I am very confused...

[GRITS]

Using PSE5 I managed to download and install Grants Tools. Currently I am trying to use the mask. I get the thumbnail but when I paint on my photo with the brush, the actions can be seen in the thumbnail but not on my photo copy. So in short, I'm confused why I can't mask the photo with the black.

[Wendy]

Hi Grits ...

... and welcome to the forum

What layers do you have in your image ... and which one is the layer mask on ? ... another thought your layers are not duplicates of each other are they ??

Wendy

[GaryK]

Hi Grits

Welcome to the forums.

A couple of things come to mind.
Are you for sure painting on the mask layer?
Is the mask active?
Is the mask layer your top layer?

These are the standards that catch everybody some of the times. Or me most of the time.

Edit.. one other thing. Is the mask layer different than the one below it?

[Juergen D]

Hi Grits,

Here is a tutorial on Layer Masks. It is for full Photoshop, but it works the same in Elements:
http://www.lunacore.com/photoshop/tutorials/tut003.htm

Juergen

[GRITS]

Thank you so much for viewing and considering my problem.

1. The photo is an old black and white in a locked background.
2. I made a copy of the background and named it "Mask."
3. This second mask layer is active with the box around the mask thumbnail.
4. I have toggled (x) the foreground and background every which way I can.
5. I am using a round size 65 brush.

I think that answers all the questions. I even read the tutorial which was certainly indepth.

Any other thoughts?

[GaryK]

Grits

If you have the same photo one above the opther the mask will look as though it is doing nothing.

Just for fun duplicate layer again so you would have three of the same layer (one is the locked background).
Apply a gaussian blur (fairly heavy for this exercise) to the top layer now use the mask on the top layer your middle layer should start to come through unblurred.

[GRITS]

You were absolutely correct! But why doesn't the black paint conceal?

[GaryK]

The black reveals what is below while white hides it.

Maybe I am misunderstanding your question.

[GRITS]

I've got it!!!! I went back and found out why I thought when you "paint" with black, black would show on the document. In the May tutorial by Matt about Layer Masks he uses a black background for his photo. Therefore, when he used the black on the mask layer, the black background of the layer below showed through. He clearly states he didn't paint it black, but in my minds eye I just remembered the green plant with the black in the center.

Thank you so much for helping me. I feel pretty silly........

[Wendy]

Hi Grits ...

No need to feel silly ... masks are something that can be confusing then sudden it all clicks into place

Enjoy using the masks ...

Wendy