Creating a Layer Mask in Photoshop

A layer mask in Photoshop is very similar to a mask a person wear in that it’s function is to cover up the original image and make it look like something else. By using a mask in Adobe Photoshop, you can isolate specific areas of an image (i.e. foreground or background) and then integrate two images to form the final product.

1. Select images. Decide which two images you would like to combine and then open them up in Photoshop and place the image you would like to take the background image from behind the other by arranging the layers
2.  Layer Mask. In the Layer Window, select the Layer Mask icon, which is located along the bottom edge of the Layer Window and appears as a dark square with a light circle within
3. Select specific parts of the image. Using the paintbrush tool, select the specific parts of the image you want to remain visible. The parts of the image you do not want to remain in the picture will appear black and the parts you wish to remain unchanged will appear white.