The hallmark of every graphics designer is to deliver all works with a touch of perfection. This can only be achieved by the combination of patience and finesse in dealing with difficult tasks that you are faced with. In most cases, it is for you to edge out a subject from its background in a photograph. Image masking is one of the most important Photoshop skills that you can use for clipping out images of various properties.
Image masking is a non-destructible process of image editing which functions by hiding some portions of an image and revealing some other portions. You can use it to cut out a portion of an image from a whole picture without giving the image uneven edges which could occur with the use of an ordinary image cutter. Image masking is known for its versatility. It can be used for a couple of more things:
- It is a convenient Backdrop Removal Technique
Image masking allows you as a professional to make changes to the masks later, as and when you need the same. This technique comes in handy when you wish to conceal some area of an image that you have cut out. However, you can use masking technique to clip out the backdrop of an object that is translucent such as the backdrop of glass types of items. It can also be applied to replace the backdrop of cloth that has some measures of transparency such as mesh or muslin cloth if required.
- It can be used to conceal and reveal
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the simplest usage of Image masking is for concealing and revealing portions of photographs. This transition effect can be actualized by using an exceptionally soft masking brush tool or gradient tool for it. You can also control the transparencies of the portion of a photo, such as an exceedingly bright sky. In such cases, you can make the extremely bright portion of the sky to look dimmer by making that part semi-opaque, by brushing it with gray. Definitely, there are vast numbers of options that you can use, however, this seems to be the relatively easiest technique.
- It can be used to change the area of a photo
More often than not, people love to alter the portion of an image. For instance, you can have a client who wants you to change the color of a model’s garment and re-size the photo. You can firstly make use of an Image mask to separate the image portion from the rest of the photo. Then, other changes such as color correction, exposure changes and resizing of the photo can be done.
- …to make photo collages
As a professional editor, you can make almost any kind of collage photograph with the use of masking technique. Trickery amazing effects with different images can be done, and by the application of masking on the portions. You can make use of gray gradients and soft brushes so as to achieve smooth transitions.
Although, there are many graphics software has been designed to support this feature. However, Adobe Photoshop software is basically used for image masking service.
We have three main types of Image masking in Photoshop. These are:
- Layer Masking
Layer masking can be used to change the visibility of an image’s layer. With it, you can make any portion of the picture completely visible or partially visible.
- Clipping Mask
Clipping masks determines the transparency of one layer by making use of another layer.
- Alpha Channel Masking
This is a bit complex way of making, as compared to the other two types which are fairly simple.
Conclusively, in other to be more professional as an editor, image masking is inevitable towards getting nice images done for your clients.
