Photo How To

Have you ever marveled at breathtaking images with a wide range of colors and impeccable exposure in different portions of the frame, and wondered how the photographer created such amazing balance? Today you'll learn the straightforward secret you're missing.

Here's the concept in a nutshell. It's a simple fact that the photos you edit will never reach their full potential if you limit your workflow to global adjustments that are applied to the image as a whole. The solution is understanding how to enhance different portions of a shot selectively through the use of simple masking techniques.

Taking this approach enables you to make specific enhancements only where they needed without affecting other elements that you may have adjusted differently. Instructor Rob Dryburgh is an accomplished photographer and post-processing specialist based in Newfoundland, Canada who has a unique knack for simplifying seemingly complicated tasks. And that's exactly his mission for the eight-minute tutorial below.

Dryburgh introduces the lesson like this: "In today's video I'll show you how to master masking in Lightroom Classic—an essential skill for taking your photos to the next level." In barely eight minutes he walks you through a simple step-by-step process—from isolating a subject, to fine-tuning specific areas of an image "for that perfect edit."

Inexperienced Lightroom users who think masking is beyond their skills are in for a big surprise, because this quick primer is packed with practical tips and techniques that anyone can begin using immediately. And we're pretty sure that you'll want to update your everyday workflow accordingly.

Dryburgh insists that masking is an image-editing gamechanger because it enables you to refine every detail, enhance colors to perfection, create insane depth, and guide a viewer's eyes to exactly where you want them to look.

So pay close attention and you'll learn how to unlock the true power of Lightroom to make your best edits ever. Then other photographers will wonder how YOU created such amazing imagery, and you can just sit back and smile!

Be sure to visit Dryburgh's instructional YouTube channel where there are other quick lessons for elevating your skills.

We also recommend watching a tutorial we featured recently with another post-processing expert who provides a complete guide to mastering the art of converting color photographs to monochrome and transforming lifeless images into dramatic b&w works of art.