I recently read a review of Adobe Lightroom, in which the author spoke in detail about the new features of the editor and how they change the approach to photo processing. Some of the descriptions seemed so interesting to me that I decided to test everything in practice.
In this article, I share my personal experience of testing the most discussed features: automatic masking, adaptive presets, and intelligent sky enhancement. The results are sometimes predictable, and sometimes truly surprising.
1. Automatic masking: almost like magic
The feature that, according to the author of the review, “saves a lot of time when editing portraits” turned out to be really impressive. Lightroom automatically finds objects (face, clothes, background) and offers separate masks.
📌 My test:
I uploaded a portrait taken outdoors with less than even lighting. Previously, I manually separated the background to work with the contrast – now it took literally 5 seconds. The program perfectly selected the hair, face, and even the collar of the shirt.
The function works accurately and quickly. If before it was a routine, now it has become almost a pleasure.
2. Adaptive presets: simplicity with flexibility
The reviewer noted that the presets have become “smarter” – now they automatically adjust to a specific photo, taking into account the lighting and frame structure.
📌 My test:
I tried the built-in adaptive preset “Portrait – brightness and softness”. He slightly raised the light on the face, reduced the skin texture and toned down the background a bit. And he did it quite carefully – without overexposure or excessive processing.
This is not just a filter, but a truly adaptive tool. For quick edits – a godsend.
3. Sky enhancement: yes, it has become more dramatic
The last function from the review is intelligent sky enhancement. It is designed for landscape shots and allows you to highlight and enhance the sky without interfering with the rest of the photo.
📌 My test:
In a photo with mountains and a slightly burnt sky, Lightroom offered a mask, accurately outlining the clouds and mountain line. By adding a little contrast and blue, the frame literally “came to life”.
Suitable for landscape and travel photos. You can make a photo visually stronger in just a couple of clicks.
The review I read was a great push to try something I hadn’t gotten around to on my own. And you know what, the features really work. Automation in Lightroom has reached a new level: now the program doesn’t just help, it takes over the routine.
If you, like me, have previously used only basic tools, I recommend trying these features in practice. Even if you’re not an Adobe fan, it’s worth acknowledging: Lightroom is getting smarter — and you can feel it right away.
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