Adobe recently added two new AI Masks to Lightroom 12.3 (and Camera Raw). Unfortunately, one performs just fine, but the other “works terribly” according to the trustworthy Photoshop Café YouTube channel. There is, however, a quick fix, as you’ll see in the quick tutorial below.

Photographer Colin Smith is one of our favorite image-editing instructors and he explains that both new AI-based masks are intended to make processing portrait photos faster and more efficient than ever. A

The first masking tool is a big help for subjects with facial hair. Smith says it works pretty well, and he demonstrates a few tricks to make it function even better. The other new tool is designed for working on the model’s clothing. Unfortunately, Smith says this one is a mess “out-of-the-box,” but he demonstrates how to make it perform as intended.

Smith begins with the Facial Hair Mask, and walks you through the process. He pulls up a nice portrait of a male model with a full beard to demonstrate how this feature works—with an interesting twist. Once you choose Develop the AI-magic begins.

First you grab a mask by clicking on the icon at the top right of the screen, and then you select your subject. Next you select Facial Hair from a list of options (if the person in the image doesn’t have a hairy face, that choice is absent).

Now Smith demonstrates the step-by step method for editing the image in whatever way you desire. You can adjust variables like exposure, clarity, and a host of other variables. You can even make the beard smoother or give it a dramatic “wiry look.

So far so good. But now it’s time for the Select Clothes tool, which appears lower down in the list of masking options mentioned earlier. When Smith first opened this up, he asked himself, “Why did they even ship this?” because the resulting mask  is so sloppy.

Fortunately, it only takes Smith three minutes to set things straight and demonstrate the best way to use the tool now that’s it’s working well. There’s much more to learn on Smith’s instructional YouTube channel, so be to take a look—especially when you run into a snag.

We also recommend watching the tutorial we posted recently from another expert, explaining the best way to use Lightroom presets. And you’ll be able to download some for free!

Most landscape photographers’ weapon of choice is a wide-angle lens—typically in the range of 24-35mm. But if you’re lucky enough to own an ultra-wide lens, and know how to use it properly, it’s possible to capture truly breathtaking photos of expansive vistas.

We emphasize using these unique lenses properly because they can be difficult to master, and that’s the emphasis of today’s tutorial from the Remontheroad YouTube channel—an acronym for professional photographer Remi Bergougroux.

Bergougroux is a popular French educator specializing in landscape and travel imagery, with an impressive portfolio of gorgeous work—some of which was captured in exotic locations. He began his photographic journey at the tender age of 10 after acquiring his first SLR. Now he’s an acclaimed pro willing to share the secrets to his success.

He says he created this comprehensive guide with the goal of helping others take stunning landscape images with an ultra-wide lens. Bergougroux further promises, “once mastered, an ultra-wide lens can produce astonishing and wonderful landscape photos.”

This behind-the-scenes episode takes place in the stunning Lofoten Islands, a destination on the bucket list of landscape photographers across the globe. Bergougroux begins with a bit of optical theory and discusses why you should experiment with shooting in both portrait and landscape orientation.

While most landscape images are photographed using the latter perspective, Bergougroux surprisingly prefers making landscape images in portrait orientation when using ultra-wide glass. He explains the techniques involved, and provides examples of both types of images so you can see for yourself.

You’ll pick up more helpful advice while watching Bergougroux work his magic amidst the amazing surroundings. Focus isn’t usually a big issue with ultra-wide lenses because of their inherently prodigious depth of field, but he imparts some knowledge that you’ll find important.

There’s also helpful discussion of composition, and you’ll see why it’s usually necessary to frame scenes much differently than when using a more conventional wide-angle lens. The lesson wraps up with an interesting self-critique of a few photos Bergougroux captured on the trip.

You can see more stunning imagery by taking a trip to Bergougroux’s YouTube channel, and pick up a variety of tips and tricks while you’re there. And don’t miss the earlier tutorial we posted from another accomplished pro, demonstrating how to shoot spring and summer macro photographs with a creative flair.