Create Epic Landscape Photos with a Pro’s “Secret” Masking Technique (VIDEO)
If you’re serious about nature and landscape photography and looking for a quick post-processing trick that will take your images to the next level, you’ve come to the right place. That’s because the video below from expert Austin James Jackson reveals “the pro masking secret that most people don’t know how to use, and how you can use it to transform your images.”
Jackson is a young Utah-based outdoor photographer whose popular YouTube channel features twice-weekly tutorials that will help you shoot and edit landsape images to perfection. Today’s post-processing lesson takes things a bit further because the oft-ignored masking method you’ll learn is equally appropriate for processing wildlife photos, environmental portraits, and more.
He notes that Lightroom Classic is loaded with powerful masking tools that can significantly improve unimpressive images; that’s if you understand how to maximize their potential. Jackson then reveals how he uses masks to accomplish far more than just brightening or darkening specific areas in a scene.
This 14-minute video describes how Jackson uses masks for a variety of other important tasks, like adding depth and dimension, enhancing localized color, adjusting white balance and tint, and a few other key characteristics. And be sure to grab his free guide entitled “10 Photo Tips in 10 Minutes” using a link beneath the video.
Jackson provides an overview of the concept and runs you through the basics. He then turns his attention to a few advanced masking tips that are easy to master but deliver big results. These include refining your selections by adding or subtracting masks to complete a perfect transformation.
Other top tricks involve color-range masking, luminance-range masking, and the benefits of combining two or more masks. One you’re done watching pay a visit to Jackson’s instructional YouTube channel and explore what is available.
On a related note, be sure to check out our earlier tutorial with another Lightroom expert who demonstrates how Lightroom’s new Variance tool is the perfect antidote to photographs with unsightly color problems.
