Lesson Description
You learn how to apply luminosity masks (highlights and shadows) directly on the layer mask or adjustment you have selected. The aim is to control where acts an adjustment, using luminance as a criterion: white affects, black protects. You'll see how to switch between mask view and layer view to choose the right level, and how to avoid “contaminating” the mask when you already have adjustments active.
What you will learn
- Create a base mask if your layer does not already have a mask (prerequisite for applying luminosity).
- Apply masks of lights and shadows at different levels depending on what you want to protect/select.
- Use the “live” mask view to compare levels quickly before deciding.
- Apply an Exposure setting on auroras without bursting the areas protected by the mask.
- Prevent a new mask level from being generated from the “already set result” (by deactivating the settings view before testing levels).
Advice
When you are going to test different levels of light/shadows, do this with the mask view active; and if you have already applied an adjustment, deactivates the settings view before generating another mask, so that the luminance is read from the base image and not from the “already touched” result.
Practical Checklist
- I create a base mask on the layer/adjustment before applying luminosity.
- I compare 2-3 light levels with active mask view and choose the one that selects just what I need.
- For a subsequent shadow mask, I deactivate active adjustments and choose the level again from the base image.
Technical Glossary
Protection: black areas of the mask that are outside the adjustment.
Luminescence mask: mask based on brightness levels (highlights/shadows) to select by luminance.
Mask view: display mode that shows you the mask (black/white) instead of the layer.