To better understand how layer masks work, let's try editing the the Acorn layer mask. If we ever wanted to show more of the original image, we could edit or even remove the layer mask. The important thing to recognize here is that the background of the Acorn layer hasn't actually been removed it's just hidden. Notice how the areas that are visible in the document window correspond with the white area on the layer mask thumbnail. The layer mask is represented by the black-and-white thumbnail to the right of the layer icon in the Layers panel. Here, we used a layer mask to hide, or mask out, the background so the acorn is the only part of the layer that's visible. If you're following along with the example file, select the Acorn layer. Fortunately, layer masks allow you to show and hide parts of any layer in a nondestructive way.Ĭreating a layer mask can be a bit complicated, so let's start by looking at one that's already finished. While you could use the Eraser tool to remove the parts you don't want, this type of destructive editing may be difficult to undo. For example, you might want to remove the background from a layer so the layers below it can show through. Sometimes you may want only certain parts of a layer to be visible. To learn more about clipping masks, review this tutorial from Adobe. Next, try reducing the opacity of the adjustment layers to 70%. Notice how the curves adjustments only affect the Acorn layer. Make sure a clipping mask is applied to the new layer, then modify the curves in the Properties panel. Select the Acorn layer, then add a Curves adjustment layer. For this reason, if you're already using clipping masks in your document, new adjustment layers may use a clipping mask automatically. It's also important to note that you can apply a clipping mask to multiple adjustment layers above the same layer. For example, if you release the clipping mask for the Gradient Map layer in the example file, it will affect the color of all of the layers below it instead of only affecting the Acorn layer. Releasing a clipping mask does not delete the layer, but it causes it to behave like a normal layer. You can also use this method to release a clipping mask. This indicates that a clipping mask has been applied, which limits the adjustment layer to just the Acorn layer below. If you're following along with the example file, locate the small arrow next to the Gradient Map layer. However, there may be times when you only want an adjustment layer to affect one layer. By default, adjustment layers will affect all layers below them. To learn more about blending modes, review this tutorial from Photo Blog Stop.Įarlier in this tutorial, we covered using adjustment layers to correct images. While blending modes give you a lot of flexibility, they can also be tricky to use. This means many blending modes may look unnatural, and it's unlikely that all of the modes will look good in your project. It's also important to note that blending modes will work differently depending on the content of your layers. In the example below, changing the blending mode to Screen will still allow the turquoise background to show through, but this time it appears on the record instead.Įach blending mode creates a different effect, and some are much more noticeable than others. To change the blending mode, click the Blending Mode drop-down menu, then select the desired mode. Even though the opacity of the Record layer is set to 100%, this blending mode allows the turquoise color from the layer below to show through. Notice that the blending mode is set to Multiply. If you're following along with the example file, select the Record layer.
The blending mode menu is located at the top of the Layers panel, next to Opacity. In addition to adjusting opacity, you can use different blending modes to control how the layers in your document are mixed together.
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