

However, unlike Photoshop, these selective adjustments can only be used for exposure, contrast, or color adjustments. Using a selective adjustment In Lightroom to mask the sky. This is directly caused by creating different brush and opacity adjustments to the layer mask. Notice how in each version of the mask, the solid color becomes more and more visible. By masking the solid color layer, I can choose where it’s visible in the photo (the sky in this case) and how transparent that adjustment is. In the images below, you can see three different versions of color in the sky. Here you can make any type of selective adjustment, using black, white, or grey, to choose an adjustment’s transparency. For example, when masking in Photoshop, you are working with a dedicated layer mask. This looks slightly different depending on which photo editing program you use, but the result is the same.

Image masking is using masks or selective adjustments to isolate where an adjustment is taking place. Below you’ll learn more about the uses of image masking, how it works in different programs, and how to use it in your own workflow! What Is Meant By “Masking” An Image? Now that you understand the very basics of image masking let’s discuss it more in-depth. Simply put, masking adjustments give you precise control of how and where photo editing adjustments take place. For example, you could use a mask to brighten your subject while leaving the background unedited. A mask allows you to adjust a certain portion of your image while leaving the rest completely untouched. When you are “masking” an image while photo editing, it means you’re limiting where a certain layer or adjustment is visible. In this article, you’ll learn the different types and the purpose of image masking in post-processing. That way, you can easily target specific areas of your image for a more enhanced edit.ĭepending on which photo editing program you use, there are many types of image masking options.

By applying a mask to an image or adjustment layer, you can better control where it will be applied in your image. Although each program has a slightly different way of masking, the purpose remains the same. No matter what photo editing program you’re working in, image masking is an important part of making selective adjustments.
