An introduction to the ‘Masking: part one’ tutorial

In this tutorial we will discuss a variety of masking techniques including: creating complex and compound masks; repairing images with less than ideal masks; and how to add a vignette using a feathered mask.

The specific topics covered include:

Why we need complex masks.
Constructing complex masks.
Alternative methods of creating complex masks.
Creating compound masks.
Repairing a mask.
Using masks to add a vignette.

This tutorial contains 3750 words, 47 illustrative images and screen grabs, and has received 9 comments.

Photoshop files included with this tutorial

Each of our tutorials is based around a series of layered Photoshop files, at the resolution originally posted on chromasia, which you can download after you subscribe to the tutorial. The images used for this tutorial, and a brief description of each, are included below – the ‘before’ version on the left, the ‘after’ version on the right.

How to get from this …	to this
		Image 1 In this example I will show you how to use a variety tools to construct a complex masks. We will also discuss how to save, load and reuse these masks.
		Image 2 In this example I will show you how to build up a complex mask using gradient masks and a variety of selection tools.
		Image 3 In this example I will show you how to repair artifacts introduced by a less than perfect mask.
		Image 4 In this example I will show you how to add a vignette to your images.

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Further information

To find out more about our other individual tutorials please click any of the following images. Alternatively, you can visit our main tutorials page for further information on: our annual subscriptions and lifetime memberships; next month’s issue; and our current members’s offer. You can also read through our sample tutorial on Tonal Range and the Curves tool.