No layer masks? No problem...

Mimic Photoshop compositing by using Lightroom's masking feature

- Sean McCormack

FUNDAMENTALS

In Photoshop compositing, a neat trick is to create a layer between the subject and the background and add a radial gradient in white – this produces a pleasing fog effect. Our brain sees this fog and thinks there must be distance between the subject and the background, effectively creating depth in the composite.

Obviously, the subject has to be cut out to give a clear view of the background. This could be done with erasing, or using a layer mask in Photoshop. Lightroom does not have the benefit of these layer masks or the ability to erase, but it does have a masking feature. Thanks to the redesigned masking in Lightroom Classic 11, we can still achieve this effect for portraiture. It’s probably more effective for studio photographs and gives a pleasing lift, acting like an additional background light. It’s subtle, but effective.