During its MAX conference, Adobe unveiled the newest iteration of Lightroom, its widely-used application for photo management and editing. Key improvements in this release include a redesigned color grading tool—similar to those found in video editing software such as Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve—automatic versioning stored in the cloud (a feature not included in Lightroom Classic), and the ability to add graphical watermarks, alongside a variety of other minor enhancements throughout the program.

Adobe previously previewed the new color grading functionality last month, a strategic move considering the substantial change it represents for photographers accustomed to the traditional Lightroom interface. Color adjustment is a core function of Lightroom, and this update introduces a significant alteration to that process.

The new color wheels fundamentally replace the existing ‘split toning’ controls within Lightroom.

“Color Grading builds upon Split Toning—it encompasses all of Split Toning’s capabilities and expands upon them,” explains Adobe’s Max Wendt in today’s announcement. “Images already utilizing Split Toning settings will appear identical, existing Split Toning presets will function as before when applied, and users can still achieve familiar results if replicating their previous manual Split Toning workflows.”

[Speculation] It is likely that it will take some time for many Lightroom users to become proficient with these new color wheels. However, I believe this updated system offers a more intuitive experience compared to the current split toning feature, which many users found challenging.

The new color grading feature will be implemented across all platforms, including Lightroom Classic, and within Camera Raw.

Another prominent feature being introduced is graphical watermarks (supported on Windows, Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS), which complements the existing text-based watermarking options in Lightroom. This feature functions as expected, automatically applying watermarks during image sharing or export.

A significant quality-of-life improvement is the addition of auto versions (available on Windows, Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS). This simplifies the process of saving multiple versions of an image—and these versions are synchronized across devices. This allows users to easily navigate between different edits and revert to previous states as needed.

Adobe is also leveraging its artificial intelligence capabilities with a new ‘best photos’ feature, currently available on iOS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS, and the web. This feature analyzes the technical aspects of your photos, as well as factors like whether subjects have open eyes and are facing forward, and the overall composition. Users can control the number of images selected by adjusting a threshold slider.

Canon photographers utilizing Lightroom Classic will benefit from the addition of tethered live view functionality—with support for additional camera brands planned for the future. This provides a real-time feed from the camera, facilitating easier collaboration with others during shoots.