Camera Raw Feathering and Color Grading Features (May 2026 Update)

Camera Raw Feathering and Color Grading Features (May 2026 Update)

Adobe Camera Raw's latest update introduces two powerful masking features that solve common editing problems. The new feather and edge controls help create cleaner selections around complex shapes like trees, while color grading within masks allows for precise adjustments without affecting the entire image.

These tools work exclusively in Camera Raw for now, giving ACR users a significant advantage when working with landscape photos and complex selections that require natural-looking edges.

Watch the Video

Video by Matt Kloskowski. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips

Key techniques for getting the best results with these new masking features:

  • Use "Select Sky" then invert the mask to quickly isolate foreground elements like trees and buildings
  • Combine feather and edge adjustments together rather than using either tool alone for realistic selection edges
  • Set the mask overlay to white on black when fine-tuning feather and edge settings to see exactly what's selected
  • Apply color grading to masked highlights or shadows to add warmth or coolness to specific areas without affecting the entire image
  • Check for halos around tree branches by zooming in and adjusting the edge setting inward to tighten the selection boundary

Explore more updates and techniques to enhance your photo editing workflow with these guides.

TOP New Features in Photoshop – May 2025 Update
Many Photoshop users frequently encounter common challenges such as time-consuming manual selections for complex objects, difficulties in achieving precise color adjustments across an image, or struggling with inconsistent results when removing unwanted elements like reflections. These hurdles often slow down the creative process, making it frustrating to achieve a desired professional look efficiently. This guide explains how Photoshop's latest updates introduce powerful new functionalities, i
Exploring the Latest Features in Photoshop 2025
Photoshop 2025 introduces powerful new tools designed to make creative work easier, faster, and more flexible. From fine-tuning selections to moving objects and speeding up your workflow, these features feel built for the way creators actually work. In this video, we'll show you what's new and how these updates can help you work smarter — saving time on routine tasks, giving you more control over details, and opening up new ways to bring your ideas to life. Watch the video Breaking It Down
Photoshop 2025 Top 7 New Features and Updates Explained
Photoshop 2025 brings significant improvements to everyday editing tasks with smarter AI tools, enhanced 3D capabilities, and more intuitive workflows. From automatic distraction removal to advanced generative features, these updates focus on making complex tasks faster and more accessible. The standout addition is the Substance 3D viewer, which reintroduces 3D object compositing with sophisticated lighting and material controls that weren't available in previous versions. Watch the Complete
Photoshop August 2025 Update: 6 New Features Including Enhanced Remove Tool and Harmonize
Adobe continues to transform Photoshop with powerful AI-driven features that streamline complex editing tasks. The August 2025 update introduces six significant enhancements, from an improved Remove Tool that creates cleaner selections to the revolutionary Harmonize feature that automatically matches lighting and shadows across composite elements. These updates address common workflow challenges while introducing new capabilities for collaborative projects and intelligent image processing. Wa
14 New Features in Photoshop 27.6 You Need to Know
Photoshop 27.6 brings significant updates that enhance workflow efficiency and creative possibilities. From improved reflection removal tools to smarter AI models, these features address real challenges photographers and designers face daily. This comprehensive overview covers 14 key additions, including enhanced distraction detection, new AI capabilities, and improved workspace organization tools that can streamline your editing process. Watch the Video Practical Tips Key techniques to ma
Exploring the latest features in Adobe Photoshop 2023
Adobe Photoshop continues to lead the way with its innovative tools and features. The year 2023 brings a fresh wave of updates, and in this video, Colin Smith from Photoshop Cafe will delve into the exciting features introduced recently. Renowned Photoshop expert, Colin takes us on a tour of these new additions and shows us how to make the most of them. * Adjustment Presets: Streamlining the Editing Workflow * Creating Custom Adjustment Presets: Tailoring Tools to Your Style * Revolutionizin
Photoshop 2026 New Features: AI Tools and Credit System Overview
Photoshop 2026 introduces powerful AI-driven features including advanced generative fill models, sophisticated upscaling tools, and seamless harmonization effects. These updates promise to streamline complex editing tasks while delivering professional-quality results. The software now operates on a credit-based system that divides features into standard and premium tiers, fundamentally changing how users access certain tools. Watch the Video Key Features and Practical Tips * Access the co
Photoshop 2024 Reveals Major New Tools and Enhancements
For creative professionals, Photoshop is an indispensable part of the workflow. As the leading digital imaging software, each new version from Adobe brings excitement as artists and designers anticipate how their capabilities may be expanded. In this video preview, we get a sneak peek at some of Photoshop 2024's standout new features. Elsewhere, the updated Content-Aware Fill algorithm feels even more intelligent, seamlessly replacing or removing objects, textures and colors within images. Phot
Photoshop January 2026 Update: 5 New Features Including Grain and Clarity Adjustment Layers
Photoshop's January 2026 update brings five significant features that streamline common editing tasks. The highlight is new adjustment layers for grain and clarity effects, eliminating the need to work in Camera Raw for these adjustments. The update also introduces an improved generative AI model with higher resolution output and enhanced reference image capabilities, plus a more effective Remove Tool for cleaner object removal. Watch the Video Practical Tips Here are key techniques for wo

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

How to Use Photoshop's New Offline AI Remove Tool (No Credits Required)

Photoshop's latest update introduces an offline AI-powered Remove tool that works without internet connectivity or generative credits. This on-device feature processes a 4-5GB AI model locally, enabling fast object removal while maintaining complete privacy since your images never leave your computer. The tool requires high system specifications but...

How to Use the Harmonize Tool for Advanced Photo Compositing in Photoshop 2026

The Harmonize tool transforms compositing by automatically adjusting lighting, color, and shadows to blend objects seamlessly into new backgrounds. This AI-powered feature analyzes both your subject and background, then creates realistic color bleed, reflections, and contact shadows with a single click. While the tool delivers impressive results instantly, combining it...

How to Use Split Toning and Enhanced AI Masks in Camera Raw

Adobe's latest Camera Raw update brings two powerful enhancements that transform how photographers work with masks and color grading. Split toning is now available directly within individual masks, allowing precise color control over shadows, midtones, and highlights in specific image areas. Additionally, AI masks like landscape selection and...

How to Use Harmonize and Rotate Object Tools for Better Composites in Photoshop

Creating believable composites traditionally required hours of manual perspective adjustments and color matching. Two new AI-powered tools in Photoshop change this workflow dramatically. The Rotate Object tool lets you adjust positioning and perspective with interactive 3D controls, while the Harmonize tool automatically matches lighting, shadows, and color tones to blend...

Create an Old Masters Painting Effect from a Studio Portrait in Photoshop

Old Masters paintings capture drama and character through rich textures, dramatic lighting, and warm color palettes. By combining strategic dodging and burning with selective color adjustments and composite backgrounds, you can transform a simple studio portrait into a classical painterly masterpiece. This technique focuses on enhancing natural textures rather than...

How to Use AI Depth Masking in Photoshop for Targeted Subject and Background Editing

AI depth masking revolutionizes how you select and edit specific areas of your photos by analyzing three-dimensional space rather than shapes or colors. This powerful feature uses artificial intelligence to calculate depth layers, allowing you to brighten subjects while darkening backgrounds or apply targeted adjustments based on distance from the...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.