Workshop Brief: Mastering Masks in Adobe Lightroom

Mastering Masks in Lightroom: Selective Edits for Creative Control

Date: 13th November 

Time: 7-9pm

Duration:
2 hours

Workshop Overview:
This workshop will guide participants through the creation and use of masks in Adobe Lightroom. They will learn how to make selective adjustments to specific areas of an image using tools like the Brush, Linear Gradient, Radial Gradient, and AI-powered Select Subject/Sky. The session will be hands-on, providing participants with the knowledge and techniques to take their editing precision to the next level.

Target Audience:
Photographers (beginner to intermediate) looking to improve their selective editing skills in Lightroom, allowing for greater creative control over their images.

Workshop Agenda:1. Introduction to Masks in Lightroom (10 minutes)

• What are Masks?
  • Explanation of masks as a tool for selective adjustments in specific areas of an image.
  • Why use masks? Enhance areas like skies, portraits, or subjects without affecting the whole image.
• Overview of Masking Tools in Lightroom:
  • Brush Tool
  • Linear Gradient
  • Radial Gradient
  • AI-powered Select Subject and Select Sky

2. Using the Brush Tool for Masking (25 minutes)

• Introduction to the Brush Tool:
  • Live Demo: Selecting the Brush tool, adjusting brush size, feather, flow, and density.
  • Hands-on Practice: Participants apply the Brush tool to make selective adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color in an image.
• Feathering and Refining Brush Masks:
  • Explanation of feathering for smoother transitions between masked and unmasked areas.
  • Live Demo: Adjusting brush feather, flow, and using the Erase mode to refine edges.
• Auto Mask Feature:
  • Live Demo: Use the Auto Mask option for more accurate selections (e.g., keeping adjustments within a specific area like a subject's face).

3. Using Linear and Radial Gradients for Masking (25 minutes)

• Linear Gradient Mask:
  • Live Demo: Applying a Linear Gradient to adjust skies, landscapes, or light fall-off.
  • Adjusting the direction and strength of the gradient for smooth or subtle transitions.
  • Hands-on Practice: Participants use the Linear Gradient on their own images, adjusting exposure, clarity, or temperature.
• Radial Gradient Mask:
  • Live Demo: Creating a Radial Gradient to make localized adjustments to circular or elliptical areas (e.g., vignettes or spotlighting a subject).
  • Adjusting the size, feathering, and inverting the radial mask.
  • Hands-on Practice: Participants apply a Radial Gradient to enhance a portrait or focus on a specific object.

4. AI-powered Masking: Select Subject and Select Sky (25 minutes)

• Select Subject:
  • Live Demo: Using Lightroom’s AI-powered Select Subject to automatically identify and mask the subject in an image.
  • Refining the mask with the brush or eraser tool if needed.
  • Hands-on Practice: Participants apply Select Subject on their own images and adjust exposure, texture, or clarity.
• Select Sky:
  • Live Demo: Applying the Select Sky feature to isolate and enhance the sky in landscape photos.
  • Adjusting the sky’s exposure, contrast, or color to create dramatic effects.
  • Hands-on Practice: Participants use Select Sky and make adjustments like enhancing sunsets or blue skies.

5. Combining Multiple Masks & Advanced Masking Techniques (15 minutes)

• Combining Multiple Masks:
  • Live Demo: Using more than one mask on different parts of an image (e.g., Select Sky + Linear Gradient for more precise control).
  • Applying selective adjustments like darkening the sky while enhancing foreground contrast.
• Refining Mask Edges & Mask Intersections:
  • Live Demo: Using intersection options and refining edges for smoother transitions between masked areas.
  • Masking for complex scenes (e.g., backlit portraits or uneven lighting).

6. Recap & Q&A (15 minutes)

• Recap of Key Masking Techniques:
  • Recap of the different masking tools and their applications.
  • Review of combining masks for more creative control.
• Open Q&A:
  • Participants can ask questions, clarify techniques, or request specific mask demonstrations.
• Final Hands-on Practice:
  • Time for participants to practice creating masks on their own images, with feedback from the instructor.

Workshop Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Use Brush, Linear, and Radial Gradients to apply selective adjustments.
• Apply AI-powered Select Subject and Select Sky tools for quick and accurate masking.
• Combine and refine multiple masks to enhance specific parts of an image.
• Master advanced masking techniques to handle more complex lighting or scene compositions.

Materials Needed:

• Laptop with ZOOM

Prerequisites:
Basic understanding of Lightroom's editing tools and experience with basic photo editing.