Mastering Photoshop Masks: Professional Strength Image Editing Techniques for Photographers

I have almost everything Robin Whalley has written, because I know in advance that he will cover his subject with just the right combination of thoroughness and overview to give his topic justice. This particular book is far and away the best book on Photoshop masking that is out there. I also strongly recommend his book on layers and the book illustrating nine essential Photoshop techniques. I cannot say enough about this author. He is among the best of the best.

Everything you need to know about the layers and the masks in Photoshop. From zero to pro. Concise, simple, enlightening.This is not a book on artistic or creative technique. The author uses couple of images to create "pseudo" art (amateurish), but it's actually another pro of the book as it's a book about the Photoshop _general_ technique and the adjustments author uses on these images are very illustrative in this regard. (as opposed to some PS books where image is perfect even before the effect, but awaits, even if forever, for that last slider/button press to demonstrate what the button does)This is how documentation should be written. Excellently done, Robin Walley!

I've purchased luminosity masking software and guides on how to use them but never got the results or "hang" of how to use them effectively. I bought this book as a last ditch effort to really put the masks to work for me. This book finally gave me the guidance I needed to move ahead. Robin writes very well and I was able to follow his instructions and examples. New photography software is now offering luminosity masking as part of the package but they don't provide a good tutorial about how to use it. Masking is very easy now.The techniques in this book can be applied easily to my current post process flow and no need to purchase new software.

great book, easy read. What I liked most was that the process was explained simply. Usually books have such intricate examples that it's hard to see how to apply the process to anything else. While this book did have examples to follow along to, it also explained it so simply that I finally got it. Now I just have to practice as applying what I learned is more of an art than a technical process.

As a Lightroom user who decided it was time to use Photoshop for more detailed image modification it became clear that I had to use layers in a more sophisticated way and that meant I had to use masks. This is the best book I have found to clearly show how to use them.

This is finally a book I could work through to help understand a critical operation in Photoshop. Down to earth, not too technical like most of the other manuals. Anyone desiring to add masking to their arsenal in Photoshop should definitely check out this book.

Very helpful, clear treatment of a tricky feature that is not self-evident from the UI. Examples are highly realistic and typical of actual photo work.

Used Photoshop for years, but alway had little questions about masks. This is a great reference, and yes, expanded my masking knowledge, and detailed. Have bought books in past, and seemed they always leave out a step, which can be confusing.

Once again the author has produced a very thorough and good value book. The chapters cover painting a mask, channel masks, luminosity masks, selection based masking techniques and mask refinement techniques plus worked examples on files that can be downloaded free. It is necessary to know the basics of Photoshop before starting on this book, but he has written another book to provide these. I am just beginning to feel that I understand a little of what I can do with Photoshop after months of being completely baffled and out of my depth. This book is a good introduction for me to these more advanced techniques although I was pleased to read the recommendation for Lumenzia at the end of the book as installing that extension makes luminosity masking much easier than producing the masks from scratch as described in the book. It is still usuful to know how to do this though. I have only given 4 stars because the book needs the attention of a proofreader.

I have to agree with all of the other reviewers, his books are well written, clear and to the point. He tells you what you need to know and explains it so well, leaving you with no-doubt about what you have to do and how to do it and I am sure you will discover a few little things that you were totally unaware of. He doesn't take you down any unnecessary paths, only the important ones. I'd recommend his books to anyone, beginner or professional.

Really excellent. I've tried to understand Photoshop from various books and authors, as well as paid for video tutorials. It's been slow and often confusing progress.This book, however, is very clear and straighforward to follow. I'm about half-way through and everything I've covered so far, including luminosity masks, has been comprehended and I am now confident enough to do them myself.Some sections have taken two reads through and practices, but it's been a revelation to have techniques that have baffled me for years suddenly click into place.

Really Impressed. Don't let the slightly odd look of the Amazon page put you off. It is a private printing I guess, and there are a few typos around in the paper version.But ...he covers a very wide range of masking and selecting methods clearly and simply, with excellent illustrations of screen shots . None of that awful "click in xxxx icon" and you can't find that icon anywhere. If one wants to know how to mask using luminosity etc, and also how to use the various selection tools, then it would be difficult to find a better book.Well thought out, clearly written and illustrated, a steady progression. Excellent.

this is a really excellent deep assessment of masking - well written with easy to follow examples. I suspect that unless you are a really serious PS Guru, yu will find something new in here since several of the techniques are things you do not read about in magazine articles