How do I create mask layers w. transparent backgrounds?

[atalaya]

Just starting to learn the program and I am feeling very stupid right out of the box.

       I know that this should be simple, but I have not been able to figure it out: I am working on photographs of architectural interiors. First thing I do is to adjust perspective. Easy. Then, I want to make separate exposure adjustments for the interior and for the views out the windows.

      No problem, I thought: simply create a mask layer that contains only the windows and adjust the exposure for this layer separately, then adjust the background to taste and layer the edited window layer on top of this. But, my window layer has an opaque background so the Background does not show through.

      I tried following the instructions for clipping, but I could not make this work either.

      I know I am missing something basic, but I have not yet figured it out.

 

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks

 

 

 

[toltec]

If you just make a pixel selection of the window, then create an adjustment layer Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels Adjustment (or similar adjustment) the adjustment will only be applied inside the selection area. It does the masking for you 

[R C-R]

14 hours ago, atalaya said:

No problem, I thought: simply create a mask layer that contains only the windows and adjust the exposure for this layer separately ...

Mask layers do not contain images as such, they only reveal or hide parts of layers they are applied to. If you have not already done so, it would be a good idea to review the Layer masking help topic & the Layer clipping one as well. There is also a Clipping vs Masking video tutorial, which should help you understand the difference between them.

 

As @toltec mentioned, adjustment layers already have masks built into them; their masks can be edited in the same way as with other mask layers, for example by painting or easing as described in the "To edit a pixel mask" section of the Layer masking help topic.

[atalaya]

Thanks so much. You explained a very elemental concept that I had somehow missed.

 

This worked great. I was able to add all of the windows into a single adjustment layer. Make my adjustments to that. Then, do an Invert Selection to select the rest of the image so I could create an adjustment layer to adjust that portion of the image separately.

     

This is an addictive program. The learning curve is somewhat steeper than I had expected — largely, I think, because I have not yet found anything that walks you through the basics of where to find everything and what they all do.

       Often the instructional videos go so fast that you cannot see where the guy clicked. I keep finding myself saying things like: "where did he go to change the brush size on for Flood Select?"

 

Thanks again for the prompt and very helpful replies.