Yes.. it does take a little bit to get the hang of masks but once you start using them.. boy, you really start to use and see the power of Photoshop and how you can make and undo changes to your work as you tweak things here and there.

Don't get me wrong.. I do use the erasure tool.. there are times when it just works so well and is so easy... if you are absolutely sure you'll never need the info you are erasing.. it works great.