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What is masking in Photoshop?

Last updated on September 23, 2022 @ 7:38 pm

Masking is the ability of Photoshop to hide or reveal portions of an image or video by using a mask. A mask is a bitmap image that specifies which pixels in an image should be hidden or revealed.

When you create a mask, Photoshop applies the mask to the image or video and then hides or reveals the pixels according to the mask. You can use masks to hide or reveal specific parts of an image, to change the appearance of an entire image, or to create composite images.

Masking can be used to create a variety of effects, including the following:

Hiding or revealing parts of an image

Changing the appearance of an image

Creating composite images

When you create a mask, you specify which pixels in the image should be hidden or revealed. You can hide or reveal specific areas of the image, or you can hide or reveal all the pixels in the image.

PRO TIP: Masking in Photoshop is a technique used to hide or reveal parts of an image. When used correctly, it can be a powerful tool for creating stunning images. However, masking can also be used to create images that are misleading or deceptive. If you are unsure about how to use masking correctly, it is best to avoid using it altogether.

To hide or reveal pixels using a mask, follow these steps:

1. Select the area of the image you want to mask.

2. Create a new mask by clicking the Mask button in the Tools panel, or by pressing M.

3. Select the pixels you want to include in the mask.

4. Click the Hide button (the eye icon) to hide the pixels, or the Show button (the cross icon) to show the pixels.

5. Repeat these steps to mask the entire image or video.

When you mask an image or video, Photoshop applies the mask to the image or video and then hides or reveals the pixels according to the mask.

Drew Clemente

Drew Clemente

Devops & Sysadmin engineer. I basically build infrastructure online.