Lightroom

Lightroom Tutorial: Make Selective Edits

B.A.W. Kemp

B.A.W. Kemp

— 2 min read

Selective editing is a powerful technique that allows you to target specific areas of your photo and make adjustments without affecting the entire image. This is especially useful when you want to highlight certain details, draw attention to a particular area, or correct distracting elements. Adobe Lightroom offers a variety of tools for making selective edits, including the Adjustment Brush, Radial Filter, and Gradient Tool.

1. Adjustment Brush

The Adjustment Brush is the most versatile tool for making selective edits. It allows you to paint adjustments onto specific areas of your photo with a brush. You can control the size, feather, and opacity of the brush to achieve the desired effect. To use the Adjustment Brush, follow these steps:

  • Click the Adjustment Brush tool in the Tools panel.
  • Select the type of adjustment you want to make, such as exposure, saturation, or clarity.
  • Adjust the settings for the adjustment in the Adjustment Brush panel.
  • Click and drag on your photo to paint the adjustment onto the desired area.

2. Radial Filter

The Radial Filter is a great tool for creating circular or elliptical adjustments. It’s often used to brighten the center of an image or darken the corners. To use the Radial Filter, follow these steps:

  • Click the Radial Filter tool in the Tools panel.
  • Click and drag on your photo to create a circular or elliptical filter.
  • Adjust the settings for the filter in the Radial Filter panel.
  • You can add multiple Radial Filters to your photo to create more complex adjustments.

3. Gradient Tool

The Gradient Tool is used to create gradual adjustments across a specific area of your photo. It’s often used to create a vignette effect, which darkens the edges of the image and draws attention to the center. To use the Gradient Tool, follow these steps:

  • Click the Gradient Tool in the Tools panel.
  • Click and drag on your photo to create a gradient.
  • Adjust the start and end points of the gradient in the Gradient panel.
  • Adjust the feather of the gradient to control the transition between the adjusted and unadjusted areas.

4. Combining Selective Editing Tools

You can combine multiple selective editing tools to create complex and sophisticated adjustments. For example, you could use the Adjustment Brush to brighten the eyes and lips in a portrait, the Radial Filter to darken the background, and the Gradient Tool to create a subtle vignette.

5. Masking

Masking is a technique that allows you to refine your selective edits. It allows you to create a mask that specifies the exact area of the photo to which an adjustment should be applied. To use masking, follow these steps:

  • Click the Add Mask button in the Adjustment panel.
  • Select the type of mask you want to create, such as a luminosity mask or a color mask.
  • Use the painting tools to paint the area of the photo that you want to apply the adjustment to.
  • Adjust the opacity of the mask to control how much the adjustment is applied.

Lightroom’s selective editing is a powerful tool that can help you create more impactful and professional-looking photos. With practice, you can learn to use these tools to make precise and targeted adjustments that will improve your photography.

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