Technique 49: Working with Layer Masks
Save Time By
Creating layer masks
Editing layer masks
Layer masks are great! They’re simple to use and very powerful, but people don’t use them enough. For some reason, many Photoshop users tend to think that layer masks are hard to use or that they somehow work by magic. Not so! This technique is here to debunk the myths — I condense years of explaining layer masks into a couple pages.Here’s the definition: A layer mask hides or reveals parts of a layer. Period. End of mystery. I’ve heard so many confusing, over-complicated explanations about layer masks that I’m setting it all out in black and white (literally) with clear, simple explanations.So open Photoshop, grab an image to play with, and try your hand at layer masks. At first, they may seem a bit counterintuitive, but after you get a handle on layer masks, you won’t be able to live without them!