Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 May 2026
Released in April 2023, Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 represents a significant iterative update to Adobe’s flagship desktop DAM (Digital Asset Management) and raw editing software. While not a revolutionary overhaul, version 12.3 focused heavily on performance optimization, intelligent automation, and addressing long-standing user requests—solidifying its position as the industry standard for professional photographers who require robust, catalog-based file management alongside precise, non-destructive editing.
Key Feature Additions & Enhancements
1. AI-Powered Masking Improvements (People & Objects) The most impactful update in 12.3 was the expansion of its AI masking capabilities. The existing "Select People" mask received a major algorithmic upgrade, drastically improving the detection of difficult elements like hair, glasses, and overlapping limbs. More notably, Adobe introduced "Select Objects" – a brush-based tool that allows users to draw a rough lasso around any object (e.g., a stray microphone, a distracting sign, or a piece of jewelry). AI would then automatically refine the selection to precisely fit the object’s edges, saving minutes per image.
2. Content-Aware Remove (Technology Preview) Moving beyond the legacy Spot Removal tool’s healing and cloning, Lightroom Classic 12.3 introduced a new "Content-Aware Remove" mode as a technology preview. Instead of sampling a user-selected source point, the AI analyzes surrounding pixel data to intelligently fill the selected area. While not perfect for complex patterns, it proved remarkably effective for removing dust spots, sensor debris, wires, and small blemishes without manual source selection.
3. Performance & Hardware Optimization Adobe addressed significant backend performance:
4. Additional Refinements
Strengths of Lightroom Classic 12.3
Limitations & Criticisms
System Requirements at Release (April 2023)
Conclusion
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. Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3
Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+E / Cmd+Shift+E
Export dialog options:
| Section | Settings | |---------|----------| | Export Location | Specific folder, add to Catalog, stack with original | | File Naming | Custom text, date, sequence | | File Settings | Format: JPG, TIFF, PNG (NEW in 12.3), DNG, Original | | | Quality (for JPG/PNG), Color Space (sRGB for web, AdobeRGB for print) | | Image Sizing | Resize to fit (dimensions), Resolution (ppi) | | Output Sharpening | Screen/Glossy/Matte (Low/Standard/High) | | Metadata | Copyright, Contact, all except camera raw info | | Watermarking | Add graphic or text watermark |
PNG export (12.3): Great for transparent backgrounds if you’ve masked out subject.
AI Masking debuted in v12.0, but v12.3 introduces significant improvements to the "People" mask category. Released in April 2023, Adobe Lightroom Classic 12
Previously, selecting a person meant a generic "Skin" or "Hair" mask. Now, 12.3 allows granular selection of:
In one word: Absolutely.
If you are currently running any version older than 12.3 (including 12.2, 11.5, or the dreaded Lightroom 6 perpetual), you are missing out on a transformative experience. The speed improvements alone are worth the update. The AI masking for people and objects will cut your editing time by half. And the native support for Apple Silicon and modern NVIDIA GPUs ensures that Lightroom Classic no longer feels like legacy software.
Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3 represents a turning point—the moment when Classic stopped being "the old reliable" and started becoming "the modern professional." Whether you are a wedding photographer editing 2,000 portraits, a landscape artist needing precise sky masks, or a product shooter requiring clean object selections, 12.3 delivers.
Final rating: 9.5/10
Deduction for subscription model and lack of offline AI model download options, but otherwise, a flawless update. Strengths of Lightroom Classic 12