How to Use Masks in Photoshop

Posted on March 30th, 2009 by Marck

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Adobe Photoshop is one of the best programs available to edit complex images. Backgrounds, blemishes, imperfections, and other unwanted parts of an image can easily be removed or edited with the many tools that come with the program. One of the most important tools in Adobe Photoshop’s vast array of image editing tools is the mask tools collection.

What are Masks?

Many effects and image editing tools in Photoshop have an image-wide effect. While these tools are useful, there are some parts of an image that you do not want to be affected by a certain tool. Masks are tools in Photoshop that hide or conceal parts of an image to protect them from edits and effects that would otherwise affect the whole image.

Here are some of the uses of masks:

Making complex selections. Selections made with simple shapes can be easily made with marquee selection tools on the Tools palette. If you ever wondered how Photoshop experts can make those complicated selections and paths to make those creative patterns and effects on an image, they almost always use masks for the task.
Protecting parts of the image. Many filters, image effects, and layer effects in Photoshop affect the entire image. If you want to limit the effect of a filter to a certain part of the image, you can use a mask for the purpose.
Creating new layers. Layers are the basis of many complex images created through Adobe Photoshop. Masks can be used to create new layers from a flat image.

Kinds of Masks

The extent of a mask is defined by a translucent red layer that covers the rest of the image. Think of the mask as a giant plastic wrap that you set on top of the image, and that you “cut” parts of that wrap to make edits and enable effects to the selection underneath. If you’re new to Adobe Photoshop, here are three kinds of masks you should know about:

Quick mask. To enter Quick Mask mode, press the “Q” key once. The most common tool used with the quick mask is the Paintbrush, where you can “paint” a masking layer on the image. Once you enter Standard mode again, the masked layer will appear as a selection that you cannot otherwise do with a marquee tool, the lasso tools, or anchor points with the pen tool.
Layer mask. To build a layer mask, click on the layer on the Layers palette, and click the “Add a Vector Mask” on the bottom of the palette. The layer mask works in the same way as the quick mask, although it only affects one layer of an image.
Type mask. If you have a set of intricate fonts that you want to use as selections, you can use the Type Mask tool. The type mask is found in the text tools collection; press the “T” key repeatedly until you cycle to the horizontal or vertical type masks. After you have made a type mask and entered Standard Mode again, the silhouette of the type mask will appear as a selection.

Using Masks Effectively

Here are some tips to help you use masks to your advantage:

Combine tools and masks together. The Paintbrush is not the only tool you can use with a mask. Photoshop offers many levels of undo, and you can experiment with the many tools available to create new image elements using mask modes.
Keep masks simple. While masking can help you make complicated selections, it’s best to keep masks as simple as possible. Simple masks are especially useful for portraits, group pictures, and landscapes.
Feather selections. To avoid the hard edges you usually get when making selections, take the time to feather selections once you enter Standard Mode from any masking mode.

You can make complicated and intricate effects in Photoshop quickly and easily with masks. With a bit of practice and a lot of images, you’re well on your way to make great images with one of the most powerful image editing tools on the market.