Image masking is among the most vital functionalities of any picture modifying program. Even although picture masking implementation can range from {photograph} to program, the idea behind the picture masks is similar. Image masks enable us to make use of selective modifying.
Let me clarify.
When analyzing any picture, you’ll be able to see that totally different areas have distinct traits and properties. It is unlikely to use a collection of edits to a complete picture and obtain the specified outcomes. The solely approach to produce professionally-looking pictures is to edit totally different areas of the picture individually utilizing varied instruments and methods.
This is when picture masking comes into play.
Image masing helps us isolate (masks) particular areas of the picture and depart unmasked areas out there for modifying.
What is Image Masking?
Image masking is a vital approach in graphic design and picture modifying, important for duties like compositing and selective modifying. It lets designers and photographers edit solely sure elements of a picture whereas protecting the remainder unchanged. Custom picture masks assist goal particular areas in pictures primarily based on parameters like coloration, brightness, and objects or options equivalent to folks, animals, merchandise, sky, or water.
Image masking has its roots in movie pictures. In the darkroom, photographers used to cowl a part of the picture paper, the one they didn’t wish to be affected by the sunshine coming from the enlarger. The strategy of concealing the world of the picture paper is named masking.
The idea of masking transitioned to digital pictures, however as a substitute of bodily masks, we use digital instruments to guard (masks) or reveal a part of the picture for selective modifying.
Image Masking in Lightroom
When Lightroom was launched in 2007, it didn’t have any picture masking capabilities. The major perform of this system was picture group. You might apply easy edits equivalent to publicity, saturation to your entire picture solely; selective modifying didn’t exist. To use selective modifying with the assistance of picture masks, you needed to change to Photoshop.
Over the years, Adobe launched selective modifying to Lightroom (Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, Radial Filter), nevertheless it was not even near Photoshop’s masking capabilities.
The first massive change occurred in 2018 with the introduction of the superior masking instruments, the Range Mask. With new masking instruments, photographers might selectively goal areas of the picture primarily based on coloration and luminance values. It was large. It modified the best way I edited pictures in Lightroom. It allowed me to carry out 90-95% post-processing in Lightroom, and the necessity for Photoshop declined.
But the implementation of the Range Mask was not best. It had too many limitations. You couldn’t create a picture masks from scratch; you needed to apply Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, or Radial Filter first and create masking after.
And lastly, in October 2021, Adobe launched Lightroom model 11, the place they rebuilt and rearranged adjustment instruments. The most important change was the introduction of a devoted Masking panel. Now, all of the masking instruments reside in a single place, not depending on any explicit instrument.
The modifying workflow is simple now. You create a number of picture masks concentrating on totally different picture areas first. Next, you selectively edit these areas utilizing modifying sliders.
Types of Image Masking in Lightroom
All masking in Lightroom is a non-destructive course of. It signifies that you by no means modify the unique picture, you all the time work on a JPEG preview.
For me picture masking is among the most vital capabilities of Lightroom, I take advantage of it with each picture I edit.
Let’s see what picture masking instruments now we have in Lightroom as we speak.
1. AI Image Masking: Select Subject
Adobe all the time lagged behind the competitors, equivalent to Luminar, with the event instruments powered by synthetic intelligence (AI). But it appears to be like as whether it is beginning to change.
Lightroom launched two new AI instruments, and they’re very efficient.
To masks a picture you merely press the button and the Select Subject AI instrument analyzes the picture and identifies the principle topic; subsequent, it mechanically creates a fairly correct masks.
It is broadly used for eradicating the background.
It is the right companion for portrait and product photographers.
They additionally launched a brand new function, the Invert Mask, a must have for any picture masking instrument. After the principle object is chosen, you invert the masks and goal the background of your picture with modifying instruments.
2. AI Image Masking: Select Sky
The Select Sky performance is just like the Select Subject, however as a substitute of the principle object, it identifies the world of the sky and creates a masks.
When you could masks a sky, you press the button and the AI Select Sky instrument does the remainder.
The Select Sky instrument works quick, and it is rather correct. It is way sooner and extra correct than utilizing the old-school strategy concentrating on the sky with the Brush or Linear Gradient instruments.
Once once more, you’ll be able to invert the masks.
Here is my workflow when utilizing new masking instruments. I click on the Select Sky instrument, and it mechanically creates a picture masks with the sky chosen. Next, I duplicate the masks and invert the choice. Now, I can edit the world of the sky and foreground individually.
Priceless.
It is clear that the Select Sky instrument is the right companion for panorama photographers.
The solely unfavorable I see with the Select Sky instrument is it cannot be used dynamically. I cannot put it aside as a Lightroom preset to generate a picture masks in any chosen picture dynamically.
I hope Adobe improves the performance of the Select Sky sooner or later.
3. Brush Image Mask
The outdated Brush Adjustment instrument is now known as the Brush. It remodeled from an adjustment instrument to a pure masking instrument.
Let me clarify.
When utilizing outdated Brush Adjustment, you possibly can transfer modifying sliders first after which begin portray with the comb over the picture, visually making use of selective edits. With the brand new Brush instrument, you all the time begin with the masks creation. And solely if you find yourself pleased with the masks, you start transferring sliders making use of desired results to the remoted space.
With the introduction of the Select Object and Select Sky AI instruments, the first perform of the Brush instrument in my modifying workflow is masks refining. If I’m not totally pleased with the masks created by the Select Object and Select Sky instruments, I can fine-tune them with the Brush.
4. Linear Gradient Image Mask
The Linear Gradient is a brand new identify for the outdated Graduated Filter instrument. The instrument transformation is just like the Brush instrument. From the adjustment, it remodeled right into a pure masking instrument.
Now, I typically mix the Select Sky with the Linear Gradient concentrating on space of the sky and making the highest of the sky darker.
5. Radial Gradient Image Mask
The Radial Gradient follows the suite of the Brush and Linear Gradient instruments. It has a brand new identify; it’s Radial Gradient now as a substitute of Radial Filter. And it carries masking performance now.
But the best way you utilize it is rather just like the earlier model. The solely distinction right here is as a substitute of 1 circle that signifies the chosen space, there are two. The internal circle signifies the place the opaque space ends, and the gradient begins.
6. Color Range Image Mask
The Color Range masking instrument helps you create masks primarily based on particular coloration values or vary of colours.
Even although I typically used the unique Range Mask, it had too many limitations. First, it was connected to Brush, Linear Gradient, or Radial Gradient instruments, and also you solely might modify the masks created by these instruments. Of course, I had workarounds, nevertheless it felt as if implementation wasn’t well-thought.
Now, nearly all limitations are gone. Both the Color Range and Luminance Range are separated and never depending on any instruments.
Huge enchancment.
I typically use the Color Range masks when modifying the sky space in my landscapes. I goal solely the blue hues of the sky and hold brilliant areas of the clouds protected. And if I edit the sundown picture, I would create a separate Color masks concentrating on solely orange and crimson hues of the sky.
But, it has the identical limitation because the Select Sky picture masks; you’ll be able to’t use it dynamically. At least at this second, it’s not possible to include the Color Range masks creation into Lightroom presets. It solely works with the particular picture.
7. Luminance Range Image Mask
If the Color Range instrument allows you to create a customized masks primarily based on the colour values, then the Luminance Range instrument generates masks primarily based on the brightness (luminance) of the pixels.
The new Luminance Range masking instrument is my favourite addition to the masking toolset. I take advantage of it most frequently together with the Select Sky AI instrument.
For instance, I take advantage of the Select Sky instrument with the Invert choice checked to pick the whole lot besides the sky. Next, I take advantage of the Luminance Range to focus on the midtone pixels solely. Now, I can enhance the distinction with out affecting shadows, highlights, and the sky.
And what’s the most important function of the brand new Luminance Range instrument is it may be used dynamically. I already created a set of distinction presets concentrating on midtone values solely. When I apply the preset to any chosen picture, Lightroom creates a picture masks on the fly primarily based on the luminance values of the chosen picture.
8. Depth Range
Adobe launched the Depth Range instrument some time in the past, however I used to be crucial due to its very restricted use. It solely works with the brand new HEIC format, Apple’s proprietary model of High-Efficiency Image File format.
The Depth Range instrument creates a picture masks primarily based on how shut the a part of the picture to the digicam. In idea, it’s a nice function that means that you can selectively edit solely the background space of the picture and hold areas near the digicam untouched.
The drawback is that HEIC pictures with the depth map may be produced solely utilizing the iPhones with the twin digicam beginning with iPhone 7+.
Since I’m an Android person, I’ve no use for this instrument. But even if in case you have a brand new model of iPhone, you get higher picture high quality when capturing RAW format (DNG) than HEIC.
9. Advanced Masking in Lightroom
With the introduction of eight new picture masking instruments, you’ve got loads of choices for creating exact and complicated masks for selective modifying. But you’ll be able to take it even additional with the brand new Add and Subtract options.
Now you’ll be able to mix all of the masking instruments making selective modifying much more versatile.
Here is a sensible software of the Subtract function.
To selectively edit the sky space, I take advantage of the Select Sky instrument first. When Lightroom creates the masks, I hit the Subtract button. Next, I decide the Luminance Range instrument and subtract the highlights from the prevailing masks created by the Select Sky instrument. When I’m achieved, I’ve the choice concentrating on solely darker areas of the sky. I can selectively edit the sky with out affecting the intense clouds.
The chosen space of the picture is highlighted in pink (you’ll be able to change the colour).
The Add function masks works the identical manner, however you broaden the masks as a substitute of subtracting a portion of it. For instance, you should use the Brush instrument to broaden the masks by portray over desired areas of the picture.
Plus, there’s one other masking function I nearly missed. It is the Intersect choice. You allow it when urgent down the ALT key. It allows you to create a masking choice by intersecting 2 masks.
The Shortcomings of Lightroom Masking Tools
I want that Adobe made the Select Sky and the Color Range instruments totally dynamic, as I discussed above. But I consider it’s a work in progress, and within the close to future, they are going to enhance the performance of the masking instruments. I’ll replace my Lightroom Rapid Editing system once they do it by incorporating all of the masking instruments in my preset-based picture modifying workflow. It will enable me to edit pictures a lot sooner and with larger precision.
In Lightroom, you’ll be able to solely edit one picture at a time. There isn’t any performance to create a composite or collage.
But the principle shortcoming of the brand new masking instruments, the best way I see it, is that after creating the specified masks, I should not have entry to all of the modifying instruments out there in Lightroom.
For instance, my favourite Lightroom modifying instruments are situated in HSL/Color panel. They enable me to focus on particular person colours selectively. I should not have entry to the HSL/Color panel with the brand new masking instruments. The similar goes with the Tone Curve and Color Grading panels; they’re unavailable when utilizing the masking performance.
It appears to be like as if Adobe arbitrarily determined what instruments I would like and instruments I don’t. The challenge wouldn’t exist if Adobe used the layer-based strategy because it exists in most modifying applications, together with Photoshop. But, for some inexplicable motive, they refuse to provide us layers in Lightroom, the principle function that made Photoshop so highly effective.
Image Masking in Adobe Photoshop
I transitioned to pictures from graphic design. For years, I used Photoshop as my major modifying and compositing instrument as a graphic designer. And what I realized from my graphic design years is that to grasp Photoshop, you need to grasp tips on how to create exact alternatives and masks.
Photoshop has a way more in depth choice of masking instruments and is rather more highly effective in comparison with Lightroom.
This article goals to not educate you to make use of masking instruments in Photoshop as a result of it’s not possible. But as a substitute to provide you an thought of masking choices out there in Photoshop. So you’ll be able to resolve if you could be taught Photoshop or Lightroom picture masking instruments will probably be ample.
1. Layer Masks
Photoshop is a layer-based program with an nearly limitless variety of layers. And for every layer, you’ll be able to have a devoted transparency masks.
When you create a layer masks in Photoshop, you make a part of the layer invisible.
Lightroom doesn’t have layers, however you’ll be able to have a number of masks connected to any picture you edit.
2. Vector Layer Masks
The vector layer masking performance means that you can create resolution-independent masks in Photoshop. This function doesn’t exist in Lightroom, however it’s not often utilized in picture modifying.
I solely used vector layer masks when working with high-resolution pictures meant for print. I by no means felt the necessity for vector masks in my pictures.
3. Adjustment Masks
Adjustment layers are nondestructive edits you’ll be able to apply to any layer in Photoshop. And for every adjustment layer, you’ve got a transparency masks. Original adjustment instruments in Lightroom (brush, graduate filter, radial filter) labored exactly as adjustment layers in Photoshop. With the newest revamping of masking instruments in Lightroom, they work barely totally different however nonetheless similar to adjustment layers and masks in Photoshop.
4. Clipping Masks
Clipping masks in Photoshop allow you to management transparency masks in a single layer primarily based on the content material of one other layer. The performance is broadly utilized in graphic design and picture compositing. Such a function isn’t attainable in Lightroom as a result of it has no layers. But you gained’t miss it if you’re solely fascinated about picture modifying.
5. Alpha Masks
Alpha Mask is a sophisticated sort of masks and a really highly effective choice instrument in Photoshop. The masking data is saved in one of many picture’s coloration channels (alpha channel) and may be accessed by varied applications exterior of Photoshop.
When I used to be working as a graphic designer producing graphics for broadcast tv, 80% of my time was spent creating subtle alpha masks in Photoshop. It allowed overlaying a number of pictures on a TV display, preserving transparency in several elements of a picture.
Even although it’s a highly effective function, you don’t miss it when processing pictures. And there is no such thing as a such a function in Lightroom
6. Select Sky
The Select Sky instrument is powered by synthetic intelligence and machine studying. It detects and selects the sky space with precision and accuracy. I’m sure the instrument makes use of the identical algorithm because the Select Sky instrument in Lightroom. Both instruments produce comparable outcomes.
7. Select Object
The similar goes with the Select-Object instrument, which is powered by AI and similar to the way it works to the Select Object instrument in Lightroom.
8. Color Range
The Color Range is a really helpful technique of masking. You can create customized masks primarily based on a selected coloration or vary of colours in any given picture. For a very long time, I missed such performance in Lightroom. However since Adobe launched the Color Range in Lightroom in model 8, the necessity for Photoshop coloration masking capabilities disappeared.
9. Luminosity Masks
I consider the implementation of Luminance Range in Lightroom is extra user-friendly and logical than Photoshop’s Luminosity Masks. In Lightroom, you’ll be able to create a customized masks primarily based on luminance (brightness) values in seconds. In Photoshop, it’s extra highly effective however rather more difficult. Stick to Lightroom.
As you’ll be able to see, although Photoshop is a way more highly effective and feature-rich program, the necessity for Photoshop in picture modifying diminishes quick. And almost about picture masking functionalities, I don’t see a large benefit of Photoshop over Lightroom.
Plus, to totally reap the benefits of Photoshop superior options, you could rasterize pictures first. In Lightroom, you’ll be able to keep in a RAW modifying atmosphere benefiting from nondestructive modifying.
Image Masking in Photo Editing: Conclusion
I’ve been expressing considerations about Adobe’s lack of actual innovation in Lightroom over the previous few years, feeling that many opponents had been forward. However, with the introduction of recent picture masking instruments, there’s hope that Adobe has lastly acknowledged the necessity for innovation. This means that picture masking might help convey really revolutionary instruments and options to Lightroom.