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Simple Greyscale masks in Photoshop

Firstly masks cannot be added to the background layer. So to start playing with masks you will need to duplicate the background. You can then add a layer mask to the duplicated background layer. Masks will be covered in our Beginners Photoshop Training course, and in more depth in our Advanced Photoshop Training course.

Doing this simple masking exercise you will begin to understand about masks, how to edit them, which bits allow the underlying image to show through (white will reveal) and which bits of the mask will mask (black will mask) and how to use a semi transparent mask (50% grey for example)

In this exercise we will make add 50% transparency frame to an image by using a mask.

1. Open an image

2. Duplicate the background (easiest way right click on layer and select duplicate layer)

3. Select all of the background (click on background layer and use Ctrl A) and fill it with solid white (Edit>Fill>Use:White), we will be revealing this white layer through the image.

4. The simplest way to add a layer mask is to choose the Add Layer Mask Icon from the bottom of the Layers window (highlighted with red in diagram 2).

NOTE: If you have no active selection (as in this case), this will produce a mask with a white fill (nothing masked).  If you have a portion of your image selected the selection will be set as white (revealed), with the rest of the layer mask filled with black (masked).

5. Click on the mask in the layers panel see diagram 3

6. With the mask selected (not the image) -  Using the rectangular marquee tool draw a rectangle approximately 1cm from the edge of your image and choose SELECT>INVERSE

7. With the mask (white rectangle to right of image) still selected fill the selected area of mask with 50% grey. Choose EDIT>FILL>50% Grey
8. You should now be able to see 50% of the image through the mask around the edge.

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creating masks, masking, Photoshop, photoshop cs4, understanding photoshop masks

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This entry was posted by Heather Buckley on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Photoshop. 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.