Lightroom masking is one of the most powerful tools inside Lightroom, especially when you want more control than a preset alone can offer. Whether you are editing indoor photos, working with bad lighting, or trying to fix dark images without over-editing, masking allows you to make targeted adjustments while keeping your photos natural.
If you have ever applied a preset and thought, “This looks good, but something still feels off,” masking is often the missing step. This guide will walk you through what masking is, how it works, where to find it, and how to use it confidently as part of a clean, modern editing workflow.
This is a foundational guide designed for beginners, everyday editors, creators, and photographers using Lightroom Mobile, Desktop, or Classic.
What Is Masking in Lightroom?
Masking in Lightroom allows you to apply edits to specific areas of a photo instead of adjusting the entire image at once. Rather than globally changing exposure, contrast, or color, masks let you target precise areas such as:
- Faces and skin
- Backgrounds
- Clothing
- Windows and light sources
- Shadows or highlights that need extra attention
This selective editing is especially helpful for indoor photos, low light situations, and images with uneven lighting or strong color casts.
Why Masking Is Essential for Indoor Photography
Indoor photos often present challenges that presets alone cannot fully fix. Common indoor issues include:
- Bad lighting from overhead or mixed light sources
- Low light that causes images to feel flat or muddy
- Dark images with heavy shadows
- Yellow, green, or orange color casts
- Skin tones that need softening without losing texture
Masking allows you to correct these issues gently. Instead of pushing global sliders too far, you can brighten, soften, or balance only the areas that need it.
Where to Find Masking in Lightroom
Masking tools are available in Lightroom Desktop, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom Mobile.
Lightroom Desktop and Classic
- Open your photo
- Click the Masking icon (a circle with a dotted outline)
Lightroom Mobile
- Open your photo
- Tap the Masking icon
Once opened, you will see a set of automatic and manual masking options designed to make editing faster and more intuitive.
Understanding the Types of Masks in Lightroom
Lightroom offers several masking tools. You can use just one or combine multiple masks in a single image.
Select Subject
Select Subject automatically identifies the main subject in your photo. This is ideal for portraits, lifestyle images, and indoor photos where the subject needs to stand out from the background.
- Brightening faces in low light
- Softening skin
- Improving exposure without affecting the background
Select Background
Select Background targets everything behind your subject. This is useful when the background feels too dark, too warm, or distracting.
- Darkening or softening backgrounds
- Reducing strong color casts
- Adding depth to indoor images
Select Sky
Select Sky is primarily designed for outdoor photos, but it can still be useful indoors when large windows or bright light sources are present. It allows you to control brightness and highlights without affecting your subject.
Brush Mask
The Brush tool gives you full manual control. You paint exactly where you want edits applied.
- Retouching small areas
- Refining skin
- Brightening eyes
- Fixing uneven lighting
Linear and Radial Gradients
Gradients are ideal for creating smooth, natural transitions.
- Brightening window light
- Softening harsh shadows
- Adding gentle glow to indoor photos
A Simple Masking Workflow That Actually Works
One of the biggest mistakes people make with masking is using it too early or trying to fix everything at once. Masking works best when it is part of a simple, repeatable workflow.
-
Apply your preset
Start by applying your preset of choice. Presets set the overall tone, color, and mood of the image. -
Adjust preset opacity if needed
If the preset feels too strong or too subtle, adjust the opacity or intensity first. -
Adjust white balance and exposure
Correct your white balance and exposure. Auto white balance can be a helpful starting point for indoor photos with mixed lighting. -
Apply masking selectively
Use masking only where it is needed, such as brightening faces, lifting shadows, softening skin, or calming a distracting background.
Following this order keeps your edits clean, consistent, and easy to repeat across multiple photos.
Common Masking Mistakes to Avoid
- Using adjustments that are too strong
- Adding too much clarity or texture to skin
- Forgetting to lower mask opacity
- Editing zoomed in without checking the full image
Tips for Natural Masking Results
- Keep adjustments subtle
- Zoom out often to check balance
- Reduce opacity if a mask feels heavy
- Focus on light and tone before color
Why Masking Makes Editing Easier
Once you understand masking, editing becomes less frustrating and more intuitive. Masking allows you to fix specific problems without starting over or abandoning a preset you love.
- Fix bad lighting
- Improve low light images
- Balance color casts
- Refine skin tones
- Create consistent indoor edits
The Takeaway
Masking is a skill that improves quickly with practice. Start with simple adjustments and one mask at a time. Over time, you will develop a feel for what each tool does and when to use it. Masking is not about changing your style. It is about supporting it.
FAQs About Masking in Lightroom
1. How do you use masking in Lightroom?
To use masking in Lightroom, first apply your preset and adjust exposure and white balance. Then open the Masking tool and choose a mask such as Select Subject, Brush, or Background. Apply adjustments only to the areas that need it, like faces, skin, or shadows. Masking works best when used selectively after your base edit is complete.
2. Is there masking in Lightroom Classic?
Yes, masking is available in Lightroom Classic. The masking tools work similarly to Lightroom Desktop and include options like Select Subject, Select Background, Brush, and Gradients. You can access masking by clicking the Masking icon in the Develop module.
3. Is masking free in Lightroom?
Basic masking tools are available in the free version of Lightroom Mobile, but advanced masking features require a paid Adobe Lightroom subscription. Lightroom Desktop and Classic require a subscription to access masking tools.
4. How do I turn on the mask overlay in Lightroom?
To turn on the mask overlay in Lightroom, select your mask and press the overlay toggle. In Lightroom Desktop and Classic, you can press the shortcut key to show the overlay. In Lightroom Mobile, the overlay appears automatically while editing a mask and can be toggled in the mask settings.
5. Can you use masking in Lightroom on iPad or phone?
Yes, masking works on both iPad and phone using Lightroom Mobile. You can access tools like Select Subject, Brush, and Gradients directly in the app. Masking on mobile is especially helpful for fixing low light, bad lighting, and skin tones on phone photos.
6. Is Lightroom masking good for portraits?
Lightroom masking is excellent for portraits. It allows you to brighten faces, soften skin, reduce shadows, and balance lighting without affecting the entire image. Masking helps portraits look natural and polished, especially in indoor or low light conditions.
