Create a matt look in Adobe Lightroom - how it works

This practical tip shows you how to create an interesting matt look on your images in Adobe Lightroom.

Matt look in pictures - how it works

• A matt look in photos is basically achieved by reducing the contrast and thus neutralizing the lightest and darkest areas in the image.
• Especially the very black areas in the picture are crucial: If these are completely replaced by dark gray tones, the photo immediately appears matted.

Create a matt look in Adobe Lightroom

In Lightroom you can easily achieve this effect with the gradation curve.

1. To do this, open a photo in "Develop" mode in Lightroom.
2. Scroll down to the gradation curve in the toolbar on the right. Click on the symbol behind "Point curve: Linear" to change the mode.
3. The diagram shows the brightness in the image - the black or dark areas on the left and the white or light areas on the right. With the curve you can shift this distribution in the picture.
4. Click once on the curve in the left area to create a control point. You can use our screenshot as a guide.
5. Now drag the point at the bottom left with the mouse a little upwards. You can observe how the contrast in the image decreases and a matt look is created.
6. Experiment with the positions of the control points until you are satisfied with the result.

This guide applies to Adobe Lightroom 4.4 on Windows 8.1. In another article we show how you can create exciting color effects by partial toning in Lightroom.