versions (Light, Medium, Strong).
NOTE: I’m going to put my usual HDR disclaimer here too, because I find that tonal contrast effects have a similar HDR-ish feel to them. So, here goes: If HDR (or tonal contrast) is the kind of thing that incites anger and criticism from you, then these presets aren’t for you. Don’t download, don’t try them out and don’t leave a negative comment on how HDR (or tonal contrast) is bastardizing photography and how everyone that uses it is a horrible person 😉
Here’s a few samples. You really have to try the presets out though, since they don’t show up as well when the images are small.
The preset downloads for Lightroom 4 are below (I made them for LR4. You can try them in LR3 but they’re tuned for LR4 specifically):
- Click here to download the Lightroom Tonal Contrast Effect Presets.
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Hope you enjoy. Have a good one!
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
Wow nice
are these still available for free ?
the link is bad
Open link in new card.
Are these free presets no longer available as the link appears to be broken
🙁
I really like them too. Everything in moderation, so don’t go cracy with the contrast and you’ll be fine.
My absolute favorite Preset! I’ve been using it consistently for a couple of years–just wanted to take a minute to say thank you so much!
This type of preset isn’t for all photography styles, if people understood that, it wouldn’t be getting such a bad rap. thanks for the presets and the work you do.
Does this work with Lightroom CC?
Thanks!
Laura D. Trucano-Harp
Matt, Signed up for your class and downloaded the Presets. I have Lightroom 5.7.1 64 bit and when I try to import them in Lightroom crashes like a big dog!! Can you help! Thanks
John Tillard, Spring Hill, Fl
Matt,
Thank you ever so much. I particularly like the way it’s worked on the bottom photo. To me, it gives more life to the area of focus.
Thank you. I’m trying to continue to learn ON.
Matt, I think I found them in my downloads file. The way LR opened with some pictures showing that have nothing to do with the presets was confusing. I think I will be OK.
OK good! 🙂
I clicked on the link for downloading the presets, and my LR program opened with the import dialogue. But I cannot see anything to download. Where do I look for the presets?
Will this work in LR5?
Yep they’ll work just fine.
Thank you.
Thank you very much!
Thanks!!
Thanks Matt!
You know what would be great Matt, to add to your narrative about the preset what changes it makes in the Develop module. I usually download the preset and dissect it to see what you are doing to achieve the look. Lots of good information in reverse engineering it. I can tell from looking at the before and afters that you’re pushing the clarity a lot and some smaller changes, maybe to the contrast and blacks & whites. just my suggestion. 🙂
You told me I could download a free plug in wirelessly of course !
awesome, thanks for posting and sharing! Looking forward to trying this out…
Thank you, Matt! They look great for that gritty look.
Is there any easy way to update the old presets you’ve developed for earlier versions of Lightroom. I’ve collected so many that I can’t tell what was designed for LR2, LR3, and LR4. Now many look weird and some look OK. Can you offer a solution? Thanks!
Thank you so much, Matt – it’s fantastic! :o)
thanks Matt. I have been going through your book on PS composites. Great book and these presets are excellent. We dont have too many experts in LR here, so I am trying to teach myself and these are an asset in that learning process.
Those are very neat. Thanks for doing them and sharing with the rest of us.
thank You
Matt, I always really enjoy your presets. Sometimes I have something similar and sometimes, you show me something totally new! I’ve also now started teaching some basic photography classes in my community and may start to introduce them to Lightroom for Post Processing. Again, you always have great information!
Thank Matt, I really like this effect, especially on sports photos.