The ability to make precise selections in photo editing can transform an ordinary image into something extraordinary. While masking tools have evolved significantly, understanding how to combine them strategically is key to achieving professional-grade results.
Coming to you from Glyn Dewis, this insightful video demonstrates a practical application of Lightroom's intersect command beyond its common use for sky selections. Using a test shot of his car taken during a rainy location scout, Dewis walks through how combining multiple masks with the intersect command allows for incredibly precise editing control. He shows how using subject selection twice in succession actually improves the initial mask's accuracy, eliminating unwanted areas that were mistakenly included in the first pass. This technique proves especially valuable when working with complex subjects that have reflective surfaces, like automobiles.
The real power of the intersect command becomes apparent when Dewis combines it with a linear gradient to selectively brighten just the side of the vehicle while preserving the lighting on the rear. By intersecting the subject mask with a gradient, he creates a seamless transition between the adjusted and unmodified areas. The precision this offers is remarkable – the mask affects only the car's surface within the gradient's boundaries, allowing for natural-looking local adjustments that would be difficult to achieve through other methods. He enhances the technique further by applying separate radial gradients to the wheels, demonstrating how multiple specialized masks can work together for a cohesive edit.
The workflow Dewis presents showcases how the intersect command can be used multiple times in different ways throughout an edit. He applies it first to refine the initial subject selection, then again with the sky mask to prevent unwanted spillover onto ground elements, and finally with the gradient for precise local adjustments. Each application builds upon the previous one, creating a sophisticated yet manageable editing approach that maintains complete non-destructive control over the image. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dewis.
