How do you create a mask in Photoshop CC?

You can create a mask in Photoshop CC by using the layer mask feature, which allows you to selectively hide or reveal parts of a layer.

Understanding Layer Masks

Layer masks are crucial in Photoshop because they offer a non-destructive way to edit your images. Instead of permanently erasing pixels, masks hide or reveal them. The concept is simple:

• White: reveals the layer
• Black: hides the layer
• Grayscale: Partially reveals the layer using different opacities.

Steps to Create a Mask

Here are the general steps to create a mask in Photoshop CC, incorporating information from the provided video reference:

1. Select a Layer: In the Layers panel, select the layer to which you want to add a mask.

2. Add a Layer Mask: Click the "Add layer mask" button at the bottom of the Layers panel. It looks like a rectangle with a circle in the middle.

   • A white thumbnail will appear next to your layer's thumbnail, indicating an active mask. Initially, it reveals the entire layer.

3. Use a Brush (or Selection) to Modify the Mask:

   • Select the brush tool.
   • Set the foreground color to black to hide parts of the layer, or white to reveal parts.
     • As shown in the video, you can "use black to erase" (hide) and "white to recover" (reveal).
   • Begin painting on the layer with the brush tool.
   • The video example also shows creating star-shaped selections before masking, showing that selections can help refine a mask.

Examples and Practical Insights

• Selective Editing: Masks are essential for selective editing. If you want to adjust the brightness of a specific area of an image, you can create a mask and apply the adjustment only to the revealed parts of that mask.
• Combining Images: Masks help blend different images smoothly by hiding or revealing edges.
• Working with Selections: Using selection tools before adding a mask helps define specific areas more precisely, such as in the video which shows creating star selections.
• Non-destructive editing: If you make a mistake, you can always paint back with the other colour on the mask to revert the changes. This differs from directly erasing the image.
• Adjusting Opacity: You can use grayscale colours on your mask to partially hide or reveal portions of a layer.
• Multiple Masks: You can add multiple masks to a layer for more complex edits.

Summary

To create a mask in Photoshop CC, you need to select a layer, click the "Add layer mask" button, and then use a black brush to hide parts of the layer or a white brush to reveal parts. This process allows for non-destructive and versatile editing. The video reference demonstrates the principle of using black to erase and white to recover, which is core to mask creation.