Using the Linear Gradient Tool

While the Develop tools allow you to make a variety of adjustments to your photos, sometimes you want these effects to gradually progress across your photo. You can adjust the Exposure, Saturation, Fill Light, Contrast, Clarity, Sharpness, Vibrance, Temperature, Tint, Color Strength, and Hue in one or a series of gradients over your photo. For example, instead of applying exposure adjustments across an entire photo, you may want them to be stronger in some areas and weaker or absent from others.

You can save edits you make with the gradient tool as a preset for future use.

To Use the Gradient Tool:

1. In Develop mode, on the Tune or Detail tab, click the Gradient button at the top of the pane to open the control panel and enter gradient mode. Or, toggle the Gradient panel open and closed with the G key.
2. Specify the gradient settings in the panel as described in the table below.
3. Position the guides on your photo. Inside the guide boxes, the gradient is transitioning. On either side of the boxes, the effect being applied by the Gradient tool is at full strength or not applied at all. To make this clearer, check the Show gradient mask checkbox. Move the boxes to define where the effect will begin or end. Hold down the Shift key while positioning the effect to lock to the nearest 45° angle, for straightness. Hold down the Command key while using the Gradient Tool to activate the pan feature.
   
   
4. Adjust the sliders to get the effect you want.

To apply another mask, (up to 24 are available), click the + on the bottom left of the panel and select a masking option. A new icon (related to the type of mask selected) will appear in the Masks section. Your currently selected mask will be outlined in blue. You can reselect any of the masks at any given time by clicking its respective icon.

To convert a Linear Gradient mask into a brush mask, right-click on the Linear Gradient mask at the bottom of the masking pane, and select Convert to brush mask.


5. Press Save As or Done.

Gradient Tool Options

Show gradient mask

When this option is checked, your gradient mask will be displayed in the color shown. Alternatively, hold down the S key to see the mask on the image. Click the color field to select another display color.

Masking Toolbar

At the bottom of the Masking group is the Masking Toolbar. This includes options for:

Add a new mask	Brings up a menu to select a new mask type to apply.
Delete the currently selected mask	Deletes the currently selected mask.
Copy the currently selected mask	Copies the currently selected mask.
Paste mask	Pastes the currently copied mask.
Duplicate the currently selected mask	Creates a duplicate mask of the currently selected mask.
Invert the currently selected mask	Inverts the currently selected mask.
Enable/Disable the currently selected mask	Enable or disable the ability to see the currently selected mask.
Clear the currently selected mask	Deselects the currently selected mask.