• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
ScrapGirls
  • SHOP
  • LEARN HOW
  • BLOG
  • FORUM
  • CHAT
  • CONTACT US
Select Page
Home / All Posts / A Little Photo Mask Magic

A Little Photo Mask Magic

photo masks tutorial header
Just like with any hobby, words and jargon might not make a lot of sense to new scrapbookers. “Mask” is one of these words. To the rest of the world, a mask is something you wear with a costume. Or to rob a bank. Or maybe it’s a type of tape you use to cover trim while painting. You might wonder what masks have to with Photoshop/Photoshop Elements and why people keep talking about them.


In digital scrapbooking terms,

a mask is simply a way to change the appearance of a layer
without actually altering it.

There are about a million applications for masks in Photoshop Elements. For example, a clipping mask (shortcut: Ctrl-G) forces a layer to take on the exact size and shape of the layer below it. I like to imagine a photo or paper being folded under the mask layer. You haven’t trimmed them away, all of the extra parts are still there, waiting, just in case you change your mind and unclip it from the mask. Since it doesn’t matter what the shape of the mask is, our talented scrapbooking designers create beautiful and intricate masks for us to use.

use clipping mask to add photo to mask
In this particular example, I used ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Stacked Photos, Vol. 6. Each of the masks comes with a frame and a shadow layer. Clip your picture to the mask, add some embellishments, and you’ve got a layout.

layers panel showing clipped photo

completed layout using photo mask

Some photo masks include a few more layers, so they look a little more complicated, but they work the same. You just clip a photo to each mask layer.
In the next example, I used ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Out of Bounds Frames, Vol. 3. I used three copies of the same photo, each clipped to a different photo mask. Each mask can be combined with the others to create different looks, with the photo “spilling” out of the frame in different places, depending on the look wanted. By clicking on the Eye icon by each mask in the Layers palette, I can play around until I get the look I want.clipping same photo multiple times

layout using muti layered mask I hope you’ll experiment with photo masks. They are an easy way to create interesting shapes and designs with your pictures, all with the click of a few buttons. Be sure to upload your layouts to the Scrap Girls Gallery so we can all be inspired!

Photo Mask products used: (Click on image to be taken to product page)

A template kit containing photo masks

ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Out of Bounds

Other products used:

Effortless Collection Biggie

Basketball Dream Team Collection Mini

ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Shadow Me 6301

Anna MansfieldTutorial written by Anna Mansfield

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to the SG Design Shop Blog - where modern memory keeping meets heritage scrapbooking! Here you'll find digital products and all the inspiration you need to complete your projects.

subscribe-imgTo our Free Newsletter

Search the blog

Favorite Categories


Learn How Sidebar Badge
Tutorials Sidebar Badge
hybrid projects sidebar button
art journaling sidebar button
mobile scrapping sidebar button
planners sidebar button

Connect with us

SG Facebook Image

Partners

Qwiklearn -The easiest way to learn digital scrapbooking!

Adobe Photoshop Affiliate Badge

Links

  • About Us
  • Storefront
  • Terms of Use
  • FAQs

HELP

  • Contact Us
  • Email

FOLLOW US

     

© 2023 Scrap Girls - All Rights Reserved.Privacy PolicySite Map