What would I do without a "Layer Mask" ?

I am so thrilled to have a layer mask. Here is what it is? Let's say you want to add an ethereal glow or a blur to your image. Well, I tried this. I would make a selection around the person in the picture and then blur everything else. Even with a soft brush, it looked horrible. You could see the exact circle I drew around the person. Layer Mask saved me.

Essentially you can add any action to your photo, then you put a "layer mask" on the action layer in your layers pallette. You can then use the brush tool at a really low opacity and softness and by brushing over the person in the photograph, it will remove the effects of the action.

Here is a the original. I added an ethereal glow by Dave found at deviantart.com. Then I made a duplicate layer, so that I could add a gaussian blur to that. I then put a layer mask on the blur layer and removed the blur and glow from the face.


Here is with the effects added. You can see how the background is blury with an ethereal glow, but the person is not.

Here is the finished product with a little bit of powder room. I made the EYES stand out more. I also removed some discoloration in the lips using the clone tool. And of course, a little bit of burning to the edges.

So if you have photoshop elements like I do, then you may be confused on how I have a layer mask. Elements does not come with them. But the nice people over at coffee shop action, (see my side bar for the link) made a layer mask action for free. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

For a wonderful full tutorial on how to use layer masks, and what they are, click here on the pioneer women.