Use the Graduated Filter

Enhance your exposures in Lightroom Classic CC

1 Find the Graduated Filter

Open your image in Lightroom Classic and navigate to the Develop Module in the top menu. Above the Basic Panel, you’ll see the rectangular shape of the Graduated Filter. Alternatively, you can simply press M on your keyboard.

2 Define your selection

For the most realistic look, begin your selection from the edge of your image, drawing inwards until you’ve covered the area you want to affect. Generally speaking, the larger your selection is, the subtler the Graduated Filter effect will be.

3 Make your adjustments

The Graduated Filter has its own panel of adjustment sliders, including Exposure, Temperature, Saturation and more. To bring out details in an overexposed sky, drag the Exposure and Highlights sliders to the left to darken the selected area.

4 Edit your selection

To shrink or enlarge your original selection, move the top or bottom line. To move the entire area, drag the central selection point around the image. Alternatively, you can also tilt the selection area by clicking and dragging the central line.

5 Make another selection

If you want to edit another area of your image (such as an underexposed foreground), you just need to click on the New option in the Mask area of the Graduated Filter Panel (found directly above the adjustment sliders).

6 Check your edits

Make sure that your photo looks natural by toggling the Turn Off Graduated Filter button. To tone a Graduated Filter effect down, just click on its central point to bring up the adjustment sliders again.