Masking in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw - with Nigel French

Nigel French joins to give a series of 4 60-70 minute sessions, each focussing on areas which people in the community have expressed an interest in improving their knowledge of! I'm so very pleased that Nigel is part of the Camversation community and has been a supporter now for a long time. He has expertise in Photography, design and typology - having several books published on these subjects.

Have a look at some of Nigel's work: https://www.nigelfrench.com/

These can all be purchased individually as they are standalone sessions:

Session 1: 21st December 2024 Working Smart (link: https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/working-smart-with-nigel-french)

Session 2: 18th January 2024 Masking in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom (link:https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/masking-in-lightroom-and-adobe-camera-raw-with-nigel-french)

Session 3: 15th February 2024 No Pixels Harmed (link: https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/no-pixels-harmed-with-nigel-french)

Session 4: 1st March 2024 The Power of 10 (link: https://www.camversation.co.uk/event-details/the-power-of-10-with-nigel-french)

Masking in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw

Harness the power of masking in Lightroom Classic and Adobe Camera Raw

Masking in Lightroom and Adobe Camera RAW is a technique that allows photographers to selectively apply adjustments to specific areas of an image, rather than affecting the entire photograph. This approach is particularly valuable because it provides a higher level of control over the final appearance of an image, enabling people to enhance/edit specific details.

When editing a landscape photograph, a photographer might want to brighten the foreground while keeping the sky’s colours intact. By using masking tools, they can create a mask that targets only the foreground, applying adjustments like exposure and contrast without altering the sky. This selective editing can lead to a more balanced and visually appealing composition. The same could also be said for portrait photography, where a photographer may wish to smooth skin tones or sharpen the eyes without impacting the surrounding areas. By employing masking techniques, they can apply skin retouching selectively, ensuring that the subject's natural features are highlighted while maintaining a realistic appearance. This precision is crucial in professional photography, where the goal is often to create images that look polished yet authentic.

Using masks also allows for intricate adjustments that can change the mood or atmosphere of an image. For instance, a photographer might want to create a moody, dramatic effect by darkening certain areas of the image while keeping others bright. By using gradient masks or brush tools in Lightroom or Adobe Camera RAW, they can achieve this effect seamlessly, guiding the viewer's eye to the intended focal points within the composition.

The use of masking can streamline the editing process. Instead of applying global adjustments that might require later refinements, photographers can make targeted changes from the outset. This approach not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of introducing unwanted artifacts, errors or inconsistencies in the final image.

These talks will be recorded and made available for FOUR weeks after the event.

Example images will be available to support this workshop.

A hand-out to support the workshop will be available.