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.  

Minimalism is a powerful technique used by experienced landscape photographers to create order out of the chaos inherent to complex outdoor scenes in which a myriad of unrelated elements compete for attention. This simple-but-dramatic imagery is often rendered in high-contrast b&w but there plenty of room for vibrant color, as you’ll see in the video below.

Instructor Micael Widell is a notable Swedish pro who specializes in macro photography, nature and landscape imagery, and capturing the bustling urban environment. We’ve featured his macro tutorials in the past, but this episode is devoted to 10 pro techniques that prove the old adage that sometimes less is more.

Widell kicks off the episode with a minimum requirement for simplified imagery: “In any minimalist photo you need to have negative space.” This key element is often thought of a featureless area within the composition, a blank sky, or an area with a single tone that’s totally devoid of detail. In fact, darkness itself can be used to creatively portray negative space when shooting at night.

Another of Widell’s tricks is to look for solid surfaces that can greatly simply a composition. These could be the plain wall of a structure, an area where two complimentary tones collide, a bridge against the sky, or the surface of a pond, lake, or sea. As he says, “these single-color surfaces are a type of negative space.”

Widell’s third tip is what he refers to as “lock down” and this is what he means: Stand somewhere with a high vantage point, like a bridge or atop a hill, and point your camera downwards. “Then the ground will be the surface and you’ll be able to make nice, minimalist compositions.”

Conversely, try shooting upward toward the sky from a low camera position. At this point we’ve barely scratched the surface of the methods Widell demonstrates for keeping a scene clean. He describes other unique camera angles that work well, how to use silhouettes to advantage, and making the most of certain types of weather.

You’ll also learn why shallow depth of field can be your friend, and how zooming in tight will eliminate distracting elements from a scene. Once you’re done watching head over to Widell’s instructional YouTube channel where you’ll pick up more unique tips for capturing the great outdoors.

And don’t miss the earlier tutorial we featured with another popular outdoor photography instructor who demonstrates how to capture wondrous wide-angle photographs by following seven guidelines for skillful compositions.

If you’re under the impression that a high-end camera is required for fast and precise focus, well, think again, because we’re going to dispel that common excuse in the next 10 minutes. The good news is that you can achieve super sharp photos with whatever camera you own by using the pro techniques demonstrated below.

The bad news is the out-of-focus shots that disappointed you in the past can no longer be blamed on your camera because “operator failure” is likely the real culprit. Instructor Matthew Littlewood is an experienced adventure photographer who shares the powerful techniques he developed during countless photo excursions in the beautiful Canadian Rockies near his home.

Littlewood discusses his preferred focusing techniques that “will ensure you get perfectly sharp images in any conditions.” He also runs through the best way to configure the camera for various situations in the field. And there’s a discussion of how the appropriate aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings contribute to maximum image quality.

The lesson kicks off with an explanation of the different focus modes available in most cameras, how they work, and when to choose one over another. At the most basic level you’ll select either single-shot or continuous autofocus. But there are other options too, and you’re ultimate choice depends upon if you’re making static shots like landscape scenes or subjects in motion.

There are a variety of subtle tricks that can make a bit difference, like how to lock focus distance so the focus point doesn’t shift as you move the camera around to explore various compositions. The number of focus points you use also factors into the equation.

But what if your goal is to create images that are totally sharp—all the way from foreground to infinity? You’ll learn how to do that too by using a powerful technique known as “focus stacking.”

So watch how it’s done, stop making excuses, and capture tack-sharp photos from now on. Then head over to Littlewood’s popular YouTube channel where you’ll find many more shooting and post-processing techniques for improving your skills.

And on a related note, be sure to watch a tutorial we posted earlier, demonstrating how another experienced pro captures outstanding action photographs when shooting with slow shutter speeds.