Introduction to Luminosity Masks

Introduction to Luminosity Masks

In this article I want to introduce you to a Photoshop topic that has to some extent fallen from favour, primarily due to the superlative work that Adobe has done in Camera RAW and in Lightroom for managing images.  In both offerings we find five areas of luminosity control, blacks, shadows, exposure (aka midtones), highlights and whites.  For many photographic post processors these solve most issues.  However, when you want much more granular control and image specific adjustments, we merely need to hop over to Photoshop to step up to the next level.

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The Value Proposition of Luminosity Masks

We hear a lot about using luminosity masks.  I hear the term thrown around a lot, but when I dig in, folks often understand that they are great tools, but don't know where they come from, what one can do with them and how to make them.  In fact, I have encountered nice people who are paying $$ for Photoshop actions that make luminosity masks.  Ok.  I'm going to teach you to make your own as well.

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