Photoshop Tutorial: Layer Masks

Kevin at Pixel-shooter posted Tutorial: Layer Masks

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A discussion arose earlier concerning the desire to learn how to use layer masks in Photoshop to help enhance an image. This tutorial will help to demystify layer masks. They really aren't that difficult and once you understand the concept and get the hang of them I bet you'll be using them all the time.

The screenshots that accompany this tutorial are from Photoshop 7, though the steps are identical in CS2 (and CS, I assume). If any of this doesn't make sense, shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to clarify or answer any questions you might have.

I want to start with the concept of a layer mask. "Layer Mask" is really made up of 2 things: a layer and a mask. Let's assume you start off with an image in Photoshop. It shows up automatically as "Background". Whether you realize it or not, it's a layer. If you were to duplicate the background (Ctrl+J for a PC), it would create a copy of the background and add it as a layer.

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Thanks Kevin!