Adobe Camera Raw 18.6 Introduces New Glow Effect for Orton and Halation Looks

Adobe Camera Raw 18.6, released in September 2026, adds a new Glow feature in its Effects panel, enabling photographers to create Orton effects or mimic film halation. The tool is currently available only in Adobe Camera Raw within Photoshop, but it is expected to reach Lightroom eventually. The Glow slider, located below existing sliders like Texture, Clarity, Dehaze, Vignette, and Grain, offers nested controls: Range, Spread, and Warmth. According to Photoshop expert Greg Benz, Range targets specific tones, Spread controls the extent beyond the targeted area, and Warmth adjusts the color temperature of the effect between blue and orange. A style drop-down menu provides three options: Diffusion (a general Orton-style glow), Bloom (targeted at the brightest areas), and Halation (simulating film halation with a strong red bloom around light sources). The article notes that overuse is easy, and the included examples are at maximum strength for illustration. The effect can be combined with masking tools for localized adjustments. A subtle application can add dreaminess to landscapes and portraits, and the Halation style is particularly trendy. The author personally finds it useful for night photos, backlit subjects, and film-inspired styles. Adobe Camera Raw 18.6 also includes a new Trim feature in the Crop & Expand panel and a Metadata Info Panel. The update is free for Creative Cloud subscribers.