Precise and powerful photo editing: 2 methods for creating luminosity masks in Adobe Photoshop

 

 

Luminosity masks are masks which are created based upon the luminosity of the image and can help you selectively adjust shadows, midtones and highlights in your image. In the video below, Jesús Ramirez of Photoshop Training Channel shows us two methods for creating and using luminosity masks in Adobe Photoshop.

The video below breaks down and provides step-by-step directions for creating luminosity masks using channels and an alternative technique which relies upon color range. With precise, targeted selections and masking techniques, it is possible to make natural-looking adjustments. Before getting into the tutorial, it's worth remembering that when dealing with layer masks in Photoshop, white reveals and black conceals. Shades of gray offer differing levels of transparency. By default, after you have created a layer mask, the entire layer is white and everything below the layer shows through. Ramirez's tutorial shows us how to create layer masks based upon the luminosity of the image, rather than needing to make manual selections.

(Via Photoshop Training Channel)