lumonisity masks

[echoyjeff222]

So I downloaded some free actions online and I was fiddling around with the local contrast etc. but I didn't really know what to do! I feel that lumonisty masks may be the most useful for multiple images that someone wants to blend (as an alternative to HDR), but for a single image, should I just stick with lightroom? My normal workflow is just to dodge and burn portions of the photo using masks in lightroom. I can just paint over the area I want to affect, then change contrast or any other setting. I guess the only difference I see is that lum. masks are more precise in some ways (ONLY selects midtones, etc) but other than that, I don't see the benefit. Any other things I should be aware of?

 

[Ysarex]

You basically have it there. Don't escalate unless you have to. So if the adjustment mask and gradient tool in LR is up to the task no need to over think it. LR's adjustment mask and gradient tool will very often get the job done.

Then there's going to be situations where you can't achieve adequate precision and using the LR adjustment mask leaves halos or can't discriminate necessary detail. That's when you move on to luminosity/layer masks in Photoshop.

In this photo LR's brush masks couldn't discriminate trees from sky so had to use a mask in Photoshop to darken the sky.

Joe