Pseudo layer masks

Before we get into describing the use of true masks in Photoshop Elements, let's have a look at feature I call pseudo layer masks.

A true mask is one that is attached to an image thumbnail in the Layer panel. Its default color is white, which means that it is see-through, but as soon as you paint black onto that mask, it begins to become opaque, therefore blocking whatever effect that particular layer is displaying to reveal what it looked like before it was changed. For a beginner, this is complicated.

Masks are designed to isolate parts of the image in order to make changes without affecting everything else in the picture—for example, to change someone's hair color. To replicate this slightly complex action using a pseudo mask layer (this is my name for the technique), you can simply duplicate a layer, then add a tonal change to that duplicated layer so that the object in the image that you want to enhance looks perfect (ignore the rest of the image while...