Masking Workflow Limitations – Object Selection, People Detection, and Partial Subject Accuracy Issues

📋 Description

When working with Lightroom in high-volume professional workflows (such as weddings and events), the current masking tools introduce significant inefficiencies due to limitations in object selection, person detection, and mask reusability.

These issues are not isolated bugs but consistent limitations that slow down editing and require repetitive manual corrections.

🔁 Steps to Reproduce

1. Open an image with multiple subjects.
2. Use “Select People” and apply masks to each detected person.
3. Observe that:
   • Some subjects are only partially selected (missing hair, limbs, clothing areas).
4. Use “Select Object” on a person or part of a subject.
5. Try selecting partial elements (e.g., arm, leg, shoulder).
6. Attempt to reuse or copy the same object selection across multiple masks.

❌ Actual Result

• Person detection is inconsistent; some subjects are only partially selected.
• “Select Object” cannot reliably isolate partial body elements (arms, hands, legs, etc.).
• Object selections cannot be copied or reused across masks.
• Additional unwanted areas (background or other people) are sometimes included in selections.
• Significant manual correction is required using Brush or multiple selections.

✅ Expected Result

• Accurate and consistent full-body person detection (including hair, clothing, and limbs).
• Ability to precisely select partial body elements using “Select Object.”
• Option to copy/paste object selections across masks (similar to Brush behavior).
• Cleaner separation between subjects and background elements.
• Reduced need for manual corrections.

💼 Impact on Workflow

These limitations create a major bottleneck in professional editing workflows.

When working with large batches of images:

• Editing time increases significantly
• Workflow becomes repetitive and inefficient
• Delivery times are harder to meet
• Overall user experience becomes stressful and less productive

High-end cameras and lenses produce excellent image quality, but the editing process does not currently match that level of performance.

📌 Additional Notes

This is especially critical for photographers handling high-volume projects (weddings, events, etc.), where speed and consistency are essential.

Improving these areas would significantly enhance Lightroom’s usability for professional users.