Finally! Photoshop is giving light its own non-destructive layer – and the new tool looks a lot like well-loved Lightroom and Adobe Camera RAW sliders
Adobe is giving Photoshop a new adjustment layer dedicated just to light, including exposure, contrast, highlight, shadow, white, and black sliders
Light is crucial to capturing a stunning photograph, and Adobe has introduced a new feature in Photoshop that allows photographers to adjust light non-destructively. The new Light Adjustment Layer, announced on August 27, provides dedicated controls for exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks. This update brings several existing tools, such as Exposure Adjustment Layer and Curves Adjustment Layer, into a single non-destructive layer.
The Light Adjustment Layer uses simple sliders, similar to those found in Lightroom, making it easier for photographers to tweak their images. Adobe claims that the new layer provides Camera RAW-level results without needing to return to Adobe's RAW adjustment tool. The August 2026 Photoshop update also brings several enhancements to Photoshop's AI-based tools and interface.
These updates include improvements to localized AI edits and a separate interface for prompt-based editing. Additionally, a new Markup tool allows users to draw over specific areas for the AI to recolor or add elements. The update also introduces an AI-Assisted Editor, a dedicated workspace for working with AI edits, making it easier for users to access and utilize these features.
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