How to use Layer Masks and Adjustment Layers in Photoshop
Do the words “adjustment layer” or “layer masks” scare you?
If so, this revised video (which includes Photoshop versions up through CS4) is a MUST Watch, Must Share, and Must Bookmark.
Here are some notes to help you along:
- White Reveals (shows)
- Black Conceals (hides)
- Use a “airbrush soft round” to paint (change the hardness as you get close to subject if you can see halo or marks but never go to 100% hardness)
- Make sure your layer mask is selected (has a box outlined around it)
- Change the opacity of the brush as needed for more control – I often work with a low opacity brush and let the effect build.
- Shortcuts used “[ or ]” – the left bracket makes brush smaller and right bracket makes the brush bigger
- D puts default colors as swatches (white foreground/black background) – X swaps these two.
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