Lightroom Mobile Masking Tutorial

Lightroom Tutorials  •  Photography Tips  •  Smartphone Photography

For the budding photographer or the photo enthusiast, the journey of capturing a picture doesn’t end with just the click of a camera. It’s the post-production editing that often brings out the true magic in a photo. In this helpful video tutorial, photographer Clifford Pickett from iPhone Editing Academy introduces us to the power of masking in Lightroom Mobile. Here are the essential takeaways from the session:

1. The Might of Masking:

Masking is the selective application of adjustments. It lets you influence specific portions of your image, enabling a targeted approach to photo enhancement. Think of it as the tool that ensures your subject shines while the rest of the image complements it.

2. The Selecting By Subject Tool:

One of the simplest yet most influential tools, this feature automatically detects the subject of your image, making it easy to apply local adjustments, such as adjusting exposure or color balance. It’s like having an AI assistant that knows precisely where to focus.

3. Using Light and Luminosity:

A fundamental principle: the human eye is attracted to the brightest part of a frame. By manipulating exposure and brightness, you can guide your viewer’s attention precisely where you want it.

4. Warm vs. Cool:

Our eyes are also naturally drawn to warmer areas in an image. By adjusting the temperature of your picture, making some areas warmer and others cooler, you create a vivid contrast that adds depth and interest.

5. Adding Texture and Detail:

Texture, clarity, and dehaze are the triad that brings out the finer details in your image. Remember, the objective is to ensure your subject has the clarity and detail to make it pop.

6. The Power of Sharpness:

Sharpness, when used effectively, adds an element of realism. It’s a subtle touch that can make a significant difference, ensuring your primary focus has that extra ‘bite’.

7. Vignette – Directing the Viewer’s Gaze:

A vignette subtly darkens the edges of your image, drawing the viewer’s eye towards the center. It’s a classic technique to enhance focus and depth.

8. Playing with Color:

Color can evoke emotions, tell stories, and enhance the overall mood of your photo. With tools like vibrance, you can elevate the saturation and make your image more visually appealing.

In essence, Pickett’s video sheds light on the transformative power of local adjustments in Lightroom Mobile. It’s a holistic approach, incorporating luminosity contrast, color contrast, and detailed editing to create images that are not just visually stunning but also tell compelling stories.

For those intrigued by the depth and potential of iPhone photo editing, Clifford Pickett’s full iPhone Editing Academy course promises to be an enlightening journey. As always, the magic is not just in the tools but in the hands of the artist wielding them.

New: iPhone Photo Editing Academy (see preview videos)

Pickett, who has edited over 10,000 photos using nothing but his iPhone and sold many to major corporate clients, has crafted this course as an accessible way to master photo editing.

Launch sale ending soon: iPhone Photo Editing Academy at 80% Off