Today we're discussing why, when, and how to use Luminosity masks for editing nature and landscape photos, a technique that one pro refers to as "the pinnacle of masking in Photoshop." These powerful tools enable you to selectively enhance various parts of an image based upon the brightness values of specific parts.
Utah-based instructor Austin James Jackson belongs to a new generation of landscape shooters who are creating great work, and we often share his vision and in-the-field tutorials that cover gear recommendations, post-processing tips, and in-camera shooting advice for capturing spectacular outdoor imagery.
According to Jackson, Luminosity masking is an "advanced technique" in terms of the impressive results you'll receive, but that doesn't mean it's difficult to do. In fact, this basic primer is designed for beginners and more experienced Photoshop users alike. Thus, he describes the concept and procedures in a very easy-to-digest way—helped along with illustrative examples and imagery.
Jackson pulls up a very interesting desert photo with cactus in the foreground, a looming rock formation further back, tall saguaros on the horizon, and a pretty blue sky embellished with fluffy white clouds. Many of us might be satisfied with quick global adjustments to highlights and shadows but watch what happens when Jackson strategically puts Luminosity masks to work for more thoughtful and selective enhancements.
The standard approach can be both complex and cumbersome, which is why Jackson recommends downloading the free TK Panel that simplifies the procedure without sacrificing ultimate image quality. He walks you the simple method for setting up the plugin and putting it to work.
As Jackson explains, "anything that's black on a Luminosity mask hides the layer, and anything that's white shows it through." A simple phrase to help you remember this is "black conceals, white reveals." Jackson's first goal is to brighten the darkest areas of his demonstration image without affecting other areas within the frame. and this is exactly why selective masking is required for optimum results.
The same holds true for other local adjustments required for getting the job done with precision. He provides a number of examples for using Luminosity Masks for different types of enhancements and explains the straightforward procedure for applying multiple masks of this type.
Bottom Line: Luminosity masks are one key to elevating the manner in which you edit all sorts of outdoor images, and the straightforward technique deserves to be part of your everyday workflow. After watching the video you're likely to agree. You can find more post-processing tips and tricks by paying a visit to Jackson's instructional YouTube channel.
Be sure not to miss a tutorial we featured last week with another image-editing expert who demonstrates how she uses Photoshop's timesaving Actions panel to streamline her workflow and consistently achieve beautiful edits.
English (US) ·