Low contrast editing can help create a washed out feel that preserves detail with subtle shifts in hue and tone. If you want to balance out harsh, contrasty light or a new look to try, these three tips show different approaches to creating low contrast looks of your own.

The Valence (V1–V8) preset pack was made with low contrast in mind. Each one has a unique tone and feel, often adding a soft, colored tint to images. V1 creates a cool blue look, V4 is pink, and V8 adds warmer tones. If you want something more subtle, try starting with V5, or reduce the strength of a preset by tapping it again after applying it to an image.

The Contrast tool is an obvious choice for experimenting with these looks. Try reducing Contrast a little at a time and combine it with the Tone tool. Try to preserve as much detail as you can in both the dark and bright areas.

The Tone tool gives you control over both shadows and highlights. Low contrast images are known for maintaining detail across both bright highlights, as well as dark shadows. Incrementally increasing these sliders can help save these areas of detail.

If you want a low contrast look that is reminiscent of vintage film, using Character and Film X is your best bet. By using the tools mentioned before in conjunction with reduced Character, you can achieve unique low contrast looks. To access Character, tap on a Film X preset again after applying it to an image. For this approach, try starting with FS1 (Fuji Superia 100) or KP3 (Kodak Portra 160VC).