Masks
Masks allow you to apply edits to only certain parts of an image instead of changing the entire photo. This is useful when one area of the image needs different adjustments than another. In this guide, a gradient mask is used with the Color Balance RGB module to adjust only the sky while keeping the mountains and foreground mostly unchanged.
Original Image (Starting Point)
Step 1: Gradient Mask
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A drawn and parametric gradient mask is first placed along the horizon line so the adjustments mainly affect the sky. This allows the brighter upper part of the image to be edited separately from the darker landscape below it.
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Using a gradient mask creates a smooth transition between edited and unedited areas, which helps the changes look more natural and less obvious.
This is what the gradient mask appears as on the image preview:
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Step 2: Global Offset
The 4 Ways controls in Color Balance RGB will be used through steps 2-4 and are then used to darken the sky slightly and add more blue color. In global offset, the luminance is lowered to deepen the sky, while the hue and chroma controls are adjusted to strengthen the blue tones.
These changes help the sky look richer and more dramatic while still keeping a natural appearance.
After image
Step 3: Highlights Grain
The highlights are then adjusted to brighten the lighter parts of the sky and increase the blue color in those brighter areas. This helps clouds and brighter sections stand out more clearly while keeping the sky colorful and vibrant.
These settings were chosen to give the sky more depth and separation without making it look overly edited.
After image
Step 4: Power
The power controls are used to slightly darken deeper tones while adding a bit more blue color throughout the sky. This helps improve contrast and creates a smoother balance between the darker and brighter parts of the image.
The adjustments also help the sky feel more balanced overall while keeping the colors consistent.
After image
Step 4: Mask Refinement
Part of the gradient mask also affected some areas of the mountains near the horizon. To fix this, the value channel (Jz) sliders in the parametric mask were adjusted to focus more on lighter areas of the image.
This helps limit the effect mostly to the sky and reduces unwanted changes in the darker mountain areas, making the mask blend more naturally into the scene.