How to Use the New Masking Features in Adobe Camera Raw

In this episode, I’m going to teach you how to get the most from your images using all the power Adobe recently released with the updates to Camera Raw.

We will take a pretty flat RAW file and do a full edit.

I love using ACR because all the edits aren’t locked in when going to Photoshop. All these features are also in Lightroom but having the edits right there in Photoshop can be a real life-saver.

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00:01:05 - The Goal for this Video
00:01:55 - Why I use Adobe Camera Raw and Bridge over Lightroom
00:02:45 - First Steps in ACR
00:03:17 - Select Sky in a Mask
00:03:53 - Masking Using Color Range
00:04:19 - Basic Adjustments in Black & White
00:05:14 - The Color Mixer Tab
00:05:48 - Working on the Sky
00:06:38 - Building Contrast on the Foreground
00:07:05 - Linear Gradient in the Foreground
00:07:45 - Using the Brush Tool to Subtract the Mask
00:10:20 - Making the Main Subject Pop
00:12:30 - Slight Vignetting with the Radial Gradient Tool
00:13:47 - Fixing Small Distractions
00:18:36 - Open Up the Image in Photoshop
00.19.38 - Continuing Without Destroying Your Work with Smart Objects
00:20:30 - Recovering a Flat Image Using a Levels Adjustment Layer
00:22:27 - My Favorite Final Trick for Finishing a Dramatic Landscape Image

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Lots of you have asked for a look into my camera bag. So here is my gear guide:

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Stay in touch!

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[nickross]

Joel I'm glad you said something about being color blind. I've always thought that would hinder my ever being serious about editing and photography in general.

[barryashenhurst]

Best black and white tutorial I've seen anywhere, ever. Thanks mate. Well done.

[malaranu]

Oh love your technique. Really magic using the blur at the end.

[perrysmithphotography]

Thanks again for another "hands on" with Joel presentation...Great information!

[Thedrewshow]

It’s a CRIME you don’t have a million subs or more. Thanks for sharing the skills!!!

[eoslove]

This is the best demo of the power of masks in ACR I have come across and your PS workflow makes good sense as well, , , been a follower since the days of Kelby and the Photoshop Guys, , , thanks ‘Grimmy’!

[maryannroesler]

Masking was the hardest thing for me to learn in PS...you have taken me to a new level. Thanks

[NakedInSeattle]

Your shortcut, Cmd/Ctrl R, is fantastic because it allows you to open in Camera Raw without having to wait for Photoshop to open. I love it! Always at least one take-away from your tutorials. Great treatment of masking!

[dorndorfdachs]

This was just terrific! Thank you!! I actually had an image open in PS while watching this for my personal Education time today. An image that I believed I'd just finished. I did your last adjustment, Gaussian blur> Soft Light and - okay - NOW my image is finished. : )) I love people like you who share their expertise.

[murraysye]

Great tutorial Joel. I love working with Camera Raw, I don't know about you, but I find it very intuitive. Thank you for sharing.

[swirly_magnolia]

Thanks Joel you’re the man. fantastic work as ever❤

[dougbraz]

Wow - what a great lesson - thanks so much!

[williamphipps]

Terrific! Thanks for the look at your art and workflow!

[coloneltruth]

I always patiently waiting for your videos. Thank you!

[timd]

Great tutorial, always enjoy your videos.

[monztermovies]

Great vid! Learned a bunch about the new PS raw tools! 😎

[terrykellyphotography]

I started using masks for exterior real estate photos. Your excellent mask video has taught me more techniques to use, thank you for that!

[christopherchall]

Thank you for the video! I downloaded your image and played around. It's amazing how the image looks so different when you adjust the standard screen mode (light grey, dark grey, black) in PS preferences. I worked on the image, though it was perfect, got up the next day with 'new' eyes, discovering that it wasn't perfect, and made more adjustments.

[sjloree]

Thanks so much. I love this new feature. You have broken it down into easy-to-understand steps.

[mikejohnston]

Great video. Very educational and helpful. Thanks