ON1 Photo RAW 2026: Masks and adjustments tutorial

This ON1 Photo RAW 2026 tutorial explains the difference between selecting an area and changing its appearance. The speaker describes a mask as a selection of image pixels, while an adjustment holds the values controlled by sliders, such as exposure. The presenter uses the automatic Subject selection to create a person mask, then increases exposure without applying the same change to the surrounding image.

The speaker identifies a source of confusion in ON1: choosing Subject under Add Adjustment creates both a mask and an adjustment module. Clicking the thumbnail beside the adjustment opens the masking options. Within those properties, the target mask combines the individual mask layers. Pressing O displays that combined selection over the image; the tutorial uses a purple color overlay and briefly discusses the grayscale view.

The two plus buttons have different purposes. The one under Mask Layers extends the selection for the existing adjustment. The speaker adds a brush layer and paints over columns so they receive the same exposure change as the subject. The More button under Add Adjustment creates a separate adjustment with its own mask.

The tutorial also demonstrates toggling mask layers to inspect their contribution. Before painting with another brush, the speaker checks for a light gray outline around the intended layer. Selecting the wrong layer would put the brush strokes into a different part of the mask structure.