Discover what layer masks are, how they work, and how to use them to hide and reveal anything in Photoshop!
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In this video, we’ll start with the one simple idea behind every mask, black hides and white shows, and see why masks are so much better than the Eraser tool: nothing is ever lost, and they even work on text, shapes, Smart Objects and adjustment layers. We’ll learn the two common ways to create a mask, painting one from scratch and making one from a selection, and use them on fun real-world projects like a soft-focus portrait, cookies tucked behind a stream of milk, and a dramatic sky swap with natural-looking fog. Along the way, you’ll pick up the everyday mask skills every beginner needs, from negative masks and previewing a mask to linking, unlinking and deleting one, plus Feather for soft vignettes and Density for subtle color grading. Then we’ll go a step further with mask groups, using an image as a mask, and double masking, a simple habit that protects your hard work. Whether you’re brand new to Photoshop or masks have always felt confusing, this lesson will help you hide and reveal anything with confidence. I hope this video helps you. Thank you so much for watching 🙂
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â–º TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:41 What Is a Layer Mask?
01:53 Black Hides, White Shows
03:25 Why Use Masks – Mask vs Eraser
06:20 Why Use Masks – Non-Raster Layers
07:36 Create a Mask – From Scratch
08:53 Soft Focus with Iris Blur
10:38 Create a Mask – Using Selections
13:09 Selective Adjustments
14:00 Mask Functions – Negative Mask
15:39 Mask Functions – Turn Off and On
16:07 Mask Functions – Preview the Mask
16:56 Gradient Mask – Add Fog to the Sky
18:11 Mask Functions – Link and Unlink
19:26 How to Delete a Mask
20:28 Mask Properties – Feather
22:54 Mask Properties – Density
25:04 Mask Groups vs Duplicate Masks
28:21 Image as a Mask
29:53 Double Masking
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