4 Lightroom MASKING Tricks I Use On EVERY Photo!

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In this week’s episode, I review the four masking tricks I use on every landscape photo! There's no shortage of tips, tricks and best practices with regards to photo editing. But, the four masking tricks I review in this video are by far my all-time favorites and the ones I use most often. The beauty of these photo editing tricks is that they can improve just about every single landscape photo. In this video, I'll show you how I apply these Lightroom masks in order to improve my images, so you can try these tricks out on your own. I hope you enjoy this week's video and as always thanks so much for watching! - Mark D.
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[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

💥QUICK QUESTION: Do you use at least 1 mask on every photo?

[@ddki9094]

Yes, I use the sky mask/linear gradient on pretty much every photo with the sky since seeing that tip on this channel and for me it really helps eliminate halos that you may get if you don't use that gradient. Using masks in post production in photography in my opinion is very much the same as a record producer using a mixer to produce music; it is essential.

[@noscamiam]

It would be a rarity to not have at least one mask. Usually, there are several.

[@JohnDoranski]

Yes. I am trying to use the color grading and Lum mask more often (but this is still a struggle at times).

[@DigitalPhotoGuru]

Usually at least two.

[@jmich5123]

Yes

[@annepetry2340]

I nearly always learn something new and applicable from your videos. Thank you for your calm and informative content!

[@normansleep4491]

To be completely honest I personally think your videos are the best. A full and comprehensive explanation from start to finish, thanks Mark You have helped my a great deal

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@gregwarson3483]

Years ago, I began editing using global adjustments, but have discovered the impact of targeted adjustments that can be applied using masking. Your tutorials have been invaluable in helping to refine this editing technique. The tips using the shift and option keys on a radial gradient are "worth the price of admission" 😊. I always walk away with a new learning. Thanks Mark.

[@suitcasejunkies8719]

Appreciate the tips. I played around with the mask and I can see why you like them and use them in all your photos. I'm still a long way from awesome pictures, but feel I got a step closer watching your tutorial, thank you.

[@willypaul70]

thanks Mark for the simple explanations, and the straightforward approach to your videos. Can always count on very useful and effective tips from you!! Greatly appreciated.

[@ilesmic]

Love these tips-- My only comment on the last tip you should subtract the directional light from the bottom of the cliff on the right side as the light at sunset would not be hitting that area as brightly as the angle of the sun would be lower

[@MrDaveB123]

Thanks Mark. That was great

[@kennypringle4580]

Your education to us is very well appreciated.

[@ourhouseuk]

Hey Mark, just wanted to pop a message in thanking you for your content this year. I appreciate your complete willingness to show the quick tips and tricks to the “laymen” that many pros use, and though much of this content may be a refresh for me personally, I continue to learn from your generous sharing of knowledge, and recommend you to others. Keep up the great work next year, and thanks again for a real high point of photography channels

[@drewselby1]

I've been taking and editing photos for 3/4 years now and I swear I still learn something new in every one of your videos!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great hearing this!

[@darrenmjones1]

Thanks Mark for another helpful video. I didn't know the radial gradient tips about double-clicking or using the shift or alt keys, so I will definitely find those useful. Also the tip about using the linear gradient to soften the sky mask edge is something I think I will start putting into practice a lot to avoid the hard edge and also because a lot of times Lightroom's sky inadvertently includes distant mountains.

[@csc-photo]

I learn something new in every one of your vids - you're one of the best photographers / photo-instructors on this platform! Thanks for all your excellent content. Hair is always on point as well. 😎

[@Suhailkhan53]

Awesome 👌

[@DigitalPhotoGuru]

Hold the Shift key while creating a Linear Gradient to make it parallel vertically or horizontally.

[@celinemorisset5533]

Thanks Mark, always so helpful and easy to follow. Much appreciate your videos.

[@CarlKoop]

All of these tips were great, excellent examples as well, but the 'subtract color range' for the foreground was my favorite. I have several photos that I need to go back and re-edit now! Thanks for this video!

[@GrubHubUSA]

Outstanding. Again. Always!

[@MrDan1943]

I use many of them but a great recap of easy corrections

[@georgep4757]

Mark great video love the tips Thanks for sharing them

[@ianslingsby3415]

Fantastic this has improved my masking dramatically, thanks Mark for sharing.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I really like the linear filter combined with the sky selection. Will have to use that.

[@PaulVotava]

This is an excellent video, well explained with a great photo to see the changes. 11 minutes of video that I can apply and improve my editing immediately. I'll be checking out your other vids and courses. THANK YOU!

[@Albertocn77]

Gracias por enseñarnos.

[@tjlewis600]

thank you thank you thank you one of the best you have ever done that has truly taken me to another level thank you

[@NicholasStein]

I primarily do my editing in Photoshop. Maybe I need to start doing these masks in Lightroom. I do not usually have much sky in my photos, but the light directional technique is relevant to bringing the viewer's attention to the center and subject. You are the gradient mask master.

[@curtislewis3555]

I've been following you for a couple years and this is one of my favorite videos that you have done. I was at that same location in 2023 and now I have to go back and look at my shots and rework some of them using your tips. Thanks so much.

[@dirkgibbens377]

I have never seen this sky mask/linear gradient trick. I'll have to give it a try! I do very little in terms of global changes. I do most of my edits using brushes. Mark, that effect in the foreground of the cliff was pretty cool. But that's where I would have just used a brush to darken up the foreground without affecting the water. More than one way to skin a cat! Another excellent video!!

[@HappyPawsPhotography]

Thank you for this and all your videos! I do on-location pet photography and your tips helps me so much with complimenting my subjects with a beautiful landscape and have really elevated the quality from standard portrait to art!

[@sarahterry2140]

Beautiful photo and these tips were so clear and helpful!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad ya enjoyed it!

[@keithreid4032]

Thanks for always sharing your knowledge with us. I have leant so much from your fantastic videos. They are gems.

[@Gianni_Martino_Photography]

Great masking tips! Thanks, Mark!

[@kbstabs5982]

Excellent!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!

[@chrishall6364]

Some useful tips; thank you very much Mark

[@vanmeter-photography]

Thank you. This video helped me a lot. Masking is one of the areas that I need to work on the most.

[@DrDougMcC45]

Thanks!

[@johanp8391]

Very informative video. Thanks

[@Eugene-Braack]

Great tips - thanks!!

[@misha4422]

Good timing. I am approaching what to do with a number of flatly light image with good detail. Though none of these tips are new to me, the reminder to try them is VERY timely.

[@kathypirok-klein3413]

This was like getting a Christmas present from you with these amazing tips.

[@chetkostrzewa746]

Fantastic - this video is in the top 3 or 4 most useful and interesting videos on editing I have ever seen! Creating depth is the #1 game changer in landscape photos, in my opinion.

[@TheCeeke]

Very interesting video! Thanks for sharing and explaining so clearly!

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

Try intersecting sky with sky too. That can help when it selects bright portions at the top of the edge of the land.

[@dip_editz_01]

Nice sir🎉

[@nickbowman3505]

Very useful hints and tips Mark

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Nick!

[@Thestreetphotograhers]

Very clever mate

[@guycl2381]

Great tips ! I'll watch it again (and again) and write it down ... Kind regards, Guy.

[@randyschwager84]

Great info! Thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Randy!

[@bobmcdonald4834]

Another super clip!

[@hylkeheidstra2274]

Great content Mark. As always really valuable!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!

[@EdwardEpiscopo]

Great tips, thanks Mark!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Edward!

[@jasonwhinnery4134]

Another very informative video. Thanks Mark.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Jason!

[@thom56morrissey]

Thanks so much Mark! These are all awesome tips! Going to try them all right now! Merry Christmas!

[@droneguynh6371]

Another great tips video. Thank you! To answer your question, yes, I absolutely use at least one mask in just about all of my photos. After watching a few of your tutorials I am using more masks, and even happier with the results.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!

Mark you are fantastic. As a capture one user you are pushing me towards lrc

[@albert25hoo]

Very good tips, Mark, some of them I knew already and apllied to my photo's. Very instructive to see the differences before and after. Thanks, and merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Bert.

[@DavidRamsey1]

Nice tips!

[@GrubHubUSA]

These edits might be snubbed as photoshopping the pics. I beg to differ! These edits help recreate the magic of actually being there that is lost with limitations of even the best cameras. It takes real effort and talent to create the feel of being there. Kudos Mark.

[@sc102]

Great tips. I am still developing masking skills and I keep messing up, especially when it comes to intersection and subtraction. I guess practice is the key. The shortcuts you showed us are immensely helpful.

[@stretch90]

Some great tips!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!

[@robryan4272]

Good stuff as usual. Thank you.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya my friend!

[@tomcox875]

Great photograph made amazing. That is the most helpful landscape image processing advice I have seen. Masterfully presented.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@phamhoanganhkiet3452]

Thanks for sharing and congra for 300k 🎉

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@antonoat]

Mark this is a fab film, I’m much wiser now! Thank you! 👏😀👍 ps I do think it’s important we watch the direction of light, lifting shadows in areas which are in natural shade must be done with caution!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrispietryga8710]

Another enjoyable and intelligent video. I always learn something useful. Thanks☺.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear!

[@tomklingele510]

Great tips on masking. I am a big user of masks on every image landscape or other subjects.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EpicFlightz]

Great tips. Thank you

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks!

[@andrewkeir2282]

I primarily am a bird photgrapher, but I can certainly see application for these techniques with my work. Great video

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Andrew!

[@phynx2006]

👍👍😍 Thank You

[@rlfisher]

Masterclass.

[@echoauxgen]

I want to Thank You for showing all these editing ways making Lrc a fun program. This reminds me of the early days of Capture ONE and the layering on Photoshop. C1 was the early Lr of using sections in a image to adjust different parts, back in 2014 it was included with Sony cameras for $30, the bad thing was you had to import all images in a date file so you would just put one image in a file. As far as PS you play with layers of sections changing each to your likes, back then I would watch Trey Ratciff do an image that could never be capture by another photographer not knowing he used PS. A main reason not use or learn PS back then was cost $800+ and each full update. It was not till the $80 or so editing programs came out did us Hobbyist get into the Game of editing. Just as a note do not pull all images in Lr/Lrc for the updates will give you a new catalog and after some time like 3 years you will need a new computer and getting all your images transferred will be troublesome.

[@Clipper024]

Great video, thank you. I have similar photos (same local) from a trip to Iceland in 2012. Similarly, the photos were blah (overcast), I'm now revisiting them, and with your suggestions looking at them in a new light.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@randolphvacchi1933]

My editing went from a global to a local emphasis with masks once I heard the phrase...'painting with light.' Sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else to open your eyes. So I keep watching to learn.

[@tall14dude]

I learned some valuable skills from this! I continue to think I don't need Photoshop with all the things Lightroom can do.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear!

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

5:06 I did NOT know that was a thing I could do 🤯! I have alot of images I want to re-edit now lol!

[@MrPhillipgraham]

Great tips there mark thanks. Although can i just ask, is there any need to use the sky mask when you can just use the linear gradient instead?! If you are keeping the edge feathered on thd horizon i dont see the point in using the sky mask?

[@shanewhite4392]

How were you toggling your mask on/off? I can only figure out how to toggle all changes at the same time. I'd really like to be able to just see the change in the mask! Great video!

[@oldtvnut]

My first reaction was "Is the big difference between before and after cheating?" But then I remembered the exhibit I saw of Ansel Adams' proof sheets next to his final prints (at the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson) and realized this is doing the same things in color that he did in monochrome (and wished he could do in color).

[@shyamalganguly3598]

Christmas is here again so let's enjoy it and spread love with whatever we do to make it most special! ❤❤😂😂

[@JeffCoxhead]

So what version of Lightroom do you need to get all of these options for masking? Lightroom 5 (I know it's an older version) does not have a masking section like it is shown here so I am not able to do most of what is shown here.

[@steveeb9567]

Not that it matters but you could do all that with the adjustment brush also. Still using LR 6.2 , no subscription. Always fun to find work arounds. Luminosity masks not so much.

[@jakobschneeberger3965]

👍👍👍

[@banjowillowwarbler-gm4jk]

hello, not truly related to the video Mark, but please would you be able to tell me what the monitor you use is, I have a MacBook Air and am wanting to get a decent monitor so enable editing without eye strain etc. I did go look at your website but it doesn't cover that aspect of gear.

[@sequoi_]

Fairly certain that's a Mac Studio Display.

[@JohnDoranski]

@@sequoi_True. My wife has the good one at $5K - not in my budget.

[@banjowillowwarbler-gm4jk]

@@JohnDoranski not in mine either, I was hoping it was an alternative. Nevermind I will leave that to a parallel universe. They are lovely though.

[@sequoi_]

@@JohnDoranski same I’m happy with my BenQ.

[@gregmonforton4103]

I wish there was a square brush option for masks (for getting into nooks and crannies).

[@roberthughes9773]

If the sun is setting in the top right of the photo, wouldn’t the base of the waterfalls be in a shadow because the light is being blocked by the cliff/drop-off? The top of the waterfall in the area where the water drops off is in the sun but not the bottom or the sides of the rock going down. That’s the way I perceive the light to be located.

[@timbelber7342]

I was wondering about the same thing. Wouldn't the left side facing the sun also be brighter?

[@roberthughes9773]

Yes. The left side would catch the sun.

[@johanp8391]

I noticed that the cliff faces should be in shadow as well.

[@stuartayton8567]

Have to agree. The left side should catch the sun and the right side will be in shade because of the height of the sides of the valley! Do you agree Mark?

[@bruceatkinson932]

Agree. There seems to be a conflict between where the sun is (upper right) and the brightness differences that suggest light coming from the left.

[@scottwallace1]

Why wouldn’t you just use a linear gradient by itself? What does intersecting with a sky mask get you? Thank you for all the great content!!!

[@michaeltrue]

So you do this on just about every photo? LOL It is fun to see how comfortable you are with one take. If it's not one take, even more impressive.

[@anthonyarendt]

Any reason you’re not starting with the gradient mask instead of the sky mask?

[@attrapehareng]

For the first tip with the sky mask, I don't really understand why adding a sky mask forst and not directly just a linear gradient ?

[@notdisclosed7053]

The linear gradient alone would also affect the mountains and background features. Intersection with the sky means that only the sky, not the background, is affected, but the effect on the sky is lessened from top to bottom of the gradient.

[@sjedouglas]

Me: I'm going to add a linear gradient to my sky mask. Lightroom: Ohh, I know what you're looking for, here's a brand new linear gradient. Me: You know fine well that's not what I asked you to do.

[@harderja]

I would rather see the right of the cliffs not as bright as the light looks, it is coming from the right side of the sky. Also, I see to many people overdo the sky to the point that it seems fake.

[@melindafrench5265]

You beat me to it. 😅 If the sun is to the right the cliffs on the right would be in shadow, A useful idea none the less.

[@chrissveenphotography]

So why didn’t you just use a graduated filter on the sky instead of both the filter and the sky adjustment? It seems a little redundant. Couldn’t you get the same result with just the g filter?

[@CJMajesty]

Almost don’t need Photoshop anymore.

[@DrDougMcC45]

Thanks!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you!!

[@LenShigemoto]

Thanks!