Editing a Photo in Under 2 Minutes using Capture One’s Magic Brush

Editing a Photo in Under 2 Minutes using Capture One’s Magic Brush

Post-production

One of the most overlooked features of RAW processing software is the ability to create masks based on color values. Lightroom has recently introduced Range Masks, a feature that I constantly use on my edits. As a response, Capture One has come up with a new feature in the latest software update: the Magic Brush.
But, how good is it? Spoiler alert: Ridiculously good!

While writing this post I realized that it would be better to just show it on video, so I recorded my screen. Check out the real-time process in the video below (sorry for the lack of audio) :

Just like that, I have 3 masks to control different parts of the image. It just took 3 strokes to select the sky, one for the coat and two for the pavement. Here are individual screenshots of the masks created automatically:

And here is a before / after comparison:

I am positively surprised by C1’S Magic Brush. It is a feature that should definitely inspire Lightroom to update its existing Range Masks. Here is a summary of the pros and cons I found about the Magic Brush:

  • Like:
  • It’s precision is just unbelievable.
  • Create masks in seconds.
  • Layers: Every adjustment layer let you modify ALL of the image parameters (Exposure, Temp, Color, Sharpness, etc.)
  • Dislike:
  • Some tool adjustments are not retroactive: it is not possible to modify the tolerance or refine the edge once you have drawn a mask. (Because of the fast calculation times this is not much of an issue, as it is easy and fast to redo a mask)

Have you tried this new feature? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

I lead a double life as an architect and architectural photographer based in Mexico City, a metropolis full of contrast. I'm interested in proportion systems, asymmetry and maps.
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