ABSTRACT
Masking is the single most important skill you can learn in Photoshop. Photoshop has many tools and commands for masking, and it is good to learn them
all. Chapter 14 deals with layer masks, which is the best method to use, since it is
non-destructive. Before you learn to work with layer masks, it is best you know the
selection tools first. Various combinations of masking tools help you get a perfect layer
mask. Once you have a good mask, you can float the part of the image to its own layer.
This allows you to fix tonality, do selective sharpening, or apply effects to that part of
the image. We assume you are familiar with the basic Photoshop commands of select
all Ctrl A [Command A]. To deselect, there is actually a command, but many peo-
ple find it quicker to just click and release or use the keyboard command of Ctrl D
[Command D].
