Hi I am trying to do a montage of my son's prom pics. I have many layers for the background- pattern, texture, brushes with blend modes. My problem is that the pic that I am using which I applied a mask to (to feather the edges-) shows the pattern underneath their faces. I tried several things but not pleased. I remember someone said they put a radial gradient mask under a photo? Any suggestions? I am really new to this and I am sure there is an easy way to do this. TIA Lisa

I'm not an expert at montage, but I have had this problem before too. What i did:
1. made a layer that was a solid color from the background my pattered paper.
2. placed the layer in 1. between the photo and paper
3. added a layer mask to it with the 'hide all option'
4. painted on the layer mask to reveal the solid color in areas where the pattern was showing through.

It worked for me, but I really find montage is more trial and error than anything. hope it helps!

anna

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As an avid PS user for many years, I still have yet to learn the layer mask technique. I still do my montages the old fashioned way and use the eraser tool to delete the backgrounds. I use the lasso to remove most of the backgrounds (with a feather applied) and then just use a fairly large, very soft eraser brush with low opacity and slowly take away some of the edges. When I used the masking option last I had the problem with the opacity showing through the entire image like you are having. I'm sure there is some simple explanation, and some day I do intend to learn more about this, but for now the eraser really does work. Here's a layout I did months ago using the eraser.

http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...00&ppuser=7297

PS, If you do want some of the background to show through, as I did on part of my layout, you can always adjust the opacity of that entire layer later. Also, to avoid backgrounds showing through you can click to the background layer and use the eraser brush to delete part of the background.

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Thanks ladies- great ideas- also - Brianna? from atomic cupcake told me to just click on the layer mask and use the image adjustment hue slider and it worked great. Thanks again! Lisa

Thanks Lisa for sharing that tip. I'll have to check it out. I'll be using masks in no time!

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