{"id":34481,"date":"2023-04-03T13:59:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T17:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/?p=34481"},"modified":"2023-04-26T13:20:19","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T17:20:19","slug":"add-a-spotlight-behind-your-subject-with-adobe-camera-raw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/newsite\/photo-effects\/add-a-spotlight-behind-your-subject-with-adobe-camera-raw\/","title":{"rendered":"Add A Spotlight Behind Your Subject With Adobe Camera Raw"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"featured-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:12px;\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/add-spotlight-behind-subject-camera-raw-853.jpg\" alt=\"How to add a spotlight behind your subject with Adobe Camera Raw\" width=\"853\" height=\"448\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"summary-novideo\">\n<p>In this tutorial, you'll learn how to add a spotlight behind the subject in your photo with just a few simple steps using Adobe Camera Raw and its amazing masking features!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"pdf-download-link\">Download the PDF: <a href=\"\/?s2member_file_download=pdf\/photo-effects\/Add_A_Spotlight_Behind_Your_Subject_With_Camera_Raw.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation\" title=\"Download PDF\">Add A Spotlight Behind Your Subject With Camera Raw<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"author\">Written by Steve Patterson.<\/div>\n<p>Adding a spotlight behind the subject in your photo is a great way to help separate your subject from the background. A spotlight can add depth and dimension to the portrait, and you can adjust the intensity of the spotlight to create drama, or change the color of the light for different moods or emotions.<\/p>\n<p>By using Camera Raw and its powerful masking features, we can add the spotlight non-destructively. And Camera Raw\u2019s intuitive image editing controls will allow us to adjust the spotlight\u2019s size, position, intensity and color quickly and easily.<\/p>\n<p>You can also use these steps to add a spotlight in Adobe Lightroom and Lightroom Classic since they share the same editing and masking features as Camera Raw. <\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of what the spotlight effect will look like when we\u2019re done.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/image-with-spotlight-effect.jpg\" alt=\"A spotlight added behind the subject in the photo using Adobe Camera Raw\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The spotlight added behind the subject using Adobe Camera Raw.<\/div>\n<p class=\"members-ad-top\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Download all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Let's get started!<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-middle { display: inline-block; width:300px; margin:6px 0px 24px 0px; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; }\n@media (max-width: 515px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n@media (max-width: 480px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- photo effects 300x250 middle responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-middle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"4216941496\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<h3>Which version of Camera Raw do I need?<\/h3>\n<p>Adobe Camera Raw updates automatically with Photoshop because it is a plugin for Photoshop rather than a standalone app. So to access all of Camera Raw\u2019s new features, make sure that your copy of Photoshop is up to date. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m using Photoshop 2023. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/adobe.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100lrdjJ\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adobe.com%2Fproducts%2Fphotoshop.html\" title=\"Get Photoshop from Adobe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">get the latest Photoshop version here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 1: Open your image in Camera Raw<\/h2>\n<p>First we need to open the image in Camera Raw. And the best way to do that is from <a href=\"\/basics\/what-is-adobe-bridge\/\" title=\"Learn more about Adobe Bridge\">Adobe Bridge<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bridge is a file browser that\u2019s tailor-made for organizing images and other assets we use in the various Creative Cloud apps. It\u2019s included with your Creative Cloud subscription and can be installed using the <a href=\"\/basics\/install-adobe-bridge-cc\/\" title=\"How to install Adobe Bridge\">Creative Cloud Desktop app<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The benefit to using Adobe Bridge is that it enables us to open not just raw files into Camera Raw but also JPEG and TIFF images. For this tutorial, I\u2019ll use a JPEG image.<\/p>\n<p>Open Adobe Bridge and navigate to where the photo is located on your computer. My image is in a folder on my Desktop.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/adobe-bridge.jpg\" alt=\"Using Adobe Bridge to navigate to the image that will be opened in Camera Raw.\" width=\"800\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Navigating to the image in Adobe Bridge.<\/div>\n<p>Then right-click on the image thumbnail and choose <strong>Open in Camera Raw<\/strong> from the menu.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/open-in-camera-raw.jpg\" alt=\"Opening the image from Adobe Bridge into Camera Raw\" width=\"796\" height=\"503\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Opening the image in Camera Raw.<\/div>\n<p>Camera Raw opens with your photo in the main preview window. The <a href=\"https:\/\/adobe.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100lrdjJ\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fstock.adobe.com%2Fimages%2Fyoung-black-woman-portrait-in-studio%2F409077760\" title=\"View image on Adobe Stock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">photo I\u2019m using<\/a> is from Adobe Stock.<\/p>\n<p>If Camera Raw did not open in Full Screen mode, press the letter <strong>F<\/strong> (for Full Screen) on your keyboard.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/image-open-in-camera-raw.jpg\" alt=\"The image opens in Adobe Camera Raw.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image opens in Adobe Camera Raw.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 2: Open Camera Raw's Masking options<\/h2>\n<p>Adding the spotlight behind your subject can be done entirely using Camera Raw\u2019s masking features. And there are two main steps. <\/p>\n<p>First we\u2019ll use a mask to add the spotlight to the image, which will place the spotlight in front of our subject. Then we\u2019ll subtract our subject from the mask so that the spotlight appears only on the background behind them.<\/p>\n<p>In the <strong>toolbar<\/strong> along the right of the Camera Raw interface, click the <strong>Masking<\/strong> icon.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/camera-raw-mask-icon.png\" alt=\"Clicking the Masking icon in the Camera Raw toolbar\" width=\"335\" height=\"278\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Masking icon in Camera Raw's toolbar.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 3: Choose Radial Gradient<\/h2>\n<p>Then in the <strong>Create New Mask<\/strong> options, choose <strong>Radial Gradient<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/choose-radial-gradient.png\" alt=\"Choosing Radial Gradient in Camera Raw's masking options\" width=\"329\" height=\"324\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing Radial Gradient.<\/div>\n<p>A separate <strong>Masking panel<\/strong> opens to the left of the main panel, while the main panel now shows all of the adjustments we can make to the area we select with the mask.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/camera-raw-masking-panel.jpg\" alt=\"The Masking panel in Adobe Camera Raw.\" width=\"602\" height=\"659\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Camera Raw's Masking panel.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/basics\/understanding-photoshop-layer-masks\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Related tutorial: Understanding layer masks in Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 4: Draw a radial gradient across your subject<\/h2>\n<p>Click in the center of your subject and begin dragging out a radial gradient selection. The area inside the selection, which is covered by a red overlay, is where we\u2019ll add the spotlight.<\/p>\n<p>You can force the radial gradient into a perfect circle by holding the <strong>Shift<\/strong> key on your keyboard as you drag.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/begin-drawing-radial-gradient.jpg\" alt=\"Using Camera Raw's Radial Gradient to draw a selection for the spotlight.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Using the Radial Gradient to draw a selection for the spotlight.<\/div>\n<p>Continue expanding the selection outward until it surrounds not only your subject but also some of the background behind them, since the background is ultimately where the spotlight will appear.<\/p>\n<p>Release your mouse button when you\u2019re done to complete the selection.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/complete-radial-gradient.jpg\" alt=\"Extending the selection into the background behind the subject in the photo.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The selection should extend into the background behind your subject.<\/div>\n<h3>How to reposition the selection after you draw it<\/h3>\n<p>If you need to reposition the radial gradient, just click on the <strong>pin<\/strong> in the center and drag it into place.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/reposition-radial-gradient.jpg\" alt=\"Repositioning the Radial Gradient.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Dragging the pin to move the selection further down in the image.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 5: Drag the Exposure slider to brighten the spotlight<\/h2>\n<p>To create the spotlight effect, drag the <strong>Exposure<\/strong> slider (found in the <strong>Light<\/strong> section of Camera Raw's main panel) to the right to increase the brightness of the selected area.<\/p>\n<p>The red overlay will disappear as soon as you start dragging.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/drag-exposure-slider.png\" alt=\"Creating the spotlight effect by increasing the exposure of the selected area.\" width=\"329\" height=\"194\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Creating the spotlight by increasing the Exposure value.<\/div>\n<p>Notice that along with the background, we are also increasing the brightness of our subject. But don\u2019t worry about that for now. Just increase the Exposure value until the background behind your subject is bright enough.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/exposure-brightens-subject.jpg\" alt=\"Brightening the background also brightens the subject in the photo.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Brightening the background also brightens our subject.<\/div>\n<h3>How to toggle the pin on and off<\/h3>\n<p>To temporarily hide the pin in the center of the selection as well as the outline surrounding it, press the letter <strong>V<\/strong> on your keyboard to toggle the pin on and off. This lets you view the result without any distractions.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/hide-mask-pins.jpg\" alt=\"Hiding the Radian Gradient pin to view the image without distractions.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Hiding the Radial Gradient pin and outline.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 6: Click the Subtract button in the Masking panel<\/h2>\n<p>So far so good. We have the spotlight in the background. Now we  need a way to remove the spotlight from our subject. And we can do that by subtracting our subject from the mask. In fact, we\u2019re going to let Adobe\u2019s A.I. (artificial intelligence) do the work for us.<\/p>\n<p>In the Masking panel, we see the mask (named <q>Mask 1<\/q>) that we created. At the moment, the mask contains only the Radial Gradient.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/view-mask-in-masking-panel.png\" alt=\"The mask details in the Masking panel in Camera Raw.\" width=\"380\" height=\"309\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The mask details.<\/div>\n<p>To subtract an area from the mask, click the <strong>Subtract<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/click-subtract-button.png\" alt=\"Clicking the Subtract button in the Masking panel in Camera Raw.\" width=\"379\" height=\"265\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Subtract button.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 7: Choose Select Subject<\/h2>\n<p>Then choose which masking tool you want to use to remove the area. Since we need to remove our subject, choose <strong>Select Subject<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/choose-select-subject.png\" alt=\"Choosing the Select Subject masking tool in Camera Raw.\" width=\"459\" height=\"229\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing the Select Subject command.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/basics\/select-subject-select-and-mask-photoshop-cc-2018\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Select Subject<\/a> works the same way in Camera Raw as it does in Photoshop. It uses A.I. to automatically detect and select the subject in the photo. <\/p>\n<p>And because we\u2019re using it to subtract an area from the mask, our subject is instantly removed from the effect, leaving them at their original brightness while the spotlight remains visible only on the background behind them.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/subject-removed-from-spotlight.jpg\" alt=\"The subject is instantly removed from the spotlight.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The subject is instantly removed from the spotlight.<\/div>\n<p>We now have two pins in front of the image, one for the Radial Gradient and one for Select Subject. You can toggle the pins on and off by pressing <strong>V<\/strong> on your keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>Back in the Masking panel, we see that our mask (<q>Mask 1<\/q>) is now a combination of two masking tools. The  Radial Gradient created the initial mask, and the Select Subject command  removed our subject from the mask.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/masking-panel-showing-select-subject.png\" alt=\"The spotlight mask is now a combination of the Radial Gradient and Select Subject masking tools.\" width=\"368\" height=\"269\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The mask is now the result of two masking tools combined.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/basics\/select-subjects-powerful-new-cloud-option-in-photoshop-2022\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Related tutorial: Select Subject's new Cloud option for better selections<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 8: Change the color of the spotlight<\/h2>\n<p>To change the color of the spotlight, go to the <strong>Color<\/strong> section in Camera Raw's main panel and click the <strong>color swatch<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/click-color-swatch.jpg\" alt=\"Clicking the color swatch to change the color of the spotlight.\" width=\"341\" height=\"347\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the color swatch to change the color of the spotlight.<\/div>\n<p>Then in the <strong>Color Picker<\/strong>, click and drag left or right to choose a hue, and drag up and down to adjust the saturation.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/choose-color-for-spotlight.jpg\" alt=\"Trying out different colors for the spotlight using the Color Picker in Camera Raw.\" width=\"800\" height=\"461\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Trying out different colors for the spotlight by dragging inside the Color Picker.<\/div>\n<p>I\u2019ll choose a <strong>Hue<\/strong> value of <strong>40<\/strong> to warm up the light and a <strong>Saturation<\/strong> value of <strong>30<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>Click OK to accept the new color, or Cancel to return to the original color of the background.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/warmer-color-for-spotlight.jpg\" alt=\"Adding a warmer tone to the spotlight.\" width=\"807\" height=\"458\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Adding a warmer tone to the spotlight.<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-middle { display: inline-block; width:300px; margin:6px 0px 24px 0px; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; }\n@media (max-width: 515px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n@media (max-width: 480px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- photo effects 300x250 middle responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-middle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"4216941496\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 9: Make any adjustments to the spotlight<\/h2>\n<p>To make any needed adjustments to the spotlight, select the <strong>Radial Gradient<\/strong> in the Masking panel.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/select-radial-gradient-in-mask.png\" alt=\"Selecting the Radial Gradient in the Masking panel.\" width=\"372\" height=\"283\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Selecting the Radial Gradient.<\/div>\n<p>Then drag any of the handles to resize it. Hold <strong>Shift<\/strong> as you drag to lock in its original shape. Drag the pin in the center to reposition it (press <strong>V<\/strong> on your keyboard if you can\u2019t see the pin).<\/p>\n<p>You can also drag the <strong>Exposure<\/strong> slider to adjust the brightness of the spotlight. I\u2019ll lower mine just a bit.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/lower-spotlight-exposure.png\" alt=\"Reducing the spotlight brightness by lowering the exposure.\" width=\"339\" height=\"177\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Reducing the brightness of the spotlight by lowering the exposure.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 10: Toggle the Preview on and off<\/h2>\n<p>To compare the spotlight effect with the original image, click the <strong>Preview<\/strong> button below the bottom right of the image to view it in its original state. Then click the Preview button again to view the spotlight. <\/p>\n<p>You can also toggle the Preview on and off by pressing the <strong>backslash key<\/strong> ( <strong>\\<\/strong> ) on your keyboard.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/camera-raw-preview-icon.png\" alt=\"Clicking the Camera Raw Preview button to toggle the spotlight on and off.\" width=\"411\" height=\"167\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Click the Preview button to toggle the spotlight on and off.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Step 11: Click Done or Open<\/h2>\n<p>Now that we have added the spotlight behind our subject, we have two options. We can either close Camera Raw to accept our changes, or we can move the image over to Photoshop for further editing.<\/p>\n<h3>Option 1: Saving the spotlight and closing Camera Raw<\/h3>\n<p>To save your spotlight effect and close Camera Raw, click the <strong>Done<\/strong> button in the lower right.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/click-done.png\" alt=\"Closing Camera Raw by clicking the Done button.\" width=\"320\" height=\"164\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking Done to close Camera Raw.<\/div>\n<p>Back in Adobe Bridge, the image appears with an icon in the upper right of its thumbnail. The icon means that we\u2019ve applied edits to the image in Camera Raw.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/adobe-bridge-camera-raw-settings-icon.jpg\" alt=\"The Camera Raw settings icon in Adobe Bridge.\" width=\"802\" height=\"405\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Camera Raw settings icon in Adobe Bridge.<\/div>\n<p>If you right-click on the image and choose <strong>Open in Camera Raw<\/strong> again:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/open-in-adobe-camera-raw.jpg\" alt=\"Reopening the image from Adobe Bridge into Camera Raw.\" width=\"796\" height=\"403\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Reopening the image from Bridge into Camera Raw.<\/div>\n<p>Camera Raw will reopen with the spotlight applied to the image. <\/p>\n<p>You can click the Masking icon in the toolbar to open the Masking panel, and then click on the mask to expand it and view the Radial Gradient and Select Subject command inside it.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/image-opens-in-camera-raw-with-spotlight.jpg\" alt=\"The image opens in Camera Raw with the spotlight applied.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image opens in Camera Raw with the spotlight applied.<\/div>\n<h3>Option 2: Sending the image to Photoshop<\/h3>\n<p>Or if you want to save the spotlight and then send the image from Camera Raw over to Photoshop for further editing, click the <strong>Open<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/click-open.png\" alt=\"Clicking Open to send the image from Camera Raw to Photoshop.\" width=\"407\" height=\"152\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Click Open to send the image to Photoshop.<\/div>\n<p>Camera Raw will close and your image, along with the spotlight effect, will <a href=\"\/basics\/opening-images-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn how to open images in Photoshop\">open in Photoshop<\/a>.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/2023\/add-spotlight-in-camera-raw\/image-opens-in-photoshop.jpg\" alt=\"The image with the spotlight effect opens in Photoshop.\" width=\"803\" height=\"455\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image opens in Photoshop.<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-bottom { width:300px; padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px; }\n<\/style><div align=\"center\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300x250 page bottom responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-bottom\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2879809098\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n\t data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<p>And there we have it! That's how to add a spotlight behind your subject using the masking features in Adobe Camera Raw.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related tutorials:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"f1\">\n<li><a href=\"\/basics\/crop-image-circle-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">How to crop an image in a circle with Photoshop<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/basics\/understanding-photoshop-layer-masks\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Photoshop layer masks for beginners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/photo-editing\/how-to-change-colors-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">How to change colors in Photoshop<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don't forget, all of my Photoshop tutorials are now available to <a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\" title=\"Learn more\">download as PDFs<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"members-ad\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Get all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a> Download them today!<\/div><br \/>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"padding-top:16px; padding-bottom:16px;\">\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/adobe-creative.prf.hn\/creative\/camref:1100lrdjJ\/creativeref:1011l90368\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add a spotlight behind the subject in your photo with just a few simple steps using the amazing masking features in Adobe Camera Raw.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-photo-effects"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Add A Spotlight Behind Your Subject With Adobe Camera Raw<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Add a spotlight behind the subject in your photo with just a few simple steps 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