TL;DR: To create a porcelain-friendly Lightroom Mobile preset for iPhone portraits, buy a matte or satin-finish porcelain product (avoid high-gloss glazes), photograph it in soft window light, then dial in reduced clarity, lifted shadows, and subtle split toning. Save those edits as a preset, and apply them to any portrait where porcelain skin tones, ceramics, or fine china props are the focus.
Step 1: Choose the Right Porcelain Product First
Presets cannot fix a bad porcelain surface. For portraits that include porcelain — whether a teacup, a vase, or a figurine — buy matte, satin, or bisque porcelain. High-gloss glazes blow out highlights on iPhone sensors. Look for brands like Royal Copenhagen (matte finishes), Wedgwood’s Jasperware, or affordable bisque dolls from thrift shops. If you are buying new, check product listings for “unglazed,” “matte glaze,” or “soft-paste.”
If you want to dig deeper, check out our guide on 1. **Porcelain Buying Guide for Business: Smart Tips** (50)
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Step 2: Shoot the Portrait in Soft Light
Place your subject near a north-facing window. Avoid direct sun. If the porcelain prop has any shine, angle it away from the light source. On iPhone, tap and hold to lock exposure on the porcelain’s mid-tone. Lower exposure by -0.3 to -0.7. This preserves detail in white porcelain without making skin muddy.
Step 3: Open Lightroom Mobile and Import
Launch Lightroom Mobile (free version works). Tap “Add Photo” and select your portrait. Go to the Light panel. Reduce Highlights to -40. Increase Shadows to +25. This recovers blown porcelain edges while keeping eyes and hair dark.
Step 4: Adjust Color for Porcelain Tones
Go to Color > Mix. Select the Orange channel (controls skin and warm porcelain). Reduce Saturation to -10 and Luminance to +15. This makes porcelain look creamy, not orange. For blue-and-white porcelain, select Blue and increase Luminance to +10. Avoid oversaturating blues — they turn electric.
Step 5: Add Texture and Clarity Carefully
Porcelain is smooth. Too much Clarity makes it look plastic. Set Clarity to -5 and Texture to +5. Dehaze at +3 if your shot is flat. Never exceed +10 on any of these for porcelain portraits.
Step 6: Split Tone for a Ceramic Glow
In Color > Color Grading, add a soft highlight tint: Hue 40 (warm gold), Saturation 8. Add a shadow tint: Hue 220 (cool blue), Saturation 5. This mimics the natural reflection of porcelain under window light.
Step 7: Save and Apply as a Preset
Tap the Presets icon (bottom right). Tap the three dots > Create Preset. Name it “Porcelain Portrait iPhone.” Check all boxes. Now apply it to other portraits. For darker skin tones, reduce Orange Luminance to +5 instead of +15.
Tips for Buying Porcelain Props
Buy small, unglazed teacups or saucers from estate sales. Avoid mass-market glossy mugs. Test any porcelain under the same window light before using it in a paid shoot. A $5 matte saucer beats a $50 glossy vase for iPhone portraits.
FAQ
Q: Can I use this preset on porcelain product photos without people?
A: Yes, but reduce Orange Luminance to 0 and increase Texture to +10 to keep ceramic details sharp.
Q: What porcelain brands work best for iPhone portrait props?
A: Matte or bisque finishes from Royal Copenhagen, Wedgwood Jasperware, or unmarked vintage bisque dolls. Avoid glossy china like standard fine bone china.
Q: Do I need the paid version of Lightroom Mobile?</
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