Lightroom and masks

Is this a program glitch, or is this how it should be, “ala masks, it is not advisable to use these tools”?

By @EsTaF

It’s more like, “those tools are whole-image only.” For example, camera calibration affects the basic conversion of raw data to demosaiced RGB data, so it’s uniform across the entire file. It’s not something that can be masked off, that would be like cutting up the foundation of a house…it just isn’t done, because there may be no practical justfication for it, and the cost may be too high.

HSL isn’t quite as restricted, but it might also not be what you really want to do. HSL is an older tool, and kind of a blunt instrument (for example, fixed narrow ranges). That’s why some here are recommending that for a masked version of that kind of correction, use the HSL controls in the newer Point Color feature instead, which is a lot more flexible because of its multiple color samplers, adjustable in/out ranges and range feathering for each sampler, etc. and it does work in masks, which is great.

One other comment: all the usual adjustments do continue available even while the masks panel is open, when working on that mask extent and on what adjustments it is applying. You just have to scroll down to see those other panels. So you can change the profile in Basic panel,, or use HSL sliders in the Color Mixer panel. or use the Calibration panel. All of that works globally: indiscriminately affects all areas of the photo whether inside or outside your masked selection. It is only the adjustments that are masking-specific, which are paying any attention to your masked selection.

That said, there can be a moment when both global and local adjustment panels are temporarily unavailable - at least, LrC 13.1 is currently doing that for me (windows) - not sure why. This is in Mask mode whenever the image has got zero masks listed: either because none have been created as yet, or because all masks have been deleted.

Masking is equipped with only a subset of the adjustments that are available for general editing.

Even with a Raw, there is no ability to employ a different profile in some parts of the image (and nor would this even make sense IMO) but also the WB Temperature adjustment that you can apply locally, is about making the image relatively warmer / cooler than it would otherwise have been - it does not absolutely refer to degrees Kelvin.

IOW, you are not adjusting these areas differently (replacing what the global adjustment does) you are adjusting these areas cumulatively (modifying what the global adjustment does).

Start with the basics. Please tell us what software you are using, and the version NUMBER. Do not use words like "up-to-date" or "latest", we need the version NUMBER.

When you create a mask, the camera calibration panel will (and should) disappear. It is not available for masking. In newer versions of Lightroom Classic (if indeed you are using Lightroom Classic), HSL will appear under the new Color Mixer panel (click on Mixer); or use the newer Point Color tool from the Color Mixer panel, which is (in my opinion) superior to HSL adjustments.

So not a glitch at all.