A Series on using Photoshop
to Edit your Photographs
​

This is a series on photo editing. We will look at whether or not you should edit your image or just use the one your camera produces. For editing and post-processing images there are a large number of software available. Personally, I use both Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Having used them for many years I am most comfortable with them so I will talk about Adobe Photoshop for this series. Whatever editing software you are comfortable using is also fine. The tools used may have different names or work slightly different in your chosen software, but they will give you nice results as well. Just remember the more you use it the better your results will be. 

Part Four

Layers and Masks

​Using layers and masks in Photoshop is essential for non-destructive editing and organizing your work efficiently. Here’s a basic guide on how to use them

Layers

1. Understanding Layers

• Layers act like transparent sheets stacked on top of each other.​
• Each layer can contain different elements (text, images, shapes, etc.).
• The Layers Panel (Window > Layers or press F7) is where you manage layers.

​2. Creating & Managing Layers

• New Layer: Click the + icon in the Layers Panel or go to Layer > New > Layer (Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N / Cmd + Shift + N).
• Duplicate Layer: Right-click a layer and select Duplicate Layer.
• Delete Layer: Drag the layer to the trash can at the bottom of the Layers Panel or press Delete.

​3. Layer Order & Visibility

• Drag layers up/down in the Layers Panel to change their order.
• Click the eye icon to toggle a layer’s visibility.

​4. Layer Opacity & Blending

• Adjust Opacity (0% - 100%) to make a layer transparent.
• Use Blending Modes (dropdown in Layers Panel) to change how layers interact.

5. Adjustment Layers

• Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer to add color or brightness effects without modifying the original image.

Masks

​The Mask Tool in Photoshop is essential for non-destructive editing, allowing you to hide or reveal parts of a layer without permanently deleting anything. Here’s how to use it:

​1. Using Layer Masks Layer masks let you hide or reveal parts of a layer using black, white, and gray tones.
Steps to Use a Layer Mask:

1. Select the Layer – Choose the layer you want to mask in the Layers panel.
2. Add a Layer Mask – Click the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Tools panel (it looks like a rectangle with a circle inside).
3. Paint on the Mask:
   • Use a black brush to hide parts of the layer.
   • Use a white brush to reveal parts of the layer.
   • Use shades of gray for partial transparency.​
   • Click on the Mask button again and this will outline the area to be edited. 
     
   • By clicking on the Select button at the top you can invert the mask and change the area to be edited.