This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,038, Feb. 10, 2026. Today's theme is, "Lightroom Mobile's Insane Scene Enhance Tool for Auto Masking." I'm Derrick Story.
Regardless of which Lightroom you have, it has impressive auto masking features. Classic and Desktop versions let you choose between basic elements like Subject, Sky, and background. But the Mobile version simplifies this even more with its Scene Enhance feature. And that's our top story for this week. I hope you enjoy the show.
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Lightroom Mobile's Insane Scene Enhance Tool for Auto Masking
I stumbled into Scene Enhance on my iPad mini by tapping on the Magic Wand and exploring the panel that appeared after doing so. It had the auto-masking categories that I knew from Desktop and Classic. But there was a category that I did not recognize: Enhance.
I tapped on it, and the application commenced to analyze my photo, then presented me with categories based on its analysis. Things like Subject, Background, Sky, Water, Architecture, Natural Ground, and more depending on the elements in the picture.
With each element there was an accompanying enhance slider that allowed for adjustment in either direction. For example, I could deepen the sky color and contrast, or I could wash it out.
Lightroom automatically created a mask for each of these elements. Adjusting each one individually provided me with a quick start to the picture edit. After hitting the Apply button, I could move on to other adjustments, such at Texture, Clarity, Sharpening, etc.
What's really interesting, however, is that if I tap on the Masking icon in the toolbar, all of those masks are available there for further editing. So for the water element, I could decrease the Clarity for a more dreamy effect.
I could also fine-tune the mask with a brush, and apply any number of other effects. What's equally impressive, is that I can hop over to Lightroom Desktop and continue working on the image, with all of my masks present.
This is just crazy stuff. And for those of us who enjoy image editing on the iPad with an Apple Pencil, this is remarkably powerful.
This Week in the News
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Virtual Camera Club News
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
This week I want to feature the Becoming a More Creative Photographer online workshop. It's easy to study the technical aspects of photography to improve your camera skills. There are endless books, videos, classes, etc that cover aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but what about creativity? What techniques can we employ in order to create more compelling and expressive photos? This course will seek to answer those questions. The first session is on March 5, 2026. Online participation begins a week before that.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
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