Masking Basic Technique in Photoshop

With this simple and easy technique, we will process an ordinary photo into a work of stunning. Masking is very useful because it does not destruct or alter the original image.


I prefer to use masking rather than eraser tool, because masking effect doesn't destruct the original photo, beside it can be easily remove (the masking effect) if someday there will be a change or revision).



You can download the Photo Stock, paper texture, watercolor brush1 and brush2 that we will use. I will prepare the documents you can download at the end of the post.

So, if you're ready all, let's get started!


Step 1
Open documents in Photoshop



Then change the "Background" layer which is locked into "Layer 0" by Double Click on it.



Step 2
This is the core of this tutorial. Change the name "Layer 0" to "Picture".

Create a new layer (layer 1) below the "Picture" layer and then Right Click on "Picture" layer and select Create Clipping Mask.



The Picture will be lost. Dont worry :) because it is. Go to the next steps.

Step 3
Time to experiment! Click on layer one, and start using the brush you've downloaded earlier. By applying the brush on "layer 1" , so the image will begin to appear (this can be called Unmask).





Do not forget to change the name of "Layer 1" to "brush".

Step 4
Use paper textures you've downloaded as the background on the work. This is a personal choice, you can use a background texture and other according to your own tastes.



we're done! Quick and easy isn't it?

arranged a little Brightness / Contrast and level on the texture of paper and image. And also reduce the saturation on the photo, the result looks like this.