You can move a selection with a mask in Photoshop by manipulating the layer mask itself. According to the YouTube video "Mask it and Move it: Layer Masks in Photoshop Elements", you can move and resize layer masks.
Moving a Selection with a Mask
Moving a selection with a mask doesn't directly involve moving the selection area itself, but rather the mask which affects what part of the underlying image is shown or hidden. Here's how it works:
Understanding Layer Masks
- A layer mask acts like a stencil. Areas painted black hide the corresponding part of the layer, while white reveals it. Shades of gray create varying levels of transparency.
- Layer masks are linked to their layers by default, allowing you to move the layer content and mask together.
- However, you can unlink the mask from its layer to move the mask independently.
Steps to Move a Mask Separately
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Select the Layer: Choose the layer with the mask you want to adjust in the Layers Panel.
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Unlink the Mask: In the Layers panel, locate the chain link icon between the layer thumbnail and the mask thumbnail. Click it to unlink the mask from the layer.
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Select the Mask: Click the mask thumbnail. You will see a border around the mask thumbnail in the layers panel, indicating it is the selected part of the layer.
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Choose the Move Tool: Select the move tool in the tools panel, indicated by a four way arrow icon.
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Move the Mask: Click and drag on the image within the document window to move the layer mask, thereby altering the visible portion of the image.
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Resize the Mask (If desired) : You can resize the mask using the transform tool after unlinking it from the layer, just as you can move it. (This is mentioned in the video at 0:37)
Practical Example
Imagine you have a photograph with a mask applied to reveal only a person's face. If you want to reposition the mask so the face is more centered:
- You would first unlink the mask from the photograph layer.
- Then, select the mask thumbnail.
- Finally, use the Move Tool to shift the mask on the image, which changes what parts of the image are visible as the mask's visibility effect is moved.
Key Points
- Moving the layer mask allows you to change the revealed section of your image, essentially repositioning the apparent selection.
- The original image layer stays static while the mask is moving.
- The layer itself can be moved independently of the mask after unlinking.
- The video states you can also resize a layer mask.
