A mask in Photoshop is a powerful tool that allows you to make non-destructive edits. They can be used to apply localised adjustments, create composites, and even remove the background from a photo. Once you know how to make a mask in Photoshop, you’ll be able to step up your editing skills and improve your results!

Layer Masks and Clipping Masks

The first type of mask in Photoshop is the layer mask, which determines what parts of a layer are visible. You can also use the layer mask with adjustment layers, such as brightening or darkening only part of an image.

Another type of mask is the clipping mask, which links an underlying layer to a shape on that same layer. This works especially well for filling text with an image or combining multiple images into one layer.

When you add a clipping mask to an underlying layer, the clipped image is only visible on the visible pixels of that underlying layer. You can then scale the clipping mask, or change the opacity of the mask to make parts of it distinctly visible or hidden.

You can combine multiple clipping masks to form a chain of clipped layers that link together like an object. They can be combined to a series of different shapes, such as a circle or a rectangle.

There are several ways to view a mask, but the most convenient is the Quick Mask mode. This is a quick way to create a temporary mask with an overlay that shows only the mask data on the canvas.

To enter Quick Mask mode, click the Select and Mask workspace button in the Layers panel or press the shortcut key Q. Then, use the Brush tool to paint over the selection area to temporarily hide it.

The masked layer is displayed as a temporary channel in the Channels palette. You can save the channel for later use or double-click its thumbnail to toggle it on and off.

You can also switch between viewing the layer and the mask by option + clicking on the mask’s thumbnail. When the mask is active, you can toggle its opacity and color by double-clicking on the thumbnail.

When you have the correct mask selected, it will be highlighted in red in the Layers panel. This is helpful when you need to quickly find and work on an area of the mask, or if you want to see where your mask is covering.

For instance, if you’re painting on a pixel mask, you may find it difficult to get smooth curves and perfect edges. In such cases, a vector mask may be preferable.

There are a few important things to remember when using the brush tool and other tools to create a mask. For example, don’t start with a black brush or you’ll erase your layer mask instead of concealing it!

If you need to make a quick change, a white brush or a lighter shade of gray will work better. You can also select a brush with the brush tool and change the brush’s size by pressing Ctrl/Cmd + T (PC) or T (Mac).

When you’re creating a mask, it’s best to create one from scratch rather than starting with an existing layer. This ensures that your mask won’t be overly complicated and that it can be modified easily. This can be a real time-saver when working on more complex images.