Batch Masking in Lightroom: Speed Up Your Underwater Edits with AI (2025 Update)
Editing underwater images can often feel like an intricate dance, filled with nuances that demand our attention. One of the most time-consuming aspects of this art is performing repetitive local adjustments. Whether you are trying to enhance the visibility of a diver, rectify the challenges posed by murky water, or isolate the stunning colors of vibrant coral reefs, these edits can become quite laborious, mainly when they must be applied to a large batch of images—think 30, 50, or even 100 images per dive. This repetitive process can significantly impact your workflow, leading to frustration and fatigue.
Fortunately, with the recent updates in Adobe Lightroom Classic v14.1 and v14.2, we have been introduced to a revolutionary time-saving feature: Batch Masking with AI Recalculation. This exciting advancement empowers photographers to streamline their editing process, enabling quicker adjustments across multiple images without compromising quality.
Imagine this: instead of painstakingly editing each photo individually, you can now apply a set of adjustments to one image and have the software intelligently recalculate and apply similar changes across your entire batch. This not only saves you countless hours of editing time but also ensures consistency in your edits, giving your collection a cohesive feel.
In this post, I’d like to take you on a journey through this groundbreaking feature and demonstrate how it can dramatically enhance your workflow. I will share practical examples derived from my own underwater post-processing experiences, illustrating just how effective this tool can be. Plus, to ensure your editing remains as efficient and fluid as possible, I’ll include handy keyboard shortcuts throughout the discussion. So, let’s dive in and explore how Batch Masking with AI Recalculation can help you get back to enjoying your underwater adventures sooner!
🧠 What is Batch Masking in Lightroom?
Batch Masking enables you to apply AI-driven masks (such as Select Subject, Select Background, or Select People) to a single image and then sync those masks to multiple other photos, where Lightroom recalculates and adapts the mask for each new composition.
In underwater editing, this is game-changing. Why? Because AI masks can now track fish, divers, coral, or wrecks automatically, saving you from having to reselect them manually in every frame.
🛠 Step-by-Step: Batch Masking in Lightroom Classic v14.1–14.2
Step 1: Set Up Your Base Image
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Import your images and navigate to the one you want to edit first.
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Press D to enter the Develop Module.
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Press Shift + W to open the Masking Panel.
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Select an AI mask (e.g., Select Subject, Select People, or Select Background).
🔑 Shortcut Summary:
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Develop Module = D
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Masking Panel = Shift + W
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Show/Hide Mask Overlay = O
Step 2: Refine the Mask
Once your mask is applied:
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Use the Add or Subtract options in the Masking Panel to include or exclude specific areas.
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Press K to activate the Brush Tool for manual refinement.
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Use the [ and ] keys to adjust brush size.
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Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) to erase while brushing.
Step 3: Apply Local Adjustments
Enhance the selected area using sliders in the right-hand panel. Some popular underwater edits include:
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Exposure: +0.75
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Texture: +20
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Clarity: +15
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Saturation: +25
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Temp/Tint: +30 / +10 (especially useful for blue/green color correction)
💡 Want to quickly reset a slider? Double-click its name.
Step 4: Batch Sync the Mask
Now you’re ready to apply this setup across multiple images.
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In the Filmstrip, select all similar images using Shift + Click.
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Ensure the image you edited is the last one clicked (this becomes the source).
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Press Ctrl + Shift + S (Cmd + Shift + S on Mac) to open the Sync Settings Dialog.
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Check the box for “Masks” (and any other settings you want to sync).
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Click Synchronize.
Lightroom will recalculate and reapply the mask to each image using its AI engine, automatically tailoring the mask to the new content.
🐠 Real-World Examples for Oceanic Explorers
Example 1: Schooling Fish at 20–30 Feet
Use Select Subject to isolate the fish from the background. (Shift + W → Select Subject)
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Add a second mask with Select Background and apply Dehaze (+15) and Temp (-10).
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Batch sync across burst images from a reef scene.
⏱ Time saved: 12-image burst corrected in 90 seconds.
Example 2: Diver in a Swim-Through at 65 Feet
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Use Select People → Face + Clothing (Shift + W).
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Apply:
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Exposure +1.00
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Temp +50
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Saturation +15
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Use K for a Brush Mask on the dive light spill and lower Highlights.
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Sync across a short sequence of 5 diver shots using Ctrl + Shift + S.
🎯 Want to check your mask structure before syncing? Click the three-dot menu on the mask and choose “Rename” it (e.g., “Diver Correction”).
Example 3: Macro Nudibranch at 12 Feet
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Use the Brush Tool (K) to mask the nudibranch.
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Add:
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Texture +40
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Sharpness +30
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Saturation +20
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Apply to similarly composed shots via Ctrl + Shift + S.
💡 Shortcut for quick Mask duplication? Hover over a mask and press Ctrl + C, then Ctrl + V in a new image.
🧪 What’s New in Lightroom Classic v14.2 (May 2025)
Adobe continues to enhance the underwater editing experience with smart updates. Here's what's new in v14.2:
✔️ Improved AI Recalculation Logic
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More accurate edge detection for divers, gear, fish, and coral—even with backscatter.
✔️ New Mask Sync Dialog
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Clearer checkboxes and tooltips help you verify what's being synced.
✔️ Beta: “Select Water” Mask
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Currently in early release, but promising for isolating open-water backgrounds.
✔️ Faster GPU-Accelerated Masking
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Recalculation time reduced by 40% over v14.0.
🎯 To check your version:
Go to Help > System Info, then confirm:
Lightroom Classic version: 14.2 [Release]
🎯 Why This Matters for Underwater Photographers
Let’s break it down:
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| ✅ Save time | Cut editing time by 30–70% |
| ✅ Stay consistent | Uniform look across dives |
| ✅ Boost quality | Focus on refinements, not grunt work |
| ✅ Reduce fatigue | Fewer repetitive steps = more creative energy |
And the best part? Lightroom’s AI does most of the heavy lifting - you still control the creative vision.
🧭 Final Thoughts from the Ocean Floor
In Lightroom Classic v14.2, Batch Masking represents not merely an update but a comprehensive enhancement to the editing experience, mainly aimed at underwater photographers. This exciting feature brings a new level of convenience and functionality that can significantly transform your workflow. Whether you’re making quick adjustments for diver images or fine-tuning details in macro shots, Batch Masking empowers you to work not only faster but also more efficiently and creatively.
Imagine being able to alter multiple images simultaneously without sacrificing the quality of your edits. Batch Masking enables you to apply adjustments seamlessly across a series of photos, saving you valuable time—ideal for those who frequently work with large sets of underwater images. With this feature, you can quickly adapt to both minor adjustments and extensive editing needs with just a few clicks.
Moreover, by combining Batch Masking with your personalized depth-based color profiles, you can genuinely elevate your editing game. These profiles enable you to achieve vibrant colors that are often lost in underwater environments. Coupled with the innovative AI-driven backscatter removal technology, you can effortlessly eliminate unwanted particles from your images, ensuring that the focal point remains sharp and captivating.
Additionally, the intelligent keywording system integrated into Lightroom facilitates a smoother organization process for your projects. With effective tagging options, you can effortlessly sort and retrieve your work based on various criteria, making your editing journey as enjoyable as possible.
Together, these tools come to create a studio-grade editing setup right within the comfort of your dive shack. No longer do you need to rely on bulky equipment or complex software—everything you need for your underwater photography is readily accessible, user-friendly, and designed with your unique needs in mind. Dive into your editing process with confidence, knowing that Lightroom Classic v14.2 has your back, enabling you to produce stunning underwater imagery that truly reflects the beauty of the ocean, all while enjoying a seamless editing experience!
📣 What’s Your Experience with Batch Masking?
Have you tried it on a recent dive trip? Got a before/after story to share? Tag me with your edits using #RobertHerbPhotography or drop a comment below.
📬Want More?
I’m creating an online training program specifically designed for underwater enthusiasts who want to refine their post-processing skills using Lightroom. Email me at bob@robertherb.com or visit the Training Page to join the early access list.
Follow my blog for weekly tips at Robert Herb Blog and share your edits with #RobertHerbPhotography—I’d love to see how you bring your images to life!
- 💡 Read more Lightroom tips and get weekly updates when new blogs are published at the Robert Herb Blog.
- 💡 Join my upcoming online training program – Learn to enhance your underwater shots with Adobe Lightroom! Sign up for a FREE "Before & After" Gallery.
- 💡 Share your processed photos on social media using #RobertHerbPhotography.
- 💡 Questions or want help with your Lightroom workflow? Email me at bob@robertherb.com
Written by Robert Herb – Empowering underwater photographers to capture and enhance the beauty of our oceans.
Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into underwater photography. Let’s dive deeper into the art and craft of capturing the marine world! If you have any comments or suggestions, I’d love to hear them.
Get ready for an exciting underwater photography adventure! For more details on my upcoming online training course, check out my "Training" page at RobertHerb.com or email me at bob@robertherb.com.
Sincerely,
Bob Herb
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