How to Create Moody Black & White Portraits in Lightroom

Tristan in my Studio

Introduction:

There’s something special about black and white portraits—they strip everything back to emotion and mood.

In this video, I’m sharing how I edit my images in Lightroom to create that bold, moody look.

I’ll show you how I use my own presets for a filmic feel and how you can get similar results with simple Lightroom tools.

I’ll also cover a bit of Photoshop work to clean up and extend backgrounds.

A Note About My Advanced Lightroom Presets & Profiles:

Love the photos you see here? Using my Mullins Film Edition Three Lightroom presets, you can achieve the same rich, moody tones and timeless black-and-white edits with just one click.

They are designed for photographers who want that bold, filmic look without the hassle. 10% Off with Code: YT10

Contents Overview:

1. Introduction to Moody Black & White Editing

   • Why black and white portraits hold timeless appeal

   • Tools used: Lightroom and Photoshop

2. Starting with the Basics: Exposure and Cropping

   • Correcting exposure and straightening images

   • Cleaning up distractions without relying on AI or Photoshop

3. Using Custom Lightroom Presets

   • Demonstrating Mullins Film Edition Three presets

   • Highlighting the Arizona Film look for warm monochrome tones

   • Adjusting grain, clarity, and vignette for a filmic effect

4. Manual Editing in Lightroom (No Presets Needed!)

   • How to achieve a bold, contrasty look using tone curves and clarity

   • Step-by-step adjustments with HSL and colour grading

   • Adding subtle warmth and grain for depth

5. Photoshop for Background Extension

   • Using Photoshop's AI-powered Generative Fill to extend backgrounds

   • Fixing clutter and enhancing composition without over-editing

6. Final Touches for Cohesion

   • Comparing edits with and without presets

   • Refining highlights and shadows for consistency across images

Final Thoughts:

Experimenting with different editing styles is key to developing your creative vision.

Whether you prefer using presets for a quick, consistent look or enjoy tweaking every detail manually, I love using Lightroom, as it gives you full control.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Build Your Photography Website with Squarespace

I’ve been using Squarespace for years to manage my photography websites, and it’s the platform I always recommend.

With their all-in-one system, it’s easy to create a professional, personalised website without needing to know any code.

Whether you're selling prints, digital products, or services, Squarespace has the tools to run your business smoothly—like online stores and appointment scheduling.

If you’re ready to build or refresh your website, head over to Squarespace.com/KevinMullins for 10% off your first website or domain.