Working w/ Layer Masks

[AMH]

I am having some trouble working with layer masks.

 

I am trying to use a layer mask to merge two exposures of the same image.

 

I am using the paintbrush tool to mask off areas of the top image to lettuce bottom image show through.

 

The problem I am having is with Unmasking.

 

I cannot figure out how to unmask areas of the image. The erase brush seems to have the same effect as the paint brush (adding to the mask). I have tried switching between white and black on the paint brush and this also seems to have no effect (paint brush still adds to mask).

 

How do you subtract from a mask?

[Asha]

I just tried it and this is what I observed:

 

If you start with a white fill on the mask:

Black adds to the mask

Erase adds to the mask

White removes from the mask

 

If you start with a black fill on the mask;

Black adds to the mask

Erase adds to the mask

White removes from the mask

 

Make sure you have the paintbrush tool selected when you try toggling from black to white--I made the mistake of trying to paint black or white with the eraser, and of course it didn't behave as I wanted, lol.

[Madame]

:) Your not the only one.