Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 -

If you only remember one thing about Lightroom Classic 12.3, remember this: masking became magical.

Version 12.3 expanded the existing AI masking tools (introduced in late 2021) significantly. While previous versions offered "Select Subject" and "Select Sky," 12.3 introduced "Select People" and a major overhaul to "Select Objects."

Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+M / Cmd+Shift+M

How to mask:

  • Intersect / Subtract (NEW) – combine masks (e.g., Subject minus Eyes).

  • Copy/Paste masks between photos (NEW) – right-click mask → Copy, then paste in another image.

  • Adjustments within a mask:

    Example: Mask a face → reduce Texture/Clarity slightly for skin softening, increase Exposure slightly for brightening without affecting background.


    Workflow tip: Use Range Mask after drawing local tool to refine selections by color or luminance.


    The dreaded "Sync stuck at 43%" error has largely been exterminated. The new sync engine in 12.3 uses less bandwidth and recovers from network drops without requiring a database reset. Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3


    Open your Creative Cloud app. Install Lightroom Classic 12.3 today. If you don’t see it, restart your computer—your exports are waiting.

    Have you tried the Select People mask in version 12.3? Share your editing time savings in the comments below.

    Lightroom Classic 12.3 , released in April 2023, is a landmark update that introduced AI-powered noise reduction and significantly expanded the capabilities of local adjustment tools. 1. AI Denoise: The Flagship Feature The most transformative addition is AI Denoise

    , a machine-learning tool designed specifically for RAW files. Adobe Help Center Intelligent Detail Retention

    : Unlike traditional sliders that often blur fine details while removing grain, AI Denoise "rebuilds" and preserves sharp edges while eliminating luminance and color noise. Process Flow : Found in the Detail Panel Photo > Enhance ), it creates a new

    with the noise reduction baked in, allowing you to continue editing with a "clean" starting point. Hardware Demand

    : The feature is GPU-intensive; processing times vary from seconds on high-end machines to several minutes on older systems. 2. Advanced Masking Improvements

    Adobe continued its push toward AI-assisted editing by adding more granular control to the Masking panel. Adobe Help Center NEW Lightroom Classic 12.3 - AI Noise Reduction (and more)!

    Adobe Lightroom Classic version 12.3, released in April 2023, introduced several major updates focused on AI-driven performance and granular control. The most significant addition was the AI Denoise tool, which fundamentally changed how photographers handle high-ISO noise within their native workflow. Key New Features If you only remember one thing about Lightroom Classic 12

    AI Denoise: A powerful, machine-learning tool that removes noise from Bayer and X-Trans RAW files while preserving fine details that traditional sliders often smudge. It creates a new DNG file for the denoised version.

    Curves in Masking: You can now use Point Curves and Color Curves within local masks. This allows for precise, non-destructive tonal adjustments to specific parts of an image without affecting the entire frame.

    Expanded AI People Masking: The AI-powered People Masking was updated to automatically detect and mask facial hair and clothing, allowing for even more specific portrait retouching.

    Develop Panel Indicators: New "eye" and "dot" icons appear next to panels to quickly show which tools have been used to edit an image. You can toggle these icons to turn panel effects on or off.

    Photoshop Version Selection: When using the "Edit in Photoshop" command, you can now specify which version of Photoshop to open if you have multiple versions installed. Workflow and Performance New in Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 - AI Denoise

    Adobe Lightroom Classic version 12.3, released on April 18, 2023, introduced significant AI-driven features and workflow enhancements, most notably a ground-up redesign of noise reduction technology. Key Feature: AI Denoise

    The flagship update in 12.3 was AI Denoise, an AI-powered tool designed to remove noise from RAW files while preserving fine detail better than previous manual sliders.

    Mechanism: Unlike traditional luminance sliders that often "smear" details or create a plasticky look, the AI algorithm distinguishes between noise and structural details like feathers or skin texture.

    Workflow: Users can apply it via the Detail panel. It creates a new Enhanced DNG file, leaving the original RAW file untouched. Intersect / Subtract (NEW) – combine masks (e

    Performance: On mid-range hardware (e.g., GTX 1060), denoising a single high-resolution image takes approximately 60 to 70 seconds.

    Best Practices: Expert tests suggest a "sweet spot" setting between 40 and 60 for the best balance of cleanliness and sharpness. Additional Enhancements

    Masking Improvements: New AI categories for masking people allow for precise, automatic selection of facial hair and clothing.

    Tone Curve in Masking: Support was added for using the Curve tool within local masking, providing much finer control over contrast and color in specific parts of an image.

    Edit Indicators: The interface now provides a quick visual indication of which specific tools (e.g., Crop, Healing, Masking) have been used on an image.

    Workflow Tools: Support for opening photos as Smart Object Layers in Photoshop was streamlined. Device and Lens Support

    The update added support for several new cameras and lenses, including models from Sigma and Sony. Technical Specifications Release Date April 18, 2023 Platform Windows, macOS Model Subscription-based Replaces Version 12.2 Successor Version 12.4 (released June 2023) New in Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 - AI Denoise

    While the changelog was extensive, three major pillars define Lightroom Classic 12.3.