If you’re a beginner photographer, you’re just getting around to it. If you’re a professional, I’m sure you’ve done it more than once. Of course, I’m talking about image masking. Today we’re going to get to the bottom of what is image masking. I will also talk in detail about how you can use it to turn a photo into a real masterpiece.
If you’ve been taking pictures for years, then of course you have your favorite photo editor. Most often photographers use Photoshop or Lightroom. However, we can’t overlook Skylum’s Luminar Neo. It has many AI features, including images masking. With it, even beginners can do post-processing without any problems because post-processing is done in just a couple of clicks!
What Is Masking An Image?
Well, you can’t move on without a definition. In simple terms, masking is a method of picture editing that allows you to hide some parts of a photo and show others. What is the secret to the popularity of this method? It’s simple: it allows you to apply adjustments point by point, so you can choose what you want to change. Here are some cases where it will be very useful:
- Performing multi compositions;
- Hiding a part of a layer or all of it;
- Applying specific settings to a certain part of the picture.
And that’s not all. I have shown you just a few examples. In fact, the scope of masking is much wider!
Why Do We Need Masking?
Some beginner photographers wonder why they need it at all. The answer is very simple. This technique has no destructive effect on the picture.
If we use masking for image editing, we can always go back and make changes or fix stuff later. But if we go ahead and start erasing stuff we don’t want, it can be a pain in the butt if we need that stuff again later. And if we go ahead and cut something out of the image, we can’t easily add more stuff back in around it. But if we just want to hide something we cut out, we can do that with masking.
Masking is a powerful tool that allows us to manipulate images in a variety of ways. One of the most straightforward uses of masking is to hide or reveal certain portions of an image. However, masking can also be used to create interesting transition effects. By using a soft brush or gradient, we can give the image a more natural look and feel.
In addition to hiding and revealing portions of an image, we can also use masking to adjust the transparency of certain areas. For example, if we have a picture of a bright, shiny sky, we can make the sky appear less intense by brushing over it with a gray color. This will make the sky appear semi-opaque, and give the image a more balanced look.
While there are certainly other ways to achieve this effect, masking is often the easiest and most convenient technique to use. With just a few brush strokes, we can adjust the brightness and opacity of any area of the image, giving us greater control over the final result. Whether we’re editing a photograph for a professional project or simply tinkering with a personal image, it is a versatile and valuable tool for any photo editor. You can check out some awesome results at Wallpics.com
We’ve got why we need this tool, and now let’s look at the types of masking:
- Alpha mask. It is often referred to as soft masking. Why? Because it is used to mask thin and soft areas of the image. These include hair or fur. It’s not the easiest method, but it’s great for the aforementioned cases.
- Layer mask. This is one of the easiest ways to achieve the desired result. There are two types of brushes: black and white. The first allows you to make the object completely invisible, and the second is conversely. In this way, the user can color the areas he wants.
- Clipping mask. This method is most often used when you need to merge two photos. The mask has two layers: a top layer and a bottom layer. The first one displays the cropped image mask, and the second one determines the visibility.
- Vector mask. This option is often used when editing in Illustrator. The resolution has no effect on vectors. With such masks, you can extract an object from its original image and place it anywhere you desire.
You should choose the type depending on what your ultimate goal is.
Final Words
As you have already realized, camouflage is not only interesting but also very useful. At first glance, it seems difficult, but in reality, it is not so. With a little practice, you are sure to succeed! We wish you creative success and inspiration!
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