Radial Filter in Camera Raw: Circular Gradients Step by Step

By Michael Baierl Last updated on November 15, 2026 Shown in: Adobe Camera Raw 12.3

If you want to selectively brighten, darken, or add color emphasis to individual areas of an image in Camera Raw, the Radial Filter is exactly the right tool. While the linear gradient edits areas in stripes, the Radial Filter creates ring-shaped or circular gradients that spread outward from the center. This way, you can, for example, highlight a subject or add light to the image after the fact, as if the sun had been shining in the background. In this tutorial, I'll show you step by step how to use the Radial Filter, adjust it, and work with multiple gradients.

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Key Takeaways

The Radial Filter places an elliptical area over your image, the shape of which you can change at any time using the handles. A feather of 100 ensures flowing, soft transitions. With the invert option, you control whether the change takes effect inside or outside. Since all points and settings are preserved, you can move or correct each area later without destroying the image.

Step-by-Step Guide

Opening the Radial Filter and Setting the First Gradient

You'll find the Radial Filter in the tools above the image area in Camera Raw. Alternatively, simply press the M key, or Shift + M, depending on your interface settings. Then click directly in the center of the image, on the central subject you want to highlight. Drag the gradient outward until the ellipse encloses the subject well. Make sure your main subject is in sharp focus, because this is exactly the area that will benefit from the editing later.

Shaping the Ellipse and Setting the Feather

After dragging it out, small handles appear at the top and bottom of the ellipse. With them, you can change the shape as you like. So you can keep the ellipse round, but also stretch it out very narrow if, for example, an elongated streak of light is meant to appear. The area is always controlled by a feather, which you'll find in the Radial Filter settings. For the Radial Filter, I usually set this feather to 100. The reason is simple: at a value of 100, the transitions are flowing and soft, so no visible line appears.

Color Temperature and Exposure for a Natural Glow

Now it gets exciting. Change the color temperature to steer the mood. Drag the slider toward warmth, and the center of the image begins to glow. The change fades out very gently toward the edges, which gives the impression that sunlight had shone in from the background. If the effect still seems too flat to you, also increase the exposure slightly. The result then often looks even more realistic. During this phase, always compare with the original image so that you don't overdo it.

Positioning the Gradient and Letting It Spread

With the position, you determine where the glow is strongest. Drag the ellipse a bit further up or down so that the effect spreads evenly in both directions. This generally looks more harmonious than a gradient that lies on only one side of the subject. Make sure that the light area doesn't become too dominant and push the subject into the background.

Combining the Radial Filter with Linear Gradients

The Radial Filter can be combined excellently with linear gradients. So you can, for example, darken a sky with a linear gradient and then emphasize the subject with a Radial Filter. In the example, you first stay with the Radial Filter and set a second gradient with which you selectively adjust other areas.

Inverting the Selection and Darkening the Edge

The second gradient should not affect the inside, but only the outside. To do this, you activate the invert option. As a result, the adjustment no longer affects the center, but everything outside the ellipse. Now lower the exposure until the edge becomes darker. In this way, you automatically draw the viewer's gaze to the center. Such a vignette looks especially subtle if you keep the feather at a high value.

Place Additional Gradients Freely

You can set as many radial filters as you like. Simply drag them out one after another wherever you need them. In the example, you tackle a single branch whose bright spot you want to tint a little and bring out. Here too, the following applies: if a gradient is only meant to affect a single detail, activate the inversion so that the adjustment does not spill over into the surroundings. A narrow ellipse is particularly well suited for such details.

Edit the Entire Image Step by Step

With the radial gradient, you can now work your way through the whole image area by area. Set a separate gradient for each area, adjust color temperature, exposure, and other values, and check the result again and again in the overall image. In the example, you strengthen the green in the background to round off the color mood, and you move a gradient in the lower area so that a bit more color appears there without it looking too bright.

Adjust Afterwards and Work Non-Destructively

A major advantage of this tool is its flexibility. All handles and points are retained. If you want a gradient to be brighter or darker later, you simply click on it and change the values. You can move, rotate, or reshape an ellipse at any time. The editing is therefore set up non-destructively, and you can adjust all settings afterwards. Especially with more complex images, this makes your work much easier.

Summary – Radial Filter in Camera Raw: Round Gradients Step by Step

The radial filter in Camera Raw is a versatile tool for ring-shaped and circular adjustments. You place it in the center of your subject, shape the ellipse using the handles, and set the feather to 100 so that the transitions stay soft. With color temperature and exposure, you create light and mood, and with the invert function, you edit the outer area in a targeted way. Since all points are retained, you can readjust at any time. This way, you work flexibly, precisely, and without altering the original image.

Trainer About Michael Baierl Photoshop artist Michael Baierl (aka Xomi) has now turned his initial passion for photography and image editing into his main profession. All courses by Michael Baierl →