Lightroom Classic Feature Summary - (October 2023 release)

Learn about major new features and enhancements in the October 2023 release of Adobe Lightroom Classic (version 13.0).

Add Blur and Bokeh effects using Lens Blur

Photo of kids with lens blur effect
Focus on what matters with Lens Blur

Blur any image to make it seem like it's been taken with a wide aperture lens. Lens Blur easily alters the background or foreground of your images by making a depth map using Adobe Sensei. Follow the steps to apply Lens Blur.

  1. In the Develop module, select Lens Blur > Apply.

  2. Select one of the Bokeh effects you'd like to apply.

    Circle

    Modern circular lens

    Bubble

    Standard circular shape with over-correcter spherical aberration

    5-blade

    Penta effect, commonly seen in vintage lenses

    Ring

    Commonly seen in reflex or mirror lenses, also known as "Doughnut"

    Cat Eye

    Typically caused by optical vignetting in certain lenses

    Bokeh selection in Lens Blur
    Blur and Bokeh panel in Lightroom Classic.

  3. Use the Blur Amount and Boost sliders to adjust the intensity of the blur and the Bokeh effect, respectively.

  4. Use the Focal Range slider to choose the depth you want to focus on. Select Visualise Depth to view the depth map in cool and warm tones.

    Focal range slider
    The Visualize Depth option to let you view the depth map range in the photo

  5. Refine the depth map further by selecting Focus and brushing over the areas you want to stay in focus, or select Blur and brush over the areas you want to blur out.

    Focus and Blur
    Select Focus or Blur and brush to refine the selection.

    Note:

    Lens Blur is an Early Access feature available to all users by default. Given that the product is under development, Presets, Copy/Paste Settings, and Sync/Auto-Sync Settings workflows are not currently supported. 

    For more details, see Lens Blur in Lightroom Classic

Edit and export in HDR

Edit, display, and save images in High Dynamic Range (HDR) to experience increased depth with brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and vivid colors. You can now view and edit HDR images with compatible HDR displays. HDR displays offer greater brightness and contrast than Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) displays. Images optimized for HDR displays result in greater impact and give a sense of realism.

HDR can easily be turned on in the Basic panel of the Develop module. Learn more about how to edit, save, and work with HDR in Lightroom Classic. 

HDR button in Basic Panel
The HDR option in Lightroom Classic to view HDR data in an image.

Edit colors with more precision using Point Color

Adjust individual colors with professional-grade precision, including the ability to control the range across HueSaturation, and LuminancePoint Color can also be used with Masking, giving greater control over specific color.

  1. Select Develop > Color Mixer > Point Color.

  2. Use the dropper to select a color from the image or color selector from the color box. A swatch of the selected color will be created next to the dropper.

    Tip:

    Right-click a swatch for options to delete the selected swatch or all swatches. You can create and store up to eight swatches at a time.

  3. Drag the circle in the color field and the vertical slider to change the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance of the selected color.

    Point Color Box
    Hold and drag the circle to make adjustments in color

    • To change the Hue, click on the color field and simultaneously hold the Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows) key while dragging the pointer along the desired path.
    • To change the Saturation, click on the color field and simultaneously hold Shift while dragging the pointer along the desired path.
    • For precise movement, click on the color field while simultaneously holding Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows) and drag along the desired path.
  4. Refine the changed color further by adjusting the Hue ShiftSaturation. Shift, and Luminance. Shift sliders.

    Tip:

    Select Visualise Range to view the areas affected by the current color selection. 

  5. Use the Range slider to control the range of the selected color, you can control the Hue RangeSaturation Range, and Luminance Range independently to control every aspect of color correction. To narrow the color range by:-

    • Select and adjust the arrow on either end of the hue, saturation, and luminance ranges.
    • Adjust the slider box.
    • Drag and expand or contract the slider box.
    Point color range screenshot
    Refine color range panel in Lightroom Classic

To reset settings, hold the Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) key and select Reset.

Get work done faster with other performance improvements

  • Faster image conversion to DNG.
  • Improved performance of metadata operations like reading, writing, and metadata status.
  • Faster response in XMP writing and reading.
  • Improved stability and performance of folder move operations and folder delete operations.
  • Faster image loading in the Develop loupe view during normal, fast, and turbo walk or random image selection.

Support for new cameras and lenses

Find newly added cameras and lenses in the full list of supported profiles:

Other enhancements

  • Easily filter Presets and Preset groups based by name in the Presets panel.
Filter Presets Panel
Filter Presets and Presets groups in the Presets panel

  • Quickly preview the edit history in the Develop loupe view by hovering over any history step.

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