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Replicating ACR's New Bidirectional Gradient in Lightroom Classic

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Replicating ACR’s New Bidirectional Gradient in Lightroom Classic

Clip title: How to get the NEW gradient in Lightroom Classic, 2 min TIP Author / channel: photoshopCAFE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHOGHmkN_s8

Summary

This video tutorial, presented by Colin Smith of PhotoshopCAFE, addresses the new “bidirectional gradient” feature recently added to Adobe Camera Raw and demonstrates how to achieve the same effect in Lightroom Classic, despite the latter not having an explicit bidirectional option. Smith highlights that many users are complaining about this perceived limitation, but he assures viewers it’s easily replicable in Lightroom.

The tutorial first showcases the bidirectional gradient in Adobe Camera Raw (accessed via Photoshop’s Filter menu). After selecting the Masks panel and choosing a Linear Gradient, Smith demonstrates how checking the “Bidirectional” box transforms the linear gradient into a central strip, fading out on both sides. He then applies adjustments like increased exposure and warmer color temperature to create a striking “shaft of light” effect through the cloudy sky, emphasizing the utility of this masking method for creative photo editing.

Next, Smith moves to Lightroom Classic to demonstrate how to replicate this effect. Although Lightroom lacks the “Bidirectional” checkbox, the process is straightforward: first, a linear gradient is drawn from one direction (e.g., top-down), masking a section of the image. Crucially, a second linear gradient is then added to the existing mask using the “Subtract” option, drawn from the opposite direction (e.g., bottom-up). This combination effectively cancels out the gradient’s effect on the outer edges, leaving only the central, bidirectional strip active.

In conclusion, Colin Smith successfully debunks the misconception that the bidirectional gradient effect is exclusive to Camera Raw. By cleverly utilizing two linear gradients and the “Subtract” function in Lightroom Classic, photographers can achieve identical results, such as the dramatic “shaft of light” demonstrated in the video. The takeaway is that while the tools might differ slightly between Adobe applications, understanding their underlying masking capabilities allows users to achieve desired creative effects across the ecosystem.

Video Description & Links

Description

How to get bidirectional gradient in Lightroom Classic, quick 2 min tip with Colin Smith ► THE GEAR I USE: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/my-recommended-gear-colin-smith/ci/56280 ► https://www.amazon.com/shop/photoshopcafe ► THE MUSIC I USE: http://share.epidemicsound.com/photoshopcafe ► WEB: https://photoshopcafe.com #lightroom howto CommunityxAdobe adobepartner

Tags

photography, colin smith, photoshopcafe, colin smith tutorial, photoshopcafe tutorial, lightroom photo editing, lightroom classic, adobe lightroom, lightroom editing, lightroom tutorial, adobe photoshop lightroom, lightroom masking, new gradient in lightroom, bidirectional gradient, lightroom tip, lightroom classic tip

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