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Layer Masks

This document provides a tutorial on using layer masks in Adobe Photoshop to combine images effectively. It explains the process of opening files, using the gradient tool for transitions, and adjusting colors to create a cohesive composite image. Key techniques include painting with black and white on masks, adding adjustment layers, and blending edges for a polished final result.

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EDU SUMMIT
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24 views4 pages

Layer Masks

This document provides a tutorial on using layer masks in Adobe Photoshop to combine images effectively. It explains the process of opening files, using the gradient tool for transitions, and adjusting colors to create a cohesive composite image. Key techniques include painting with black and white on masks, adding adjustment layers, and blending edges for a polished final result.

Uploaded by

EDU SUMMIT
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Adobe Photoshop

Layer Masks in Photoshop with Julieanne Kost


Software needed Adobe Photoshop 5.0 or later

Layer masks are my secret weapon of Photoshop! This tip and technique demonstrates how to use them
to easily combine images together. You will learn to use the gradient tool to create gentle gradations from
one image to another but really, it’s just the tip of the ice burg. If you want to effect only certain areas, be
sure to try painting in the mask with one of the many painting tool available in Photoshop. Just remem-
ber, paint with black to hide the image on the layer, paint with white to reveal the image on the layer. For
varying degrees of transparency, try painting with different amounts of opacity.

Open the first file. Select File > Open and


open the beach file. This is the file that we are
going to drag the other file into to create our
composite image.

Open the second file. Select File > Open and


open the cracked earth file. This is the file
that we will use for the foreground in the final
image. Position the images so that you can see
at least a small part of both.

Drag and drop. From the tool box, select the


Move tool. Position the Move tool over the
cracked earth image. Click and drag with the
mouse to move the cracked earth image over
the beach file. When the cursor and the sand
image is positioned over the beach image, the
beach image will show a highlight around the
edges of the file. Let go of the mouse to “drop
the file”.

1
Reposition the cracked earth. With the Move
tool still selected, reposition the cracked earth
layer at the bottom of the image.

Add a layer mask. Select Layer > Add Layer


Mask > Reveal All to add a layer mask to the
cracked earth layer.

Select the Gradient Tool. From the tool palette,


select the Gradient tool. From the Options
bar, select the Black to White gradient from
the selection of gradients.

Drag the gradient. Since the gradient that we


choose was black to white, it will begin paint-
ing black (that will hide the image) and tran-
sition to white (where we can see the image)
over the duration of the drag. Begin dragging
at the top of the transitional area and con-
tinue dragging downwards the length that you
want the transition between the cracked earth
and the beach image to occur.

2
Open the file. Select File > Open and open
the clouds file. Repeat the previous steps to
drag and drop the clouds into the beach/sand
image, reposition them, and add a layer mask.

Create the mask. Using the Gradient tool with


the same settings as before, drag a gradient
from slightly below the horizon to slightly
above. Note: if needed, change the opacity of the
layer to decrease the intensity of the new clouds.

Add an Adjustment Layer. The cracked earth’s


color doesn’t match the sand in the beach
layer. To correct this, target the cracked earth
layer in the Layers palette, and select Layer
> New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance.
To limit the color adjustment to the cracked
earth, in the New Layer dialog box, check the
Group with Previous Layer option and click
OK.

Balance the colors. In the Color Balance


dialog box, move the sliders to match the
colors of the cracked earth layer to the sand
in the original beach image. When they match,
click OK.

3
Add another Adjustment Layer. The color bal-
ance of the clouds layer also doesn’t match the
beach layer. To correct this, target the clouds
layer in the Layers palette, and select Layer >
New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance. In
the New Layer dialog box, check the Group
with Previous Layer option to limit the adjust-
ment to the clouds layer. Click OK.

Balance the colors. As before, use the sliders


in the Color Balance dialog box until the color
balance of the clouds matches the original
beach sky. Click OK.

Add the edge file. Select File > Open and open
the edge file. Drag and drop the edge file into
the composite image. Hold down the shift
image while “dragging and dropping” to drop
it in the center.

Blend the edge. On the Layers palette, change


the Blend Mode to Screen to eliminate the
black center from the layer, leaving only the
white edge visible.

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