Video Tutorial: Layer Masks Part 1
April 8th, 2008
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Today’s tutorial is an intro to layer masks. This is the MOST IMPORTANT SKILL to improving your editing in photoshop. It will allow you to effect smaller portions of your photo while you edit. You no longer have to edit globally. This gibes you the control over your photos.
The most important parts of this are:
- White reveals
- Black Conceals
- Use a soft edge air brush (change the hardness if needed)
- Make sure your layer mask is selected
- Change the opacity of the brush as needed for smoother blending
- Shortcuts used “[ or ]” - the left bracket makes brush smaller and right bracket makes the brush bigger
- D puts default colors as swatches (white forground/black background) - X swaps these two.
Now on to the tutorial - click my logo below to watch it - please be patient as it may take a minute to load:

April 8th, 20082:36 pm at
Fabulous! Now I know what I’ve been doing wrong. Thank you so much for putting this tutorial up!
April 8th, 20082:46 pm at
I’m not sure my comment went through so forgive me if this is a duplicate. That tutorial was fantastic! It really helped me understand something I’ve been doing wrong. Thanks so much for putting this out there. Now I’m off to play!
April 8th, 20084:13 pm at
great tut! thanx so much
April 8th, 200810:40 pm at
Thank you for explaining layer masks in a simple, easy to understand lesson. This is something I’ve been trying to figure out and you’ve made it clear.
I appreciate the time and effort you put into this and thank you for sharing with us.
April 9th, 20083:10 am at
jodi, thank you SO much… i learned so much… i appreciate your effort to help us w/ photoshop…
April 9th, 20086:45 am at
thank you for this tutorial! Just what I have been looking for!!
April 10th, 200811:00 am at
Jodi, this was an awesome refresher to what you showed me this morning during PS training! Thank you so much. You are a great instructor! I’m looking forward to learning more from you next week!!!
May 1st, 20089:57 pm at
So great! Loved this tutorial! Thanks so much!
May 21st, 20083:34 am at
Thanks so much….this was explained well.