Lightroom Classic 12.3: Adobe
Use the slider to balance noise reduction and detail retention. A setting between 40% and 60% is typically the sweet spot for most images.
12.3 introduced a single "Amount" slider to control the intensity of the noise reduction. A setting of 50% is often recommended as a starting point, striking a balance between smoothing and detail retention. 2. Refinements in Masking and Performance
Click the new Denoise button. A preview dialog box will appear.
Users can now use Tone Curves within a mask for precise, local adjustments to contrast and color. Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3
More importantly, you can now create your own adaptive presets. If you frequently apply a specific color grade to only skin tones, you can save that as an adaptive preset. Every future portrait can use it with one click.
When Adobe releases a point update—especially one moving to version —the photography community tends to pay close attention. While major yearly version launches (like the jump from v11 to v12) get the flashy marketing, it is often the .3 iterations that serve as the "golden build." These releases are typically where bugs are squashed, raw formats for the latest cameras are added, and subtle, life-changing workflow tweaks appear.
Building upon the total overhaul of the masking engine in previous versions, Lightroom Classic 12.3 introduced granular control over local adjustments, specifically targeting portrait retouching and precise selections. 1. Clothing and Facial Hair Selections Use the slider to balance noise reduction and
Switching between editing tools is faster with contextual shortcuts. When working inside complex masks, holding down modifier keys allows you to temporarily switch from an addition brush to an erasure brush without manually changing settings in the right-hand panel, maintaining your visual focus entirely on the image canvas. 4. Performance Benchmarks and Catalog Optimization
The most significant addition to 12.3 is the AI-powered Denoise tool. Unlike traditional noise reduction, which often results in "waxy" skin or lost detail, this feature uses machine learning to strip away noise while preserving textures. Where to find it: It is located in the panel under the Best Practice: Experts recommend applying AI Denoise
(NEW) – combine masks (e.g., Subject minus Eyes). A setting of 50% is often recommended as
Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 is a quintessential example of a mature software product receiving carefully prioritized, quality-of-life enhancements. It did not attempt to reinvent the wheel but instead made AI masking more intuitive (Select Objects) and automated spot removal less tedious (Content-Aware Remove). For the working professional, the performance gains in the Library and Develop modules delivered tangible time savings. While it did not bridge the gap with the cloud-centric Lightroom ecosystem, version 12.3 remains a highly recommended update for anyone already invested in the Classic workflow—particularly for portrait and event photographers who benefit most from the refined People Masking.
Easily adjust the contrast, exposure, or color of beards and mustaches without affecting skin tones.
Found in the Detail Panel > Denoise button, or via right-click > Enhance > Denoise .