Are you puzzled by using masks in Photoshop?
Then you may be interested in a PhotoWhoa masterclass called “Understanding The Power Of Masks In Photoshop”, which I review in this blog post.
Spoiler–it taught me a couple of masking tricks that I would actually call life-changing. Read on to find out more!
(Ad – this is a sponsored post, written as part of a paid partnership with PhotoWhoa.)
1. Introduction
When it comes to Photoshop, there’s one tool that always makes me a little nervous to use: masks.
The moment I have to select a subject and swap out a background, I immediately feel on edge 😂
It’s especially tricky with fine details like hair, fur or feathers–those delicate edges never seem to come out quite as clean as I’d like.
Selecting a subject with undefined edges, like this cat, can be tricky in Photoshop. Image Credit: gaspifilms.
If you can relate, you may be interested in a PhotoWhoa masterclass I recently completed, called “Understanding The Power Of Masks In Photoshop”.
I chose it precisely because masks are one of my weaknesses when it comes to Photoshop editing.
Why I Chose This Masterclass
I’m a professional photographer who frequently uses Photoshop, and I consider myself an intermediate user.
However, selecting subjects and refining masks can be a challenge for me, so I wanted to learn some tips and tricks for improving my skills.
With this masterclass, I was hoping to learn more about using masks, including tools like channel masks and luminosity masks, which I wasn’t familiar with yet.
If you also struggle with masks in Photoshop, read on to find out whether this masterclass may be the right fit for you.
2. Overview of the Masterclass
The masterclass is taught by Luca Storelli, a fine art, fashion, and portrait photographer and retoucher.
It’s about an hour long, which may seem pretty short, but I found it to be the perfect length for grasping the subject without feeling overwhelmed.
Who’s It For
I would recommend this masterclass for advanced beginners or intermediate users.
I don’t think it’s suitable for complete beginners, as it assumes knowledge of basic tools and working with layers.
Topics Covered
The masterclass comprises the following topics:
- Using channel masking to select a subject and refine the selection using Levels and Dodge and Burn tools
- Using channel masks to clean up image backgrounds
- Using luminosity masks to add shadows and highlights
- Using luminosity masks for colour grading
- Using different tools for refining masks, especially for hair or finer details
- Replacing backgrounds
- Adding text or other elements to an image using masks
The instructor demonstrates his editing process in Photoshop, talking through each editing step.
As a bonus, you can actually download the same images he is working on; this is handy if you want to retrace his steps and practice in your own time.
3. Instructor’s Teaching Style
Next, let’s talk about Luca Storelli, the instructor of this course.
In other Photoshop workshops or classes, I have sometimes found that the instructor spoke a bit too quickly or didn’t explain things clearly.
Luckily, that wasn’t the case with this course; Luca Storelli is easy to understand and engaging.
Despite his not being an English native speaker, I understood everything well and could follow him perfectly.
It’s clear that the instructor is very knowledgeable and knows Photoshop extremely well.
I would definitely like to learn more from him in other masterclasses or courses, as he must know even more handy Photoshop tips and tricks!
Overall, I felt inspired by the class and actually decided afterwards to edit some of my old pictures using his techniques.
4. Video Quality & User Experience
The video and sound quality can really make or break an online course.
Luckily, the quality of this masterclass is good, the visuals are clear, and it’s easy to follow the instructor on screen.
The only thing that could be improved upon sound-wise is the background music, which is slightly too loud and repetitive.
User Experience
What I like about this masterclass is the fact that it is broken into several smaller modules or units, making it easily digestible.
In general, the PhotoWhoa experience is pretty smooth, as the platform is easy to navigate and user-friendly.
5. Content Relevance & Depth
Now, you may wonder whether this course is relevant to your needs as a photographer.
The answer is, it depends on how much editing you do:
If you’re someone who just does basic, quick edits like straightening the horizon line or cloning out distracting details, you probably won’t need to master the masking tools taught in this masterclass.
However, if you would like to edit your images in more detail or would like more creative control over your photos, this masterclass will be very relevant for you.
This is especially true if you would like to perform basic photo manipulation, such as swapping out backdrops, changing the colours of individual elements, or creating composite images.
I think that particularly fine art, fashion, portrait/self portrait or any other creative-leaning photographers would benefit from the techniques covered.
For this self-portrait, I combined several elements into a composite, a process that requires precise masking and selections in Photoshop.
6. Uniqueness & Value
I can tell you that I’ve taken A LOT of Photoshop courses and workshops.
In many of them, instructors try to teach too many things at once or go too fast.
Luckily, this masterclass is well-paced, and I’ve found the content easy to digest.
What I liked about this particular course is that it teaches some tricks I’ve never seen anywhere before.
This is surprising, as they are extremely effective, and I will definitely use them from now on.
For example, the instructor demonstrates how to refine a selection using a channel mask in combination with the Dodge and Burn tools.
I was honestly mindblown by how well it works, audibly gasping at my screen!
It’s a kind of miracle technique that will make refining selections so much easier.
I would now be comfortable making a very precise selection of this model, thanks to Luca Storelli’s channel masking technique. Image Credit: Ayo Ogunseinde.
Next, I was impressed by a particular technique for removing white halos around the hair and body.
These halos are a common issue when swapping backgrounds, and they can be so annoying!
What I also love about the instructor’s editing methods is that they’re all non-destructive, meaning you can always go back and change edits if needed.
7. Final Verdict
Overall, I really enjoyed the masterclass–I found it great value for money, and I learned a lot in a relatively short timeframe.
What I Liked
First of all, here’s what I liked about this masterclass:
The instructor takes his time and talks through each editing step.
Next, he uses different example images, which you can download as practice material.
I also liked that the class doesn’t cover a wide range of tools, but instead focuses on just a few in detail; this makes it easier to follow along and apply the skills.
Finally, there were some tips and tricks in the class that I would actually call life-changing:
I will never be scared of selecting a subject with lots of fine hair and details again!
What Could Be Improved
There are some minor things that I didn’t love:
As mentioned, one is the background music, which is distracting.
The other thing is that the individual lessons are not quite built upon each other; it seems like they are taken from other, more in-depth workshops and pieced together.
Hence, it can sometimes seem as though the modules are not quite in logical order.
However, it’s really not a problem and doesn’t impact the learning experience.
I still felt that I learned a lot and could follow the instructor easily.
To sum up, I would absolutely recommend this masterclass, especially if you find masking out subjects or other elements in your picture stressful.
It will only take up an hour of your day, but it will teach you very foundational skills that will massively improve and speed up your editing process.
8. Where to Find It
If you’re interested and want to learn more about using masks in Photoshop, you can find the masterclass on the PhotoWhoa website.
Simply click on the following link to access it: Understanding The Power Of Masks In Photoshop.
Hopefully, you’ve found this masterclass review useful!
I’ve actually reviewed another PhotoWhoa masterclass as well, you can find the blog post here: Mastering Artistic Nude Photography.
Finally, I would love to know…which Photoshop tool would you like to learn more about?
Leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to feature a tutorial in one of my upcoming blog posts!
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