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[Harmony Havoc]

Layer Masks

One of the most powerful functionalities in Photoshop is the ability to overlay images and objects on top of each other, and then change the overall opacity of those layers, or selectively change the opacity in certain areas of the layer. Understanding how to use this feature is particularly important, as it forms the basis of many complex compositing effects and is applicable in numerous situations.
A mask is just what it sounds like; it defines what parts of the layer can be seen. Just like if you were to put on a real mask, like a ski mask, the mask would cover most of your face, but leave your eyes and mouth exposed. By putting a mask on a layer, we get to decide which parts of the layer are seen, and which parts allow the layers below to be exposed. These tutorials below explain some of the basic of layer masks.

Masks are incredibly useful for blending photos and hiding portions of images without altering them directly. Layer masks are a function of opacity. Imagine putting a piece of paper over a photograph: the photo is hidden, and only the paper, or “mask” is visible. Use scissors to cut a hole in the mask paper, and reveal the photo underneath. Digital masks work in the same basic way. When you paint on the mask using black, you are “cutting” the mask away to reveal what's beneath. Any white part of the mask is opaque, and black part is transparent, and any shades of gray are varying opacities.

Reasons to use Layer Masks:
· Layer Masks are editable selections that play an important role in non destructive editing
· Layer Masks offer flexibility because they can be almost completely treated as a full gray scale image,
which allows the use of filters, selection tools, adjustment tools, etc.
· They have a visual strength, meaning that with a short look on the layers you can see how they affect
the image
· They offer extra flexibility by being part of vector masks, layer sets, adjustment layers, etc.
· Layer masks allow you to save selections
· Even though the masked parts are hidden they are still available if you need them

As stated above, to understand layer masks you have to remember the following:

· The color black in a layer mask hides the corresponding pixels in the linked layer (actually makes those
pixels transparent).
· The color white leaves the corresponding in the linked layer intact; it doesn't do anything with them

Masking baiscs tutorials:

Basic Masking Tutorial One
Basic Masking Tutorial Two
Basic Masking Tutorial Three

The Ultimate Guide to Layer Masks
An Introduction to Layer Masks
Layer Masks Explained
Understanding Layer Masks
Discovering the Layer Mask

A very comprehensive overview of the various aspects of using Layer Masks: Using Masks Overview

[Harmony Havoc]

Pratical Layer Mask Exercises

Here are some very good tutorial with exercises and projects to do and make to help understand Layer Masks:

Masking Exercise
Collaging in Photoshop
Layer Masks Basics
All About The Layer Mask