How to Use AI-Driven Landscape Masking in Adobe Photoshop’s Camera Raw

Adobe Photoshop’s Camera Raw, updated in April 2025 (version 26.6 and later), introduced AI-Driven Landscape Masking, a game-changing feature powered by Adobe Sensei AI. This tool simplifies editing landscape photos by automatically identifying and masking elements like sky, vegetation, architecture, and ground.

Whether you’re a photographer or designer, this tutorial will guide you through using this feature to enhance your images efficiently.

Prerequisites

• Adobe Photoshop 26.8.1 or later (Creative Cloud subscription required).
• A raw or compatible image file (e.g., .CR2, .DNG, .JPEG).
• Basic familiarity with Photoshop and Camera Raw.

Tutorial

Step 1: Open Your Image in Camera Raw

1. Launch Photoshop: Open Adobe Photoshop (version 26.8.1 or later).
2. Access Camera Raw:
   • In Photoshop, go to File > Open and select a raw image (e.g., .CR2, .DNG) or a compatible file like JPEG.
   • Alternatively, use Adobe Bridge, right-click the image, and choose Open in Camera Raw.
   • For non-raw images in Photoshop, go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter.

Tip: Use raw files for maximum editing flexibility, as they retain more image data.

Step 2: Navigate to the Masking Panel

1. In the Camera Raw interface, locate the Masking tool on the right-hand toolbar (icon: a circle with a dotted outline, or press Shift + M).
2. Click the Masking icon to open the Masking panel.

Tip: Zoom in on your image (Ctrl/Cmd +) to better assess mask accuracy later.

Step 3: Activate AI-Driven Landscape Masking

1. In the Masking panel, click Create New Mask and select Landscape from the dropdown.
2. The AI analyses the image and generates masks for elements like Sky, Vegetation, Architecture, and Natural/Artificial Ground.
3. Masks appear as labelled overlays in the panel (e.g., “Sky,” “Trees”).

Tip: If the AI misses an element (e.g., a small building), try re-running the Landscape Masking tool or manually refining in Step 5.

Step 4: Apply Adjustments to Masks

1. Select a mask (e.g., Sky) in the Masking panel.
2. Use the adjustment sliders (e.g., Exposure, Contrast, Saturation) to enhance the selected element:
   • For Sky, increase Saturation and Warmth for a vibrant sunset.
   • For Vegetation, boost Clarity and Vibrance for richer textures.
   • For Architecture, adjust Exposure to balance lighting.
3. Repeat for other masks as needed.

Trick: Use the Show Overlay toggle (in the Masking panel) to preview mask boundaries while editing.

Step 5: Refine Masks (If Needed)

1. If the AI’s selection isn’t perfect (e.g., sky bleeding into trees), select the mask and click Add or Subtract.
2. Use tools like:
   • Brush: Paint to add or remove areas.
   • Gradient: Apply a gradual mask for smooth transitions.
   • Range Mask: Refine based on colour or luminance.
3. Adjust the Feather, Density, or Flow sliders for smoother edges.

Trick: Hold Alt/Option while brushing to toggle between adding and subtracting for faster refinements.

Step 6: Combine Masks for Creative Effects

1. Create additional masks for complex edits (e.g., a second sky mask for a different adjustment).
2. Combine masks using Intersect or Subtract options to target specific areas (e.g., only clouds in the sky).
3. Experiment with global adjustments after masking to balance the image.

Tip: Save your Camera Raw settings as a preset (via the Presets panel) to reuse on similar images.

Step 7: Save and Export

1. Click OK in Camera Raw to apply changes and return to Photoshop (or save directly from Bridge).
2. In Photoshop, go to File > Save As and choose a format (e.g., PSD to preserve layers, JPEG for sharing).
3. For web use, export via File > Export > Export As and select AVIF or JPEG XL for smaller file sizes.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Optimise Performance: For faster AI processing, ensure your system meets Adobe’s recommended specs (16GB RAM, modern GPU). Close other apps to free up resources.
• Batch Editing: Apply the same masks to multiple images in Bridge by syncing settings (select images, right-click, Develop Settings > Copy Settings, then Paste Settings).
• Non-Destructive Workflow: Always work in Camera Raw’s non-destructive environment to preserve your original image.
• Experiment with AI: Test the tool on various landscapes (e.g., urban parks, coastal scenes) to understand its strengths and limitations.
• Check Mask Accuracy: Toggle the mask overlay frequently to ensure selections align with your vision.

Troubleshooting

• AI Misses Elements: If the AI fails to detect an element, try increasing image contrast before masking or manually create a mask using the Brush tool.
• Slow Performance: Update Photoshop and your GPU drivers. Disable cloud processing in Camera Raw preferences if lag persists.
• Subscription Issues: Ensure your Creative Cloud subscription is active, as AI features require cloud access and generative credits.

Conclusion

AI-Driven Landscape Masking in Camera Raw transforms landscape photo editing by automating complex selections with Adobe Sensei AI.

By following this tutorial, you can enhance skies, vegetation, and architecture with precision and creativity. Practice on diverse images to master this tool and elevate your photography workflow.

Further Readings

• How to Make Perfect Hair Selection with AI Masking in Photoshop
• How to Use Photoshop’s AI Content-Aware Crop for Perfect Image Transformation