How Can I Apply Texture to a Mask?

Adding texture to a mask is a unique way to “distress” a photo.  Keep in mind that black paint on a mask hides the photo, gray paint makes the photo partially transparent, and white paint leaves the photo opaque.  When a texture is applied to a mask, all color is automatically dropped, leaving behind various shades of white, gray, and black.  In this instance, we’re beginning with a two-layer document.  The top layer is the photo and the bottom layer is pure white.  When we add a mask and apply a texture to it, bits and pieces of the underlying white layer will be revealed.

Step 1: Add a Mask to the Photo Layer

Activate the photo layer (Layer 1) and click the Add layer mask icon at the base of the Layers panel.  Option-click (PC: Alt-click) the mask to make it active (you should see only white).  In the next step, we’ll paste a texture directly into this mask.

Step 2: Paste a Texture Into the Mask

Open a texture.  In this example, we’re working with a texture from the Flypaper Textures collection.  These are some of the finest textures available anywhere.  If you decide to make a purchase after viewing them, enter the code MARKSJ during checkout to receive 15% off your order.

Choose Select>All, then Edit>Copy to float the texture to the clipboard.  Return to the original image and choose Edit>Paste to paste the texture directly into the activated mask.

Without deselecting, go straight to Edit>Transform>Scale.  Use the transform handles to scale the texture until it looks good.  Press Return (PC: Enter), then choose Select>Deselect.  Option-click (PC: Alt-click) the mask to reveal the scene complete with a texture that is hiding parts of the photo.  Pretty cool, huh!

Since the image and the texture appear washed out, ensure that the mask is still active and choose Image>Adjustments>Levels.  Drag all three Input Levels sliders until the texture interacts nicely with the photo.

Press OK.

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