How to use the new Masking + AI in Lightroom 2022 (Lightroom 12)
Lightroom 2022 new feature Masking (Camera RAW Masking)
With this week’s exciting new features in Photoshop and Lightroom, coming the highly anticipated masking in Lightroom and Camera RAW. Spoiler alert, it works identical in both apps. This tutorial is in Lightroom Classic 2022 )Lightroom 12) but it works for Camera RAW too.
You may have seen the Adobe sneak peek on the masking in Lightroom. This tutorial shows you how to use all the different features so you can get up and running right away.
In the past, there were 3 icons for Brush, Radial and Gradient. Then there were range masking options for each. All of these tools have been combined into the new Masking tool.
Click the masking tool in the Develop Module (or right toolbar in ACR) Â to open the options (the dotted circle)
There are 2 AI powered auto selection tools, similar to in Photoshop. They are select Subject and Select Sky.
Choose Select Subject
Hereis the masking tool in Camera RAW
The truck is selected. Notice a floating mask panel now appears.
You can see the mask has subject selected, thats the select subject.
You can drag the floating panel into the panels to dock it if you like.
Or drag it out to keep it floating.
Lets select everything but the truck, so we can adjust the background separately.
Click on the eclipses and choose invert.
Looking good.
Let’s clean up the selection because some bits got missed like the sign.
Click add and Brush
Brush over the areas to add to the selection.
There are areas selected that shouldn’t’ be such as the headlight on the truck.
This time choose Subtract and choose brush.
Brush away the areas to remove from the mask.
Now when we turn down the exposure everything but the truck darkens and the truck is excluded because of the mask. (Watch the video it will be clear)
Using Multiple masks
Click create new mask to add a second mask
Choose linear gradient.
Drag it to cover the sky
When we darken it, notice it also darkens the top of the truck. That’s bad.
Choose Subtract and Select subject
Notice the truck is now protected from the gradient.
Reduce the brightness to reasonable level and we were able to quickly add a gradient in the sky without affecting everything else.
Intersecting Masks
This could appear confusing to use, but its really easy, let me show you how.
With the image of a woman, choose Radial Gradient.
Drag out the gradient just like we always did before.
Lighten and warm the inside of the oval.
I only want it affecting Callan (The model) and not the background.
Click the ellipses on the mask and Choose intersect with Select Subject,
Notice that only the area when the subject and the Oval overlap get the adjustment.
This new tool opens up a world of possibilities!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial
MASKS IN LIGHTROOM AND CAMERA RAW COURSE
Check out my course on Masking in Lightroom and Camera RAW.
If you want to master these very important image editing tools, check out the course.Â
Photoshop Superguide
- All the top new features in Photoshop 2022
- LIGHTROOM CLASSIC 2022 NEW FEATURES
- Instant Selection with Object Finder
- Check out this important tutorial BEFORE updating
See you at the CAFE
Colin
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Thank you !
Fascinating stuff. You are right there is a lot of material to absorb in one go. Still, an interesting and valuable bideo.
Hi Colin
Very instructive as usual.
Where did all the brush presets go ?
Hi Colin. Found them 🙂
Hi Colin After masking an imaged and displaying on a black background, how do I save that image as it is
Love it, wish I had known 2 days ago for a real estate job I just finished. I think it being in LR will make my life much easier
I have been playing with the new masking since it came out and am very impressed. A long ways from when I began with photoshop.
Your tutorials always clearup or point out things I have missed….thank you.
Hi Colin,
I love your new teaching point regarding using “intersect mask with” to deal with run off from a prior selection. I have seen MATTK and Scott Kelby’s new masking tutorials. Although they are also good teachers like you, neither discuss your valuable teaching point regarding “intersect mask with”. Thanks for your excellent teaching and guidance/Greg Asnis
Hi Colin,
Just finished your video using “intersect mask with” to deal with spill over from other masks selections in the new LR. I have seen a few teaching videos on the new LR feature by some excellent teachers such as MATTK and Scott Kelby but none deal in depth on the new feature of “intersect…” as well as you. Thanks for your excellent teaching/Greg Asnis
Thanks Colin. Your explanation of the new Lightroom features was very helpful…especially after watching it numerous time! Good Job as usual.
Excellent video. Will need to keep it for when I get a chance to apply it.
Is there a way to transfer masks from Lightroom to Photoshop?
Not directly, but they will come through in Camera RAW
Where is the “LIKE” button? Thanks
Its on YouTube
I tried to upgrade to 13.3 but it kept crashing. Now at 13.2 and trying to see what the masks can do and not do. This is a great introduction to the relationships between selections. It’s in English, might take a runthrough or two but I’m getting ideas as I go through my old pics. Thank you!