TL;DR: Layer masks let you hide or reveal parts of a layer without deleting pixels, making your edits non-destructive and infinitely adjustable. Master the brush tool, black/white color logic, and selection-based masking to control exactly what shows through.
Step 1: Understand the Core Logic
A layer mask is a grayscale image attached to a layer. White on the mask reveals the layer’s content; black hides it; gray creates partial transparency. Think of it as a stencil: paint with black to erase, white to bring back. This is the single most important concept—every other step builds on it.
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Step 2: Add a Mask to Your Layer
Select your layer in the Layers panel. Click the “Add Layer Mask” icon (a rectangle with a circle inside) at the bottom of the panel. A white thumbnail appears next to the layer. If you want to start with a hidden mask (black), hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while clicking the icon. The mask is now active—anything you paint will affect the mask, not the layer pixels.
Step 3: Paint with Black and White
Press B for the Brush tool. Set the foreground color to black. Paint over areas you want to hide—they become transparent. Switch the foreground to white (press X to swap colors) and paint to reveal hidden areas. Use a soft-edged brush for smooth transitions, a hard-edged brush for sharp edges. Adjust brush opacity in the top toolbar for subtle, gradual reveals (e.g., 30% opacity for a soft fade).
Step 4: Use Selections for Precision
Instead of freehand painting, make a selection first. For example, use the Quick Selection Tool (W) to select a subject. Click “Add Layer Mask” while the selection is active—Photoshop automatically converts the selection into a mask (white for selected, black for unselected). To refine, press Ctrl+L (Cmd+L) to open Levels while the mask is selected, and drag the sliders to tighten edges or increase contrast between black and white.
Step 5: Refine with the Mask Properties Panel
Double-click the mask thumbnail to open the Properties panel. Here you can adjust Density (overall mask strength) and Feather (softens edges globally). Use Mask Edge to run Select and Mask for hair or complex edges. For fine-tuning, use the Brush tool with a low-flow setting (5–10%) to build up transitions slowly.
Step 6: Non-Destructive Editing Tips
Never delete a mask—disable it by holding Shift and clicking the thumbnail (a red X appears). To view the mask as a red overlay, press \ (backslash). Save your mask as a selection by Ctrl+Clicking the thumbnail—this is useful for combining masks. Finally, remember that masks work on adjustment layers too: apply a black mask to a Curves layer and paint white to brighten only specific areas, like eyes or skies.
FAQ
Q: Why does painting black on a mask not erase my layer?
A: It doesn’t delete pixels—it just hides them. The original data remains intact. To prove it, switch the brush to white and paint over the same area; the content reappears perfectly. This is the core advantage of masks over the Eraser tool.
Q: How do I invert a mask to hide everything except my selection?
A: After adding a mask, press Ctrl+I (Cmd+I) to invert it. White becomes black and vice versa. Alternatively, hold Alt (Option) when clicking the mask icon to create a black
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