Video Tutorial: Layer Masks Part 1

April 8th, 2008

Categorized Under: Photoshop Tips & Tutorials, Video Tutorials

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.

Share this post:

Tags: Layer masks, layers, MCP, MCP Actions, photoshop, photoshop masking, Photoshop Tips & Tutorials, quick masks, reviews, selective editing, selective sharpening, shortcut keys, Video Tutorials, www.mcpactions.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 1:32 pm and is filed under Photoshop Tips & Tutorials, Video Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

17 Comments

Leave a Reply

1. evie Says:
2:36 pmApril 8th, 2008
Fabulous! Now I know what I’ve been doing wrong. Thank you so much for putting this tutorial up!
2. evie Says:
2:46 pmApril 8th, 2008
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!
3. Desi Says:
4:13 pmApril 8th, 2008
great tut! thanx so much
4. pam Says:
10:40 pmApril 8th, 2008
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.
5. gina Says:
3:10 amApril 9th, 2008
jodi, thank you SO much… i learned so much… i appreciate your effort to help us w/ photoshop…
6. Christa Says:
6:45 amApril 9th, 2008
thank you for this tutorial! Just what I have been looking for!!
7. Jenn B Says:
11:00 amApril 10th, 2008
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!!!
8. Missy Says:
9:57 pmMay 1st, 2008
So great! Loved this tutorial! Thanks so much!
9. brock Says:
3:34 amMay 21st, 2008
Thanks so much….this was explained well.
10. 40 Top Photoshop Tips, Tricks & Tutorials from MCP Actions | MCP Actions Blog Says:
1:57 pmApril 23rd, 2009
[...] Layer Masks – How to Use Them – Part 1 [...]
11. lynda Says:
12:22 amJuly 1st, 2009
Sweet. thanks for this great tutorial.
12. luke s Says:
12:44 amJuly 1st, 2009
great tutorial i
13. lawrie Says:
12:53 amJuly 1st, 2009
Interesting effect. Great work!
14. coelz Says:
11:32 pmJuly 10th, 2009
how to download this excellent layer masking tuts?
15. MCP Actions Says:
11:26 amJuly 11th, 2009
It cannot be downloaded – just bookmark it and come back here and watch it any time.
16. Lori Says:
10:25 pmSeptember 26th, 2009
Oh, that was really helpful about masks. Great tutorial – you make it sounds so simple and easy to understand! Thank you again.
17. Monika Says:
2:06 pmOctober 31st, 2009
Wah!! I really like the way you explained things! Really enjoyed it! =)

Welcome to the MCP Actions Photoshop Blog

Learn to enhance your images with time saving Photoshop tutorials. Join us for daily blog posts with the latest photography and photoshop tips, contests, photographer interviews, and blueprints teaching how to use photoshop actions.