How do you mask and move objects in Photoshop?

Masking and moving objects in Photoshop involves creating a mask to isolate the object and then moving it to the desired location. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Steps to Mask and Move Objects in Photoshop

1. Create a Layer Mask:

   • Select the layer containing the object you want to mask.
   • Go to the "Layers" panel (Window > Layers).
   • Click the "Add Layer Mask" icon at the bottom of the panel. This creates a white layer mask next to your layer.

2. Paint on the Layer Mask:

   • Select the Layer Mask you just created (click on the white rectangle next to the layer thumbnail).
   • Choose the "Brush Tool" (B).
   • Set your foreground and background colors to black and white (D).
   • Paint with black on the mask to hide parts of the layer and reveal the layers beneath. Paint with white to reveal the layer content.
   • Use different brush sizes and hardness settings to achieve the desired level of precision. A soft brush is good for feathering the edges of the mask.
   • Important: Make sure your Layer Mask is selected and not the image thumbnail when painting on the mask.

3. Move the Image Within the Mask:

   • Link or Unlink the Layer and Mask: Decide whether you want the layer content and mask to move together or independently. Click the chain icon between the layer thumbnail and the mask thumbnail in the Layers panel to toggle the linking.
     • Linked: Moving the layer moves both the object and its mask together.
     • Unlinked: Moving the layer moves only the object, leaving the mask in place. This allows for fine-tuning the object's position within the mask's boundaries.
   • Select the layer thumbnail (not the mask).
   • Choose the "Move Tool" (V).
   • Click and drag the object to its new position. If linked, the mask will move with the object; if unlinked, the object will move independently within the mask.

4. Refine the Mask:

   • Zoom in and carefully inspect the edges of the mask.
   • Use the "Brush Tool" (B) with black or white to add to or subtract from the mask as needed, perfecting the selection.
   • You can also use the "Select and Mask" workspace (Select > Select and Mask) for advanced edge refinement options like feathering, contrast adjustments, and shift edge. This allows for particularly complex selections (like hair) to be masked properly.
   • Consider using the "Refine Edge Brush Tool" within the "Select and Mask" workspace.

Example

Imagine you have a picture of a dog in a park, and you want to move the dog to a different location within the frame, such as closer to a tree. You would first create a mask around the dog using the steps above. Then, using the move tool and ensuring the layer and mask are either linked or unlinked as desired, you can move the dog relative to the background. You might unlink them to position the dog slightly differently within its masked area to fine tune the composition.

Tips and Tricks

• Use selections: Create a selection around the object first using tools like the Lasso Tool, Magic Wand Tool, or Quick Selection Tool. Then, click the "Add Layer Mask" icon – the selection will be automatically converted into a mask.
• Non-Destructive Editing: Layer masks are non-destructive, meaning you can always edit them without permanently altering the original image.
• Experiment: Practice with different brush sizes, hardness settings, and mask refinement techniques to achieve the best results.