Sure, you can apply a preset or photo effect to your entire image, but why would you want to do that? There are certain instances when applying an effect globally will only hurt the image rather than make it better.
For instance, you wouldn’t want to apply a blemish removal filter found in Topaz Clean to the entire image. If you own a copy of Photoshop, there is a valuable tool you must start using now if you haven’t already. This feature is called layer masks.
In his book, The Digital Photographer’s New Guide to Photoshop Plug-Ins, author Scott Stulberg refers to layer masks as the “best kept secret in Photoshop.” By using layer masks with plugins, you are granted more control in the editing process as you can selectively apply adjustments to your image, while leaving other areas untouched.
So are you ready to have complete control in your editing workflow? Whether new or experienced with layer masks, read on for some tricks on how to use layer masking with plugins.
How to use Layer Masks
Layer mask (noun): An editable 8-bit grayscale channel that hides some or all pixels on a layer.
Learning how to use layer masks in Photoshop is fairly simple. While many plugins have their own masking and brush out capability, the flaw with these programs is that the mask does not save once you exit the program and return to your host editor. A benefit to using layer masks is that you can always come back and re-edit the mask.
1. To start, open an image in Photoshop. Here is the image I’ll be working with in this demo (an iPhone panoramic taken just outside of our Austin office): 
2. Next, duplicate the background layer by going to Layer → Duplicate Layer (shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + J).
3. Now that you’ve duplicated the layer, apply some sort of effect to the background copy layer. For this demo, I applied the Dramatic effect in Topaz Adjust to spice up the landscape, however I do not like what’s happened to the sky (the stitching of the panoramic has become more evident, most apparent in the middle of the image): 
4. Press OK to apply the effect, returning the image back to Photoshop. With your background copy layer selected, go to Layer-> Layer Mask. You will see two options here: Reveal All and Hide All. These two options let you paint in or paint out the filter’s effect with Photoshop’s brush tool. 
- By clicking Reveal All, you’ll get a white mask in your layers panel. White areas in a mask permit pixels to be seen.
- By clicking Hide All, you’ll get a black mask. Black areas hide pixels.
- To invert the selection, turning the black mask to white and vice versa, press Cmd/Ctrl + I.
6. For this demo, I will start with a black mask, and then use the brush tool to brush in the effect. Before brushing in, you’ll need to make sure that your foreground color swatch is white.
- The color swatches will be located at the bottom of your toolbar. The default colors should be black and white…press Ctrl/Cmd + D to reset them.
- The color in front represents the foreground color, while the color behind it represents the background color.
- To toggle back in forth between the two, press the X key.
7. Next, select the brush tool in your toolbar (shortcut key: B). Should another tool be selected, right click (or Ctrl + click) to expand the options to access the brush tool. 
8. Now we are ready to begin painting back in the effect. But first, you may want to adjust the size of your brush ( [ , ] keys). In the top menu bar there will also be a variety of brush options too, like opacity and flow.
Tip: If you start to brush in the effect but nothing happens, make sure that the layer mask is selected. Simply click on the black (or white) mask to select it.
Layer mask not selected
Layer mask selected
With a small brush size and reduced brush opacity, I’ll now begin painting back in the effect I had previously applied in Adjust.
As you can see above, the dynamics and tonalities in the landscape have been brought out. Part of the sky was then brushed in at a very low opacity. I made sure to not brush in the effect around the areas where the panoramic stitching is most evident.
Here’s the original image again:
Now that you know how to use layer masks, here are some other cases where you may want to consider using this technique.
Case 1: Skin Smoothing
Photo © Scott Stulberg
Certain plugins, like Topaz Clean, contain no masking or brush out capability. Knowing how to use layer masks is valuable as you wouldn’t want to apply a smooth skin filter to the entire image. Here at Topaz we often get questions about this: “Why has my entire image been flattened after using a skin smoothing preset in Clean?”.
As you can see above, the skin smoothing effect has been applied globally, removing texture and detail from the model’s hair and clothing. To fix this, the solution is simple: use layer masks.
By using layer masks in Photoshop, the skin smoothing effect from Clean was first hidden with a layer mask using (Layer Mask -> Hide All) and then brushed back into the skin, with the brush set to a lower opacity. The image was then finalized with some other trickery with the available tools in Ps, including the Spot Healing Brush for blemish removal.
Case 2: Noise Removal
Scott Stulberg ran into a problem when he took the photo above. Taken with a high-ISO, a considerable amount of noise was introduced into the photograph, becoming even more amplified when enlarged.
He was able to use DeNoise to successfully clean up the noise artifacts, however this also removed important details from the car, shed and trees where noise wasn’t as noticeable as the sky.
Using layer masks, Stulberg was able to brush away the strong noise reduction filter he used in the lower half of the image to make it appear less intense and bring back important details.
After noise reduction
Case 3: Selective Sharpening
Photo © Robyn Aber
While image sharpening is an applicable solution for bringing out the details and placing emphasis on the subject in focus, it is a technique you may not want to apply globally. For instance, you may want to use layer masks to sharpen eyes without sharpening the fine lines & wrinkles underneath. Other items that do not necessarily require sharpening include:
- Skies
- Water
- Human skin
- An out of focus background (bokeh)
- Areas with evident high ISO noise
- Areas of constant/flat color
What you do want to sharpen are the objects or elements to your image that you want to place emphasis on. Sharpening areas like the sky or out of focus objects is just going to worsen any apparent noise that’s already there. Think about it…sharpening is the opposite of noise removal – while one softens & smoothes unruly artifacts, the other sharpens the pixels that are there. So be cautious when using the two and know that you may use layer masks to selectively apply each technique where necessary.
What cases do you have for using layer masks?
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Dolon Akter
Better believe it, this is useful for those of us who are as yet getting settled with layers. It isn’t simply Topaz, correct? Regardless I haven’t purchased Topaz yet, truth be told, sitting tight for an awesome arrangement, and this is still valuable information. It works with any outsider module. You can likewise apply a change inside photoshop and utilize a similar strategy to veil everything out and after that exclusive paint in the part you like.
Andy
Toby is a troll. Please do not feed the trolls. Yes Toby, you are a troll.
And so is “Ahtnony” – only he’s not even clever enough to spell his own name properly.
Patty S
Sorry everyone, but I am a beginner as far as using masks go.
Darcy, for your example using masks and Topaz Clarity on your Austin Office photo, which brush type did you use? I am trying to figure out which of the many brush mode and types are good for each type of scene. I have PS Elements V12. Thanks in advance for your reply!
Darcy Wheeler
I used the default brush in Photoshop…it’s round and has soft edges. Hope this helps. -Darcy
Lori
I use Lightroom and Photoshop in my workflow. There is incredible power in both of these. Each of these products has fairly steep learning curves. The successful photo is born of the vision you, the photographer, whether personally (or client) driven, have for taking the photo. The realization of the vision requires achievement first in subject selection, composition, lighting and the like.
Neither the choice of software available for processing/post processing, nor the application of plugins to the workflow guarantee success. It all comes down to learning all that you can about each of the aforementioned so that you may, in the final analysis, have the outcome you and your client desire. Beginner? Proficient in one or more of the many available products? Incorporating them into your workflow is a personal choice. Yes, of course you could use PhotoShop, the primary subject in the title of this article, if applied to the fullest extent, to “do it all.”
Plugins are just that, not substitutes for the tools you already have, but additions to the tools you already have at hand, shortcuts if you will, to arriving at your destination. They are not, nor were they ever intended to be replacements for your primary post processing software, nor an excuse not to pursue working knowledge of that software.
I, as many photographers do, appreciate the speed and efficiency of plugins in enhancing my workflow. As a photographer/artist I see each plugin I own (the Topaz suite, NIK, OnOne, FilterForge, PhotoZoom) as colors on my palette. It was my choice to add them, each based upon their unique features. Each of them has its place in my workflow and I am grateful for them. By the way, none of us are forced to buy any/all of this software.
Each of us is responsible for informing ourselves and choosing what fits for us. If an article or video does not appeal to you, leave it. The first few lines or introductory paragraph will likely let you know if you will find value in continuing with it.
Thank you, Darcy and Topaz, for continuing your ways of offering learning opportunities relative to your plugins and PhotoShop.( Why PhotoShop? It is still the most prevalent software in use for processing photos.)
Bob
I fully concur………..no more to be said
OldRdioGuy
What was the earlier comment about learning something every day and and a recommendation to avoid putting everyone down?
Photoshop is not the only product on the planet. PhotoLine is very different, difficult to master for those coming from a Photoshop environment and extremely “geeky.” True, it won’t do everything found in Photoshop, but it has excellent features not found in Photoshop. It is a very powerful piece of software for 59 Euro — no cloud required. But both run Topaz plugins in layers.
Let’s be civil. Chill out, folks.
Fran
I am learning so much about photoshop and many tricks and it is helpful. Did not learn anything new in this article but I’d like to mention something I did learn with Topaz Filters. That with most filters (not liquify for sure), if you turn your photo into a SMART OBJECT it will automatically correct with or open up with a layer mask. this was so cool for me to discover because I was not familiar at the time with many of the new tricks I’ve learned with layer masks and Topaz had frustrated me many times with this overall problem.
But all is good now and I will always try my filters on a smart object first. I have not gone through all of the topaz filters, and it’s been a while as to which one I used last, so just play with them all and have as much fun learning as I am.
Mikki
Whom ever is responsible for hosting this web site should monitor the comments and delete those that are inappropriate, off topic or not helpful.
Toby
This morning I received an email from Topaz Labs in Austin Texas saying they had fixed the ‘bug’ in Topaz Clean. They will soon be releasing a FREE upgrade for those customers who already owned the product.
So all’s well that ends well.
Toby
To Yorkie
August 25, 2014
Alas, poor Yorkie! I knew him not; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fantasy.
Toby
Bob Wallace
August 25, 2014
I am not a beginner…………………nor am I the Complete Article of Perfection where Photoshop or Plug-Ins are concerned. I have, however, taken the time and effort to invest in learning Photoshop………….etc. etc
Let us be nice to each other and share the knowledge…………Peace out.
Thank you Bob Wallace for your calming words. I would like to share a Photoshop “tip” with you, that I only learnt recently. Maybe you know this ‘tip’ already, but it was new to me.
1.) Open a photo, in Photoshop, that you would like to see in black & white.
2.) Create a NEW LAYER (not a duplicate layer)
3.) Select the ADJUSTMENT LAYER icon. From the menu choose SOLID COLOUR
4.) When the COLOUR WINDOW opens make sure the RGB is… R=0… G=0…B=0 . This will produce solid BLACK
5.) Change the BLEND MODE to COLOUR.
6.) From here you can use LEVELS or CURVES or BRIGHTNESS & CONTRAST, all found in the ADJUSTMENT LAYER’s menu, to ‘tweak’ the photo.
Toby
To Gary Brook. Nice language. If you are such a pro at Photoshop, why are you even looking at this site. You already know everything that there is to know about everything. Have a nice day!
If you remember, Gary Brook, my first comment was “I get News letters from Topaz.” That is why I was looking at the site.
Darcy Wheeler, who demonstrated, from a book written by Scott Stulberg “The Importance of Using Layer Masks with Plugins” , mentioned TOPAZ CLEAN several times. TOPAZ CLEAN is a plug-in I have, but it is flawed, and has been since it was launched some months ago.
It would be nice if TOPAZ CLEAN could be used the way she suggests. That is why I bought it to their attention. I bought the product in May and reported the ‘bug’ soon after.
I received confirmation from Topaz that other users had also reported a problem in the software.
A public forum, like this, is where people can openly discuss what appears in articles they are offered. “THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN PHOTOSHOP ” seems to have created much criticisms about the use of the word “Secrets,” and the use of software which doesn’t work concerns me as a reader.
Have you taken the time to watch any tutorial videos by Guy Gowan. He uses no plug- ins at all. Everything you need to enhance/change the appearance of a photo is in Photoshop.
My point is, that while plug-ins give users a ‘quick’ result, they are not really necessary, when you dig deep into Photoshop. Particularly their latest version.
yorkie
Toby – you really need to get a life – your self esteem must be minimal if you have to resort to attention seeking like this – there are plenty of people who do not have the time / inclination or desire to learn photoshop inside out – a good workman knows how to make the best use of all tools available to him and there’s no such thing as a hammer which will meet all their needs – grow up, get a life and move on – your contributions are pathetic.
Vince Guzzo
Darcy, Great article. Layer masks are a part of every good editors workflow. Thanks again for addressing them.
Vince
Pat McCauley
Thanks for the tutorial – I am a beginner and have always read about layers but didn’t know how to work them so unlike some of the ‘twerps’ writing nasty comments, I would like to thank you for your work. If everyone took time to write and explain techniqes instead of putting others down the world would be a better place. Thanks again – off to practice!
Rochelle Berman
It is too bad to waste time with such useless bickering! I use all the tools in many different ways- lightroom, photoshop, topaz, and many other plug ins! I love Topaz- thank you for the great tutorials and all the flexibility with Topaz Sometimes I just duplicate layers and simply use eraser to get back some of original image that I want to keep each time. The potential is unlimited. Thank you for your time and help!
Toby
Gary Brook you are such a dickhead. Topaz Plug-ins are not the end all of photo enhancing.
Look at Guy Gowan website. All the controls you need for photo enhancing are already incorporated in Photoshop. All photo plug-ins offered are just extensions of options already available if only YOU knew how to use the Photoshop software properly.
If there is a ‘bug’ to Topaz then I would expect them to fix. Not give lip service. But that’s the USA for you. All tip and no iceberg.
Gary Brook
Nice language. If you are such a pro at Photoshop, why are you even looking at this site. You already know everything that there is to know about everything. Have a nice day!
Bob Wallace
I am not a beginner…………………nor am I the Complete Article of Perfection where Photoshop or Plug-Ins are concerned. I have, however, taken the time and effort to invest in learning Photoshop.
I have also invested a small fortune in “Plug-Ins” (Topaz, NIK, onOne and the rest) in the belief that they would solve my problems………………they did not, but I only discovered that fact after I became conversant with Photoshop and the “Penny Dropped”
Working with Photoshop can be incredibly frustrating (particularly for beginners) but it can be very rewarding once the “Penny Drops” and we get into the real deal of understanding the “Photoshop Language” and how to differentiate it from “Conventional Language”……………….It is basically a representation of Black (0) to White (255) on the RGB Scale with Greys in between……….That is the simple version but the journey of discovery can be a long one
Non Destructive Layers, Filters, Luminance Values, Layer Masking, Alpha Channels, Pixels, Vectors etc. can be quite bewildering to the uninitiated. It takes time to learn them, but we really need to invest time and effort in learning our craft because none of us are born with all the senses to know the thousand and one ways to do just about everything in Photoshop.
Sadly, I have discovered that there is no “Big Hammer” or “One Size Fits All” solution to working with Photoshop. Plug-Ins represent a “Shortcut” but somebody has already done the work for us in Photoshop……………..we get (Buy) the end result and rarely are they complete……….just the same as rarely do “Photoshop Filters” work to our satisfaction when they are initially applied without reference to other factors.
Plug-Ins is a convenient “Starting Point”…………..not an “End Point”…………..our unique “Skill Set” and knowledge will dictate the rest
In order to fully appreciate and understand the “Growth Industry” of “Photoshop Plug-Ins” and what they do to our Images, we firstly need to understand Photoshop itself. In so doing we will have a better appreciation of how the “Effects” are created as a potential “Quick Fix” to our aspirations.
In many cases we can “Reverse Engineer” the “Plug-In Effect” and tweak them to our preferred settings but we firstly need to know where to do it…………and that essentially required a good working knowledge of Photoshop.
The point has already been made and whilst it might be difficult to stomach, it is a fact that Plug-Ins are extensions of Photoshop Options/Combinations……..but we need to know how to apply and control those Extensions/Combinations
In reality, we will rarely need Plug-Ins once we have a sound working knowledge of Photoshop, but most of us (myself included) need time to get to that realisation. With few exceptions, there is nothing that we can do with a Plug-In that we cannot do with the vast number of Photoshop Tools & Filters
We are all at different stages of development and learning……….It took me a long time to learn that with a lot of effort (some of which were quite frustrating)
Plug-Ins alone is “NOT” the answer (Topaz or others………and there are plenty of them out there) We actually need to understand that Plug-Ins are “Filters” that affect the appearance of our Images.
Global applications od Filters (Plug-Ins) are fine if we want that, but “Selective Masking” is also an important part of the wider process.
If we do not understand the basics of Photoshop we are highly unlikely to understand and appreciate the “Plug-Ins” either because they are essentially the same thing
Let us be nice to each other ands share the knowledge…………Peace out
Bob Walalce
I have seen some definitely helpful and some potentially helpful comments ………..but only if they are taken in context. I am not a beginner, but I can take myself back to when that was the case. I had high expectations based to some extent upon my ignorance of the technicalities. My knowle3dge base has increased and I now understand that with the best will in the world, things will often go wrong and it will not necessarily be the fault of the software in question………….In some cases the faults were entire attributable to other factors on my Computer. ASs another contributor has commented, we often need to “Lighten-Up” so that we can be the “Creative People” that we want to be……..It is a continuous “learning Cure” for all concerned…from “Beginner” to 2Experincved Operative”……………..I am not a beginner but I am still Learning and there is still a lot of Learning to be done; one of which is that things will occasionally not turn out as we expect because our “Expectations” are unrealistic. Software can only do so much for Photographs!!!…………..Peace out
James Campbell
Lot of tension here lads. OK, the headline language is a bit extravagant (but not debilitating); and the content is valid. For those who don’t often use layers/masks, this sort of reminder is a revelation; even some of us who use layers frequently may forget or neglect some of the possibilities that the resource offers. Remember – not everyone has the same needs. Sneering doesn’t help anyone
Bruce
Nice quick review of basic skills and how important they are. Succinct and effective.
Bob
Though for many people this is not news or some esoteric idea, it does beg the question as to why Topaz does not have the feature in any of it’s plugin to automatically create a new adjustment layer whenever the plugin is used, as do some other major plugin vendors.
securesocket
OK. So the title could have been more clear. I like these 5 minute style lessons. It’s very easy for experienced folks to sweep over things in their demos/tips/lessons that they think everyone knows. For many folks in our photo club, this high-level and easy to understand lesson is written at the perfect level, with real examples they could use to learn how to use layer masks – with or without Topaz. Nice job.
Toby
I enjoy receiving the Topaz newsletters by email. Sometimes they demonstrate something I knew, but had forgotten. Other times it can be a lesson/tutorial that I found very useful. In this newsletter, TOPAZ CLEAN is mentioned. My copy of TOPAZ CLEAN has a ‘bug’ which Topaz knows about, but doesn’t seem capable of fixing, or is not interested in fixing. Emails have gone back and forth between myself and Topaz, but the problem is still not fixed. Ryan Patin, from Topaz Labs keeps assuring me it will be fixed ONE DAY.
My suggestion to Topaz Labs is …GET ON WITH FIXING YOUR OWN SOFTWARE PROBLEMS FIRST.
Customers like me may not be interested in future plug-ins Topaz creates, if they are not ‘bug free’ before releasing them.
Gary Brook
Can you tell me of any software that is bug free. These plug-ins are fantastic and make a huge difference in making fantastic art. In the end it’s your choice to decide to purchase or not. This is not the place to complain about your specific issue and how you don’t “feel” that they are attending to your specific needs.
H
So anyone that knew already is a troll? Thanks for the helpful clarification.
Lois
I am not a beginner but as I don’t do much processing to my images and use lightroom first iIhad forgotten about layer masks. I agree that these negative types must be masters of there craft. Obviously they never need to alter a photo as they are so great. Get a life guys beginner or not these things are handy to know or be reminded of.
Barrie
Come on guys, why do people have to take everything seriously? “The best kept secret in Photoshop” It is a marketing strategy, there to gain your attention. Of course layers are not a secret, how to use them to best effect? not known by everyone! I have been a photographer for 40 years and I learn something every day. Stop trying to put everyone down and get out there and take better pictures. Topaz is a set of fantastic tools, I use them all the time.
lynn
Very well said… We are creatives….use your experience and expertise to constantly learn and grow. Topaz is a superlative post process tool but it doesn’t initiate or inspire our vision behind the camera.
Keep seeking the best light!
Al Scott
The trolls here saying “this is no secret” are only doing so to prop themselves up – and to pretend they know it all. Dollars to donuts half these motards didn’t know what a layer mask was. LOL!
Dave Hargus
I am surprised Topaz did not cover Layers use with Simplify. I always use layers when I apply Simplify to remove those “spiderwebs” Simplify causes in trees or to paint back some of the detail in other areas of the image.
Darcy Wheeler
Very good point! For demo purposes only 3 specific cases were covered, however using layer masks with Simplify is another good point. You might also check out this advanced method on removing webbing in Simplify: http://blog.topazlabs.com/how-to-remove-webbing-in-topaz-simplify/
Harry
PShop and layers. Sure it has them. You want to see layers extraordinaire, try PhotoLine (about $100). Its use of layers makes PShop look like Klutzshop.
H
No it doesn’t. Not in any way at all.
Barrie
Photoline doesn’t come anywhere near what Photoshop does. Sorry Harry you are talking rubbish and misleading others. Perhaps you get a commission?
Johan
Why is Topaz not building the selective options into their own tools. Now I need Photoshop for correcting Topaz-changes. I was interested in the Topaz tools as a plugin for Lightroom (that I have), but now it seems I need Photoshop as well. Now I am not that sure about Topaz anymore.
Darcy Wheeler
Several of our plugins do contain brush out / masking features, however there are a few that still do not (which I tried to focus on in this article, e.g. Clean & DeNoise). One benefit to using layer masks over the available brush out tools in programs like Adjust & Clarity is that you can always come back and re-edit that layer mask.
Once you exit a Topaz plugin, the mask you created cannot be saved or adjusted (unless working with ReMask, which will save your extraction onto a new layer mask back in Ps).
JimD
I use the masking ability of some Topaz programs often. Sometimes applying different masks to a TIFf image.
My main Photo app is ACDSee 6pro and the topaz plugins with their own masks are ideal. I also use PSPX6 but mainly ACDSee.
My typical workflow would be ACDSee raw conversion. Acdsee to crop, edit, colour change and other develop and general adjustments save as TIFF. Then Topaz denoise, followed by Topaz clarity. Acdsee to create jpeg and print as required . Other Topaz plugins I use to create what I want from time to time.
If I am doing a lot of layers and masking I will use PSP x6 after developing in ACEDSee.
Richard
I’ve been using the masks within Topaz Detail for some time now. But, I have never used a layer mask. Now, I know how. So, even if the others thought this tutorial was a waste of time, it wasn’t a waste for me. Thank-you. Ready for the next tutorial.
Robert
Yeah, this is helpful for those of us who are still getting comfortable with layers. It isn’t just Topaz, right? I still haven’t bought Topaz yet, in fact, waiting for a great deal, and this is still useful info. It works with any 3rd party plugin. You can also apply a change within photoshop and use the same technique to mask everything out and then only paint in the part you like.
Ahtnony
Click bait.
Layer masks are as much a “best kept secret” as the brush tool, whether it be for beginners or advanced. Don’t know anyone who is not aware of layer masks….
How to use successfully? That is whole other issue… but not a secret.
Al Scott
So because YOU are aware of layer masks everyone else is? Troll.
MI
Ah, but this is actually about Internet Marketing. A lot of people do use masks (deep down, the authors probably kind of know that) but mif you call something a Secret, more people click through. Of course people do feel let down when they find that a Secret they clicked on is really just a hook but marketers know that if the title was completely honest e.g. Three Great Ways to Use Photoshop Masks with Topaz Filters, they might not get so many clicks. Maybe there should be a list of words that are critically endangered which should be banned from Internet Marketing unless used honestly – Secret and Hidden could be top of the list.
Minotaurus007
Layers – that’s what Photoshop is for! MC is completely right.
Although it is not a secret at all, it is good to be reminded that all these wonderful filters (NIK; Topaz; Portraiture; … ) can be used selectively. I admit I often “forget” this.
-Mino
SNWFF
I have to agree with MC. The title should be “best kept secret for beginners.”
MC
Layer masks are a secret? I think they started around version 4 (not CS4, but 4… when Photoshop shipped on a stack of floppies…). Sheesh.
Mark
Not everyone is as fortunate to be the genius that is you. Of course this tutorial is useful for people. Those people are called beginners. Lighten up, you’ll live longer.