Joe and Mary Ann McDonald's

Wildlife Photography

July-August 2008

How difficult is it to master MASKS?

When I was learning Photoshop several years ago and I was reading, or at least buying, countless books on Photoshop, the concept of Masks was introduced or explained and, quite frankly, the concept of Masks eluded me on several fronts. Most importantly, I failed to understand how critically important Masks can be for fine-tuning an image in Photoshop, and how often and how versatile a Mask can be for doing all sorts of fine-tuning. Secondly, the concept and explanations for creating and using a Mask generally made me confused, and I never felt as if I understood the concept of Masks properly or used a Mask effectively. That was then .... this is now, and I now feel like I'm a master of Masks. Why?

I must credit my two main Photoshop instructors, Ellen Anon and Rick Holt, for clearing up the concept, for in our first year of doing Photoshop courses here at Hoot Hollow Rick or Ellen employed Masks frequently, and in those courses -- where I functioned more as a lab assistant than an instructor back then -- I finally understood what I'd been reading about for years. And it was easy, and it's gotten easier.

What can a Mask do? It can target an area for target-specific adjustments via an Adjustment Layer, it can fine-tune an area for focusing, it can selectively blur out an area, it can assist immeasureably in compositing images, and it is incredibly versatile and flexible in doing so. There are tricks to see a mask, to fine tune the edge, to have a Mask overlay to see where you're applying an effect, to make a Mask out of a selection or, even better, after fine-tuning a Mask making that Mask INTO a selection.

While the above paragraph provides some insight into the uses, it doesn't address the question - How difficult is this to do? And the answer is, it is easy, provided you are guided correctly. Although we spend a great deal of time on this concept, and the application of Masks in our Photoshop classes, I even do so in our Digital Complete Nature Photo Courses, where most students master the concept after just one afternoon.

How do you learn it? There are plenty of books that cover Masks, some entirely devoted to the subject, but I've observed that virtually ALL of our students, regardless of the course, have felt confusion and a sense of not fully utilizing a Mask (when they knew anything about it) before taking our courses. I'd say that the best way to learn Masks is to do one of our courses, and next year we'll be offering a host of Photoshop and Digital Nature Photo Courses that will make Masks a cherished part of your photography life!


Previous Questions of the Month

Digital Questions

WHY WE SWITCHED FROM Nikon to Canon
Does the automatic sensor cleaning feature of the Mark III really work?

What is our initial Digital Workflow?
What is our Digital Workflow in the Lab?
 How do I keep track of Digital Files?
Is Shooting in the RAW format worthwhile?
What is the Difference?
How can you capture a sharp image and angel hair on a windy day? 
 
Can you match the Histograms?
How do we meter White?

 Is the Mark II the ultimate wildlife digital camera?
What is DEC? 
 Wildlife Models - Is there anything new to shoot?

Do You Need a Big Printer?
Can a Wimberley Head be used with small lenses?
 What is Reality? Adobe's powerful LIGHTROOM Program
Why must you have at least 2 digital backups?
 Is Digital Manipulation - a benign alternative to interacting in the natural world?
 Film or Digital? - Why you should shoot film!
 Does the Visibledust cleaning system really work?

Camera Techniques

Photo Trap - The Pro's Secret Weapon
LensCoat camera, lens, and tripod covers

What Equipment do we usually take afield?
Does the AutoFocus on the EOS 1D Mark III work?
Which Macro Lens is for You?

What is the Most Important thing you can do before a Workshop?
 
How many Flashes do you need to effectively illuminate hummingbirds?
What is the best shutter speed for panning running mammals?

Is there an easy way to level a camera for panorama shots?
Is the New Wimberley head worth having?
Is an L-Shaped Camera Bracket worth the Money? You bet it is!
Using Zoom lenses with tele-converters and extension tubes -- can you use both together?

Are Image Stabilization Lenses Worth the Money?
What the heck is the Scheimpflug Law?
What is the Best Composition?
Should you have a depth of field Preview button on your camera?

 How do you determine distances?
Hyperfocal Distance
Apertures for Macro


FLASH AND REMOTES

Flash and Tele-flash Techniques
What is the best flash for closeup and macro photography?
What is the most versatile remote release camera firing system?
 
How do you shoot high-speed action images?
How did I shoot the gliding Sugar Glider?
How did I photograph that flying wasp?
What the heck is a Plamp?

IN THE FIELD

Can Photographing Wildlife Models make Conservation Sense?
Is Kenya safe to visit in 2008?

What I did on my summer 'vacation.'

Why is Yellowstone the best for wildlife photography in the US?
Is a Trip to Antarctica Worth it?
What is the best season to do a photo safari in East Africa?

What is the Big Lie? The truth about Kenya's Tourism--it is SAFE!
Which Mountain Park is better for wildlife - Denali or Torres del Paine?
What are our Five Favorite Shooting Locales?

How can you attract insectivorous birds to your feeding stations and bait sites? 
How do you make things happen in wildlife photography?

What is the best Car Window Mount?
How can you save your shoulders?
How can you reduce contrast and the effect of wind for flower and macro photography?
What is the best Game Caller?
How Easy is Whale Photography?
Why Can't You Feed A Bear?
What is our Favorite bird-shooting location?

 

 

Contact us by e-mail: info@hoothollow.com