Using the Linear Gradient Tool

While the Develop tools allow for a variety of adjustments to be made to photos, sometimes it is desirable to have these effects gradually progress across a photo. Adjust the Exposure, Saturation, Vibrance, Temperature, Tint, Fill Light, Contrast, Clarity, and Color Strength, as well as Color EQ, Tone Curves, and Sharpness in one or a series of gradients over a photo. For example, instead of applying exposure adjustments across an entire photo, use the Linear Gradient tool to have them be stronger in some areas and weaker or absent from others.

Linear Gradient Tool

The Linear Gradient tool button is located at the top of Tune and Detail tabs.

To use the Linear Gradient tool:

1. In the Develop Tools pane, in the Tune or Detail tab, click the Gradient button at the top of the pane to open the Gradient 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 the photo. Inside the guide boxes, the gradient is transitioning. On either side of the boxes, the effect being applied by the Linear Gradient tool is at full strength or not applied at all. To make this clearer, enable 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.
4. Adjust the sliders to get the desired effect.

To apply another gradient, (up to eight are available), select the next gradient in the sequence at the bottom of the panel. The box above the gradient will become enabled. The checkmarks represent the activated gradients, while the selected gradient icon (highlighted in blue) represents the currently enabled gradient. Return to any of the gradients at any given time by selecting its respective gradient icon. A blue gradient represents a gradient that has been used. Disable or re-enable any gradient by disabling or re-enabling its respective checkbox.

5. Click Apply or Done.

Linear Gradient Tool Options

Pixel Targeting		Opens the Pixel Targeting dialog (see Pixel Targeting for more details).
Show gradient mask		When this option is enabled, the gradient mask will be displayed in the color shown. Alternatively, hold down the S key to see the mask on the image. Click the drop-down arrow to select another display color.
Invert gradient		Toggle this option to invert the gradient. By clicking the Invert button after applying a gradient beginning at the top of the image, the gradient would instead begin at the bottom, and vice versa.

Using the Linear Gradient Tool on the Detail Tab

Sharpness	Move the slider to the right to brush on sharpness, or move the slider to the left to brush on blur.
Luminance Noise Reduction	Luminance noise is random variations of brightness, and particularly in gray areas, may appear spotted when there should be a solid color in the area of the image. Slide to the right to addLuminance Noise Reduction.
Color Noise Reduction	Color noise is random variations of color in the image. Slide to the right to addColor Noise Reduction.

To exit Gradient mode, toggle the Linear Gradient tool button.