How to Use PHOTOSHOP LAYER MASKS to Edit an Image

[@Bloggerky]

I think you do the best job of anyone in explaining layer masks, black layer versus white layer, painting in versus painting out. It almost makes sense! Keep up the PS videos for those of us with thick skulls.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Yay! I'm so glad to hear that. Took me a while to wrap my brain around it. Felt like I needed to create new neural networks to get it ;).

[@bobwollenberg9160]

Excellent way to describe the process...thanks

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

You bet, Bob! Glad it was clear.

[@Orkney_Pirate]

Thank you Brenda that was brilliant! I have been struggling so much with the 'white reveals black conceals' phrase. I'm going to watch your video back slowly now with a piece of my own work. Well done! :)

[@Lottekoen]

Brenda, this sequel to your previous video about layers and masks is great again. Hopefully there will be more videos like this. Especially now that winter is approaching. The way you explain it is fantastic.

[@davidtaylor9052]

Thanks from Down Under. Love your videos and the beautiful countryside.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks for tuning in, David!

[@iqueque]

Absolutely the most useful layers video I have found. I like the subtle adjustments and the creation of stamped layers. thank you Brenda

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

You're most welcome! I'm glad it was useful.

[@betohs]

I was waiting for this....thank you ...stay well AND safe... blessings

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks so much - you as well! And I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@aposl9863]

Superb tutorial, Brenda. Bravo!

[@staceynewstead]

Thank you! This has really helped simplify my process. Feel like I finally have a handle on masking. 😊 👏

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Thanks again Brenda. For me, at this stage of my education, these videos are perfect. Now to go practice them before I forget!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

I'm glad they are helpful to you! :)

[@greggorter]

Hi Brenda, awesome information! Thank you so much for sharing this knowledge. Has been very helpful. 🥳👍🏼

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

So good to hear that - thanks!

[@Walt.2013]

You are a communicator! This is the clearest demonstration of using layer masks that I've seen! An added bonus are the insights into your editing technique. Brilliant! I use Photoshop Elements, but almost everything included in your presentation applies. Thanks!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

That's so great to hear, Walt - thank you! And it's also good to know that these steps can be applied in Photoshop Elements too. I haven't used Elements, so am not quite sure where the two programs overlap.

[@epv221]

Excellent and clear instructions.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks, Martha! I'm glad it was easy to follow.

[@KoiMadethline]

My goodness, this is the least intimidating tutorial to layers I've had the good fortune to come across, lol. I was just thinking earlier that I needed to learn how to work layers so I can more properly edit some photos in PS and lo and behold what KZbin recommended to me. Wonderful step by step demonstration and commentary that makes the plunge into PS a little less scary :)

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Oh good! I'm very glad to hear that. My goal is to try to make it accessible and less intimidating to learn, so that's good news!

[@alnmp7541]

Nice layer masks class (Yeah sometimes it can be a little confusing) I gonna apply this in the next image processing thanks!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Good! I hope it goes well! Let me know if you have questions.

[@vaibhavravichandran]

Thank you Brenda, I learned a lot. I'm editing an image of the milky way I took recently at Mt Rainier National Park and this tutorial was helped me achieve better results from my picture

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

So glad it could help!

[@kelv52]

Clear and concise, thank you, saved this vlog so that I can follow along later with one of my own images, thank you also for the idea to highlight the mouse cursor, looked this up and now works the same as yours, so much easier to use in this way

[@nicknichols4249]

You always teach me something new, thank you!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

You bet, Nick! Thanks for watching.

[@dawnpowell5621]

really found this useful. My old brain isn't as nimble when it comes to some of the technical stuff but you really made this easy to follow. I've been watching your photopills tutorial as well and am learning a bunch. Now my challenge is remembering the info, I've had to re-watch a few times as I get to a point where I forget a step and have to look to see where I went wrong.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

I'm glad the info is helping you out! And practice helps. We all started somewhere and it takes time to soak in the details. You can do it! :)

[@525marshall525]

Thanks, great job. Get well soon.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thank you!

[@garywaggoner1953]

Great vid! Thanks for making PS more understandable!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

You bet! Glad it helped.

[@tcnole1]

Great video. I've just started using photoshop to edited a few of my pictures. In the past I've only used Lightroom. This has helped my understanding of photoshop quite a bit.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Terrific! I'll likely do more videos with LR and PS in the future.

[@tjsinva]

Nice rundown! Another boot? Surprised to catch you on OOC Live last weekend with Mike Hudson and Thomas Heaton. Hope you found their input helpful. Cheers!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Yeah - busted a tendon in my foot while exercising - bah! And yes! I thought OOC Live was awesome! And the photo review feedback was helpful. Hope you enjoyed it as well!

[@suewinsley]

Hi Brenda, I've just discovered your channel and am really enjoying your tutorials. I especially loved the ones on Astrophotography as I'm just getting into that. I was wondering if you have any tutorials on how you edit your milky way shots?

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Hi Sue - so glad to hear that you are enjoying the tutorials! I don't yet have a Milky Way editing video, but can certainly add it to the list :).

[@suewinsley]

@@outdoorphotographyschool7366 thanks Brenda.. that would be fantastic. :)

[@MichaelSlaunwhite]

You provide an easy to understand explanation of how to use layers and masks. I'm placing it in my watch it again list. I use Lightroom but want to take my editing to the next level with Photoshop. If you are looking for a topic, I'm interested in using Photoshop to develop waterfalls to show different amounts of texture in the water.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks, Michael! That's a great topic idea - I'll add it to the list :).

[@guykerr8111]

As PS is a new learn for me...... at the 13:30 mark where you are adding the CURVES to the sky, could you use the earlier sky mask you used for the levels? Thanks.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Hi Guy - yep, that is another way to do it. You can create the curves adjustment layer (the white layer mask will be automatically applied), and then you can click option/alt while clicking and dragging the mask that you want to copy over the curves adjustment mask and then releasing the mouse. It will copy the levels mask onto the curves mask.

[@briangilbert6241]

Very good.

[@jimhamilton8775]

Excellent video Brenda. I notice you start off in Lightroom. I assume you can start in Adobe camera Raw and work from there.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Yep, absolutely you can.

[@TheChapin333]

Good job

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks, Sue!

[@thomastuorto9929]

A great vid! Much appreciated. How long ago did you injure your foot? Seems like a year ago. My sister had a foot injury & they are a tuff one to heal properly if you do not have the proper time to heal correctly. Anyway hope your back out soon.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks, Ted! I busted my knee a while back requiring surgery, so that had me out for quite a while. This time, I tore a tendon in my foot (this past spring) while doing lunges as a preventative exercise. Can't catch a break. Don't get old! ;) It's on the mend now, and I'm back to hiking short distances.

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@outdoorphotographyschool7366 Don't get old, ya right. I'm 60 & up until a couple of years ago , I had a excercise routine until an injury (hip replacement & possible back surgerey) at work., I'll never be the same. Anyway, it could be worse, I'm working now when a lot of people who wish they were, aren't. I'll retire in 1-3 years depending & if I can go on day hikes , maybe an overnighter , I'll be happy. Hope your healthy soon. Really enjoy your vids.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

@@thomastuorto9929 Thanks, Ted! It's good to keep a positive attitude! I'm not hiking the way I used to either, but still am glad for being able to get out, even if not on high peaks anymore. Going up is fine, it's the getting down that's an issue... ;). Stay well!

[@JC-lh1pj]

Thanks, hope your foot heals quickly .

[@tarakdas4822]

good evening mam please arrange a class on luminosity Masking.