I use a lot of masks in my post-processing. And I love the advancements in AI masking. They let me spend more time thinking about the look I want for my images and less time wading through the mechanics of masking. AI masking tools in Lightroom keep getting better and better. Masks that were once very complex are far more approachable.

However … you the photographer still need to bring your intelligence to your post-processing. Shaping light and depth in a landscape photo is not solely the domain of AI masking. Leverage the AI masks, use their power, yet also temper them with your human smarts. Do this, and you’ll make beautiful natural-looking images with your own signature style.

Processing this image of Thor’s Hammer in Bryce National Park is one of my recent photos that reminded me of the need to think about light and think about depth when post-processing. The tools don’t do it all just yet.