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Trade Tricks: Layer Masks

Gain more control over your photos with this key image-processing tool

Possibilities include selective sharpening (copy your image to a new layer, sharpen it, add a Layer Mask, fill it with black, then paint in just what needs to be sharpened); darkening a sky (add an Adjustment Layer to darken the sky, then use the Gradient tool to create a blended Layer Mask from white for the darkened sky to black for the unaffected ground); and opening shadows (add an Adjustment Layer to lighten shadows, fill the Layer Mask with black, then paint in the lightened shadows).

 

 

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