Masking is “covering” part of your image. In the earlier session, you have learned how to make transparent the background of an image. With masking, you can make it much easier, especially for difficult shapes. This exercise is only to introduce you the basic principle of masking.
- Download this image :
- Open in your photoshop
- Caution! “Masking” works only in layer, so doubleclick the background layer in your layer panel. The “background” is changed to “Layer”
background layer
layer
- Then click a tiny icon in the bottom of layer panel to create a layer mask. And see the icon of layer mask in your Layer Panel.
add mask
- Cllick the icon of Layer Mask while pushing the “alt” button. Then your image will become all white.
alt + click here
- Click selection tool and make a circle selection on your white canvass.
selection tool
- Refine the selection – make a blurred edge by setting the feather and radius. See the preview in “mask mode”. See the picture here.
- Now you have to fill the selection with black color.
fill with black color
- Click Selection -> deselect, to remove the selection.
- To make your center of your picture being seen, you have to make it white and the surrounding should be black. So, click Menu Image -> Adjustment -> Inverse.
- Now your mask is ready. If you click the image icon in the layer panel, the image will be seen like this.
mask applied
- To make it beautiful, we want to put gradient background. Make new layer with gradient fill.
add gradient layer
- Edit the gradient.
choose gradient
click to edit gradient
gradient editor
edit gradient effect
- Go to layer panel again and “click and drag” so that the gradient layer will be under the flower layer.
click and drag the layer
- This is the final product. Save as PSD to keep the steps you have been made.
final product
masking
After this exercise, make sure that you understand well the principle of masking and layer. Make notes whatever you have been discovered.
