I thought I’d share my workflow on a photo from a recent trip I took to Charleston, SC to photograph the spring flowers and birds. In this tutorial we’ll start in Lightroom with basic adjustments, then jump to Photoshop where we’ll do some Channel / Luminosity Masking as well as color masking to finish things up.
Channel Masks and Spring Color
Apr 4, 2019 | Lightroom, Photography, Travel, Tutorial | 27 comments
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I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
I was in Charleston about the same time you were in March. We were at the next plantation down the road from Magnolia, Middleton Place. The Azaleas there were also in full bloom; the day was bright, beautiful and contrasty. I processed a few in HDR (3 shot series) which worked pretty well. I went back and tried your process from the video on some of the RAW files and liked what it did to the shots. Thanks for the tip and making clear the keystroke combinations. It is good to go beyond the basics with photoshop once in awhile. Much appreciated.
Excellent tutorial Matt!!!
Hi Matt,
I was glad to hear that you made it to Charleston, SC. This is one of my favorite destinations from where we now live in Charlotte, NC.
You must have a look at the work of photographer Doug Hickok on Instagram. (hue_and_eye_photography)
https://www.instagram.com/hue_and_eye_photography/
The majority of his work is the city of Charleston and surrounds.
This was a VERY informative video. I was also there the end of March and can’t wait to re-do some of my photos now. Thanks so much…
Hi Matt,
Thanks for this video and sharing useful tips!
Excellent! Thanks for sharing.
I am looking forward for your new course. I only wonder if the creative and fine art aspects of editing will be achieved as well by the people who use CS6. Thanks
Hi. Most things will work in CS6. However, I would recommend you upgrade. You’re using a version of Photoshop that will never get updated again and is over 4 years old. It’s definitely time to move on. And a big part of the class is the newest innovations from Adobe in Content Aware technology which you won’t have. But most creative things I do will work in CS6.
Thank you for teaching the teacher.
Digital & Multimedia Design Instructor
Thank you so much. You are gifted in understanding what I need a Is try to push my skills.
Is Select – Color Range – Highlights another way to do a Luminosity Mask ?
Yep. A luminosity mask doesn’t have rules. It’s just a mask of the luminance values and you can make it any way you want 🙂
I often have a photo like this one and am not able to figure out how to edit it to my satisfaction. You gave some wonderful suggestions towards making the photo come to life. Thanks so much.
Fascinating! I’m embarking on a week long trip and don’t want to lose touch with this when I return. What would be the easiest way to either save or find this lesson?
Hi Frank. I guess you could bookmark it in your web browser.
Awesome. Love these short little tips Matt. ??
I love your courses and tutorials. I have two questions. One serious one less so.
1. In your start to finish tutorials you say the raw file is provided for people to follow along. The YouTube links go simply to mattk.com and not to any files. Where are the raw files?
2. I was watching an old episode of Photoshop User TV. Who is taking care of Scott Kelby’s miniature Shetland Ponies now? I miss the humour and camaraderie and fun of the two of you and Dave Cross on that show.
I attended two of your Lightroom seminars in Sacramento while you were doing them as part of NAPP. It was great learning from you and meeting you.
Hi Timothy –
1. I haven’t said the raw file is available in years and definitely not in this tutorial.
2. I agree. Fun times! 🙂
Thanks!
Could you explain exactly the extent of the refinement of the RGB channel luminance when you ctrl+alt+shift click on that channeL. Is there a way to refine that selection? It seems pretty severe. Thanks
Hi Rick. No I cannot explain it. There isn’t an exact number to quantify it. But you can indeed keep refining it further if you’d like.
This, my friend, is the most useful tip and procedure lately… having precise and easy control over “overexposed, too bright” parts of the photo… brilliant!! You’ve done your job perfectly – as always. Big fan and follower here … 🙂
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the video of your workflow on this image. Nicely done! I believe you just gave me another tidbid regarding using luminosity masks.
Best regards.
Glad to help Mary 🙂
Matt, I usually love your instructional videos. But you lost me on this one pretty quickly because the whole process is way too complicated. That is why I really like On1Raw2019 for this sort of targeted work on an image. Way more intuitive. What you have showed me with this video is why I have a hate/love relationship with Photoshop. Sorry.
Hi Betty – On1 would never let you get this level of targeted control on an image. I appreciate that you find it easier, but (many times) with easier comes less power. And that’s fine for some people. If it works for you, it works. But many other people like the extra power of Photoshop and this video was for them. Thanks!
A lot of work on a busy image, Matt. This is a good example for why presets are useful, rather than have to do what you did. Yes there was improvement, but not enough to justify the work versus other preset or LUT options.
Hey Philip. That’s a tough one. A preset would have never gotten me there. As for a lot of work. With a little practice, and understanding of what you’re doing, it’s actually fairly quick process. Explaining it in a video is what takes 12 minutes, not the actual technique. But it’s not for everyone. Some people like to just be quick about it. Others like to really get in there and have control. There’s room for all kinds in this photography world! 🙂