Most photographers use Photoshop, Lightroom or Capture One to edit their files, although there are a number of new apps on the market that are very attractive and well priced. Fortunately, when it comes to learning how to use layers, adjustment layers and adjustment brushes, the basic technique is exactly the same, and can be applied to most image-editing software. Any differences are limited to the way the menus and tools operate in your preferred software.
There are some advantages in learning how to use Photoshop rather than Lightroom or Capture One, however, because of the extra control you have over masks, and the types of adjustments you can make.
For instance, if you need to make a very precise mask that reveals a hill or tree but hides the…