Local Adjustments and Masks: Targeted Editing for Precision Control
(Foundational Tutorial Series — Lesson 4)
By now, you’ve learned how Lightroom’s global adjustments affect the entire image. But not every edit needs to be applied everywhere. Sometimes you just want to brighten a foreground, darken a sky, or bring out detail in a specific area. That’s where local adjustments come in.
Lightroom Classic offers several masking tools — Brush, Linear Gradient, Radial Gradient, and AI-powered options like Select Subject and Select Sky. These let you make precise, localized changes without leaving Lightroom or jumping into Photoshop.
This lesson introduces how masking works, when to use it, and a few foundational techniques for shaping light, color, and focus in your photos.
Understanding the Basics of Masks
A mask tells Lightroom where to apply an edit.
- Global adjustments affect the entire image.
- Local adjustments affect only the masked area.
Each mask can include multiple regions or be combined with others. You can Add, Subtract, or Intersect masks to target areas with precision — but it all starts with understanding how to see what you’re doing.
Opening the Masking Panel
In the Develop module, click the Masking icon (a circle with dotted lines) above the Basic panel, or press Shift + W.
The Masking Panel appears on the right side, showing all available tools — Brush, Linear Gradient, Radial Gradient, and AI-powered selections.
Visualizing Masks with Overlays
When you create a new mask, Lightroom highlights the selected area using a colored overlay (red by default). This overlay doesn’t affect your photo — it’s just a visual guide that shows where your edit will apply.
Overlay shortcuts:
- O = toggle overlay on/off.
- Shift + O = cycle overlay colors (red, green, white, black).
- Hover over a mask’s name to preview its coverage.
Overlays are especially useful when masks overlap or when you’re fine-tuning small areas. Think of them as “training wheels” for masking — they help you visualize changes until the process feels natural.
How Masks Behave
- Each mask contains its own adjustments, completely independent from global edits.
- You can create multiple masks, and each can include several components (for example, a gradient plus a brush).
- Toggle visibility anytime with the eye icon beside the mask name.
Being able to see and control where your edits apply is what makes masking so powerful. Once you’re comfortable with overlays and visibility controls, the process becomes intuitive rather than technical.
Mask Types and When to Use Them
Lightroom offers several masking tools, each serving a different purpose. Knowing which to use — and when — keeps your workflow simple and effective.
1. Brush
Paint adjustments directly onto your photo for maximum control.
- Adjust Size, Feather, and Flow to control precision.
- Low Flow + High Feather = soft, buildable edits.
- Hold Alt/Option to erase mistakes.
Use for brightening faces, darkening distractions, or enhancing detail.
2. Linear Gradient
Applies a smooth transition from one edge of the frame to another — ideal for skies or directional light.
- Click and drag to apply; a longer drag means a softer fade.
- Hold Shift for perfectly vertical or horizontal gradients.
- Rotate by dragging near the center line.
Use for darkening skies or creating subtle light falloff.
3. Radial Gradient
Creates an oval or circular adjustment area.
- Invert the mask to affect inside or outside the circle.
- Keep Feather high (70–100) for smooth blending.
Use for natural vignettes or gentle spotlights around your subject.
4. AI-Powered Selections
Lightroom’s AI tools detect and isolate common elements automatically.
- Select Subject, Select Sky, Select Background, and Select People handle most common tasks in seconds.
- You can refine them with Add/Subtract for extra control.
Use for quick, accurate edits to skies, people, or foregrounds.
5. Range Masks (Color & Luminance)
Target adjustments by tone or color.
- Color Range: select specific hues (like blue skies).
- Luminance Range: select brightness values (like highlights only).
Use for subtle tonal corrections that global sliders can’t isolate.
Combining Masks: Add, Subtract, and Intersect
Refine any mask using these three operations:
- Add — expand the selection (e.g., Add → Brush to include missing areas).
- Subtract — remove unwanted sections (e.g., Subtract → Brush to clean edges).
- Intersect — apply two masks only where they overlap (e.g., Intersect → Luminance Range on a Select Sky mask).
Each new operation creates a “sub-mask” beneath the main one, all non-destructive and reversible. Combined masks turn Lightroom’s masking system into a true precision-editing toolkit.
Practical Workflow for Local Adjustments
A consistent process keeps your masks clean and purposeful.
1. Start with Global Adjustments
Set exposure, white balance, and tonal balance first. Local edits work best as refinements, not fixes.
2. Identify the Problem or Opportunity
Ask what needs attention — a bright sky, dark foreground, distracting hotspot, or detail that could use subtle enhancement. Every mask should serve a purpose.
3. Choose the Right Tool
Use the simplest tool for the job:
Brush = precision
Linear Gradient = directional light
Radial Gradient = focus/vignette
AI = speed
Range Masks = fine control
Start broad and refine with Add/Subtract as needed.
4. Apply and Refine
- Press O to view overlay coverage.
- Adjust sliders — exposure, contrast, clarity, color.
- Use low Flow for subtle, layered control.
- Add/Subtract/Intersect to refine edges.
Everything remains editable and non-destructive.
5. Rename and Organize Masks
Double-click to rename (e.g., Darken Sky). Collapse inactive masks, and toggle visibility with the eye icon. Organization saves time on revisits.
6. Review Your Work
Toggle masks on/off to compare impact.
Ask: Does it look natural? Does it serve the image?
Use \ (Before/After) or Y (side-by-side) to evaluate subtlety.
Common Masking Mistakes to Avoid
- Too Many Masks — Simplify; overlapping effects look harsh.
- Hard Edges — High Feather + Low Flow prevent halos.
- Ignoring Overlays — Always check coverage with O.
- Overdone Exposure Changes — Keep local light believable.
- Unlabeled Masks — Name and collapse to stay organized.
Practical Examples
1. Darkening a Sky with Linear Gradient
- Mask → Linear Gradient → drag downward.
- Lower Exposure (–0.3 to –0.7).
- Reduce Highlights, add Dehaze.
- Rotate to match horizon if needed.
2. Brightening a Foreground with Brush
- Select Brush; Feather ≈ 80.
- Paint darker foreground areas.
- Raise Exposure (+0.3–0.5) and Shadows.
- Add Texture or Clarity for detail.
- Hold Alt/Option to erase spills.
3. Creating a Natural Vignette with Radial Gradient
- Mask → Radial Gradient → drag around subject.
- Invert to affect outside area.
- Lower Exposure (–0.3–0.5).
- Feather 80–100 for smooth fade.
- Or invert to brighten subject for spotlight effect.
4. Using AI Masks for Speed
Sky: Mask → Select Sky → Lower Exposure/Highlights.
Subject: Mask → Select Subject → Lift Exposure (+0.3) and Clarity.
Check overlay (O) to verify edges; refine with Subtract → Brush if needed.
5. Combining Masks for Directional Light
- Create a Linear Gradient angled across the scene.
- Add → Brush to enhance light on specific areas.
- Adjust Exposure, Warmth, or Clarity to mimic natural light flow.
Use sparingly — enhance existing light, don’t invent it.
My Workflow Tip
When it comes to masking, I keep things simple. The goal isn’t to re-light a scene; it’s to guide the viewer’s eye naturally. A few small, purposeful adjustments do far more than several heavy ones.
My preferred local edits are quick and intentional. If I spend too long forcing a mask to work, I move on and revisit later. A fresh look almost always reveals the simpler solution.
I often create Virtual Copies when testing ideas — one with stronger light direction, another with softer balance. Comparing them side by side helps me decide which supports the mood I want.
The key is restraint: local adjustments should support your composition, not compete with it. Used thoughtfully, they help the photo tell its story — not rewrite it.
Conclusion
Local adjustments are where Lightroom starts to feel personal. They let you emphasize what matters most — the light, color, and detail that drew you to the scene.
The goal isn’t perfection everywhere; it’s guiding the viewer’s attention and bringing balance to the composition. Small refinements like a gradient on the sky, a lifted foreground, or a soft vignette all work together to shape your image’s story.
By combining Brush, Gradients, AI selections, and Range Masks, you can fine-tune light and tone with precision while keeping your edits natural and believable.
Up next: Lesson 5 – Color and Tone Refinement, where we’ll explore the Tone Curve, HSL panel, and Color Grading tools to add mood and depth to your final images.