After all, a flat canvas is easy to understand. Just like an artist’s canvas, what you paint or paste onto it is set there. But the layers and masks found in Photoshop let you do so much more with your artwork.
What Are Photoshop Layers?
Think of Photoshop layers as the different pieces of a traditional collage. Transparent slides that, when stacked together, create a single image.
Layers let you create composite images in a non-destructive manner, so any changes you make in Photoshop won’t affect the original image.
Let’s say you start with a background that fills the base canvas.
You can then begin building up additional elements of your image using layers—like adding Mario to the scene.
It works in exactly the same way as cutting out images from a newspaper, then laying them on top of a photo. You can move the piece around the scene using the Move tool, or by using the keyboard shortcut: V.
You can also resize the image with Free Transform (Ctrl for Windows or Cmd + T for Mac), without affecting the base layer.
To transform the image, select Free Transform. Then, right-click the layer image to open up the options that let you Warp and Skew the image, generally changing its appearance.
You can even paste in additional “cut-outs,” like the ghostly head of actor James Stewart.
This can be done without altering the entire image. Layers, then, are the individual parts that make up the big picture.
However, layers aren’t just used for compositing images. Text is also handled using layers by selecting the Type tool (or by pressing T on your keyboard).
Select an area on your image and a Type Layer is created. Once you’ve written whatever text you need, it’s handled in exactly the same way, letting you move, resize, or otherwise alter its appearance just like any other layer.
Understanding the Layers Panel
Every layer you add is housed in the Layers panel in the lower-right corner of the screen. If you don’t see the panel, click on Window > Layer to reveal it.
You’ll notice that your background layer has a padlock next to it. When the background is locked, it just means you aren’t able to shift it around, even if you select Move. That’s useful in most cases, but you can convert this to a normal layer by pressing the padlock, unlocking it.
As you add more layers, they’ll be placed here. To work on a specific layer, just click on it. Now, any tools you select from the Toolbar will affect the layer you’ve selected.
Layers in this list are displayed in order of visibility, starting with the foreground layer at the top. If you want to quickly conceal part of one layer with another, you can click and drag the layer, so it sits above it. This also applies when adding extras, like a new adjustment layer.
You can also turn a layer’s visibility off or on by clicking the Eye icon next to the layer in question. This is useful when you need to work on a lower layer without changing any work you’ve done on another layer.
At the top of the Layers panel are a handful of tools, the most commonly used ones (for beginners, at least) being Blending Modes, Opacity, and Fill. Photoshop lets you preview any changes using these tools, so play around to get a feel for how they’ll affect your image.
At the foot of the Layers panel are another selection of tools:
FX opens Layer styles, where you’ll find options like adding textures and shadows. Layer Mask adds a mask to the currently selected layer (we’ll get to masks in a moment). New Adjustment Layer offers options for changing the colors and tones of your layer. Group lets you place some layers into a single group, so you can make changes to them without affecting layers outside the group. New Layer adds a transparent layer to the list. Delete Layer is for removing unwanted layers by dragging them from the layers list and to the Trash Can icon.
Right-clicking on any layer in the panel opens up a context menu filled with other options, letting you duplicate or delete the layer, or create a clipping mask.
What Are Layer Masks?
Layer masks let you reveal or hide parts of a layer without using the Eraser tool, which is a destructive method for image editing.
Start by selecting the layer you want to work on, then press the Layer Mask button. You’ll see the mask appear beside the original image.
By default, the mask is white, meaning it’s visible. Once you start working on the mask, any black areas will show you what’s invisible.
Here’s how to get started:
Click on the layer mask. Select the Brush tool, making sure to choose black as the primary color. Run the brush over the canvas.
You’ll see that the image disappears, revealing the layer beneath it.
If you switch the Brush tool from black to white, you can bring back parts of the image that have been “erased.”
By holding down Shift and clicking on the Layer Mask, you’re also able to switch the mask on or off. Right-clicking it also gives you the option to Delete Layer, Disable Layer, or Apply Layer. This last option merges the layer and the mask into a single image, including any changes you’ve made.
What Are Clipping Masks?
At first glance, clipping masks look very similar to layer masks, allowing you to make edits to the layer below it. But where layer masks work on visibility/invisibility, clipping masks are generally used to toy with tone and color.
So, let’s say you want to tweak the coloring of your image’s subject, without changing any other part of the image. Ordinarily, if you add a new layer, like Black & White or Hue/Saturation, it’ll affect everything. Clipping masks prevent this.
Here’s how to create a clipping mask:
First, click on the New Adjustment Layer and select Hue/Saturation (or any other option, depending on your need). Drag this new layer above the layer you want to edit. In our case, the subject of our image. Right-click the Hue/Saturation layer and select Create Clipping Mask. You’ll see the layer indents above, with an arrow pointing to the layer below. Adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. Notice how this only affects the layer below it, and nothing else.
If you don’t need the clipping mask anymore, right-clicking the mask lets you Release Clipping Mask. However, if you don’t turn off or delete this adjustment layer, you’ll see any changes you’ve made will now impact everything else in your photo.
Making the Most of Photoshop Layers and Masks
You should now have a pretty good overview of what layers and masks are, and how you can use them to make edits to images.
As with all things Photoshop, it’s a good idea to start experimenting with these tools. The best part about these non-destructive tools is that any adjustments you make won’t impact your original photo. So, play around with them and see what you can create.
