How to use Photo Masks

This week I decided to ask YOU what you would like to read about today.  I posted on our Facebook page, and received several responses.  This week, let’s take a look at Gail’s request, “I, for one, need to learn how to use photo masks.”  (If you would like to submit a request, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post, or add to the Facebook post.)

What is a photo mask?
A photo mask, or clipping mask, uses the contents of a layer to conceal or reveal part of the layer above it.

Here is an image of a photo mask (Garden Mask by SnickerdoodleDesigns):

To use the photo mask:

1. Place the photo mask on a blank layer.

2. Place the photo you want to use on a layer above the photo mask.

This is what your canvas and layer panel should look like at this point. I have placed a background paper below the mask so it is easier to see what we are doing.

3. We now need to clip our photo with the mask (“clipping mask”).   You may either (1) go up to the Layer menu in the top menu Bar and choose “Create Clipping Mask” in the drop-down menu options, or (2) hold down the Alt key; hover your cursor in-between the photo and the mask layer; it will change to a down-pointing arrow; click your mouse; release your mouse and then the Alt key.

Your photo will be “clipped” to the mask – and by definition, take on the shape of that mask. We can look at the document to confirm that has happened.  Notice in the layers panel how the clipped photo is “indented” and there is a down-pointing arrow to the left of it? That is another indication that the photo has been clipped to the mask.

Depending upon the photo, the design of the mask, and sometimes the background paper you are using, there are times when you might like to experiment with blend modes of the photo. This most often happens when there is white or light gray contained with the mask.

I’ve added a few white starbursts to my black mask using a brush.

Here is the photo clipped to the mask, with the photo blend mode set to Normal.  Notice you can’t see the stars?

When I change the blend mode of the photo to Screen; however, we CAN see the stars.

A few other quick tips:

• If a mask doesn’t quite fit the photo you would like to clip to it, you may stretch the mask a bit to make it fit. It’s a good general rule not to stretch your photo however.
• Once your clip your photo to a mask, with the photo layer active, click on the photo in the document and hold down your mouse to reposition the photo to your liking.
• You may add to a mask with brushes, text, or anything you like. Conversely, you may also subtract with a mask with either the eraser tool, or by applying a “layer mask” to the photo mask, and brushing away with a soft brush, black foreground color, what you don’t want to see.
• Don’t forget to to rotate masks if that suits your needs.
• Try combining different masks to get even more use out of what you already own.

Please leave a comment below if you would like more detail about any of these tips, or if you have any other comments or suggestions. I welcome your feedback.

If you are a visual learner, you can view this tutorial on SnickerdoodleDesigns You Tube Channel  and on theStudio’s You Tube Channel.

Please head over to YouTube and take a minute to Follow both channels.  Each Channel will have some exclusive videos, so by following both channels, you will be sure not to miss a thing!