Lightroom Classic 15: Essential Updates for Landscape Photographers
As a dedicated medium format landscape photographer, I spend countless hours chasing the perfect light across rugged landscapes with my Fujifilm GFX 100 II in hand—delivering that unparalleled 102-megapixel resolution and dynamic range—every detail matters. That’s why Adobe’s annual Lightroom updates are always a highlight on my calendar. Lightroom Classic 15, released in October 2025, brings a mix of practical workflow boosters and AI-driven tweaks that can streamline editing massive RAW files like those from the GFX series. But as someone who prioritizes authenticity over gimmicks, I’ll focus on what truly enhances the craft without compromising control.
In this post, I’ll break down the key features of Lightroom Classic 15 for landscape photographers, drawing from my hands-on tests with high-res GFX files. Whether you’re battling dust spots from windy shoots or organizing bracketed sequences for HDR merges, these updates could save you hours. Let’s dive in.
Automatic Dust Removal: A Game-Changer for Field-Warrior Sensors
Landscape photography often means exposing your gear to the elements—sand, salt spray, and alpine dust are inevitable foes of a clean sensor. Manually spotting clones in Lightroom has long been a tedious chore, especially with the ultra-detailed files from medium format cameras like the Fujifilm GFX.
Enter Lightroom 15’s AI-powered Automatic Dust Removal. Now out of early access and fully baked, this tool scans your images on import or during editing, detecting and erasing dust spots, lens smudges, and debris using content-aware healing. It’s lightning-fast—even on my 100MP+ RAWs—and handles complex backgrounds like textured rock faces or foliage without introducing artifacts.
In my recent shoot along Iceland’s black-sand beaches, I imported 300+ frames riddled with sea-spray flecks. One click, and 90% were spotless. For GFX users, this means less time in post and more focus on tonal finesse. If you’re not sensor-swabbing weekly (guilty as charged), this alone justifies the upgrade.
AI-Powered Visual Similarity Stacking: Streamline Your Bracketed Series
Nothing kills momentum like sifting through dozens of near-identical exposures for that ideal sunset bracket. Lightroom 15 introduces Automatic Grouping by Visual Similarity and Time, an AI feature that stacks images based on content and capture timing, intelligently promoting the sharpest, best-exposed frame to the top.
This shines for landscape workflows: Think long-exposure seascapes or focus-stacked shots. Activate it via the Library module’s Stack filter, and it auto-groups your bursts—filtering out motion blur from wind-swayed grasses or water ripples.
Enhanced Generative AI: Powerful, But Not for Purists Like Me
Adobe’s poured resources into generative AI this round, with upgrades to tools like Distraction Removal (now better at zapping lens flares and reflections) and Generative Remove for shadows. The engine mirrors Photoshop’s Firefly more closely, enabling seamless object erasure even in intricate landscapes.
Impressive? Absolutely. But if authenticity is your north star, stick to manual brushes; these features feel like Adobe’s bid to woo mobile-app casuals rather than pros chasing printable perfection.
Landscape Masking Gets a Snowy Upgrade—With Caveats
One of Lightroom’s standout tools for us outdoor shooters is the Select Landscape AI masker, which auto-detects elements like skies, water, mountains, and foliage for targeted edits. Version 15 adds snow detection, a boon for winter warriors capturing Lapland’s aurora-draped tundras or the Alps’ powder bowls.
Select “Landscape” in the Masking panel, tick “Snow,” and it generates a precise layer—ideal for boosting whites without haloing edges on your canvases. Adobe’s also refined architecture detection for urban-edge landscapes, like coastal lighthouses.
That said, my verdict remains tempered. Masks often bleed at boundaries, spawning artifacts during aggressive adjustments (e.g., boosting contrast on snowy peaks). It’s evolving—faster and smarter—but for medium format’s pixel-peeping demands, it’s no substitute for the Brush tool. Points deducted until the edges crisp up.
New Adaptive Presets: Inspiration, Not a Crutch
Rounding out the release are eight seasonal Adaptive Landscape Presets—Spring Bloom, Summer Haze, Autumn Glow, Winter Frost, and more—tucked in the Develop module’s left panel. They’re AI-tuned to enhance natural tones in their namesake scenes, like warming fall foliage without oversaturating.
As a photographer who geeks out on custom curves for the GFX sensor’s latitude, I view presets warily. They democratize editing but erode control, often yielding “Instagram-ready” results that lack soul. These are no exception.
Performance Perks for High-Res Workflows
Beyond features, Lightroom 15 amps up speed: Faster previews for presets and history on large files, smoother zooming while cropping (crucial for GFX compositions), and millisecond-precise capture time edits for time-lapse syncing. Export now supports up to 4K video proxies, and color spaces like sRGB/P3 integrate seamlessly when round-tripping to Photoshop.
For medium format photographers, these tweaks mean less lag when finesse-honing 100MP details—vital for gallery prints.
Final Thoughts: Lightroom Remains the RAW Throne—With Room to Refine
Lightroom Classic 15 solidifies its reign as the premier RAW editor for landscape pros, especially those wielding medium format powerhouses like the Fujifilm GFX. The dust removal and stacking smarts are workflow wins that respect our time, while masking edges closer to utility. Yet Adobe’s AI push sometimes veers into flashy territory, diluting the tool’s pro-grade poise.
If you’re a landscape photographer eyeing efficiency without sacrificing artistry, update now.
What’s your take on these updates? Tried the snow mask on a winter wander? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I read every one. And if you’re inspired to level up your medium format game, subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive GFX tips, print critiques, and behind-the-scenes from the field.