Concept:
Masking is used to reveal or hide the specific portion of the image.
We will learn the first, very basic type of masking technique in
this lesson.
1. Open Photoshop. Open Image to work with layer masking
basics.

2. Please understand the concept carefully. When you
open the image the default layer is "Background" and it
is locked. Masking option is not activated in this condition. You
need to unlock the layer.
3. Double click and rename the layer to unlock it.
If you don't name it, it will take Layer 0 as a default name.

4. Using Elliptical Marquee tool, select the middle
portion of an image.

5. Layer > Layer Mask
> Reveal Selection.
Since the image has only one layer, it will be as follows before
saving.

6. The layer will show the masking
thumbnail.
7. The portion selected by the Elliptical Marquee
tool is revealed and rest of the portion of the image is hidden
by the mask. Here is the final image after saving it in Jpeg format.

|