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Ctl-Clicking on a Layer Mask displays it in the Document Window, allowing the application of various Tools and techniques such As Painting and Curves. Our first-order control over Layer Masks does not approach the power and breadth of our control over basic images.

A simple work-around does in fact provide full PS editing capabilities of Layer Masks. This is simply the method I have developed, but I admit a limited knowledge of these depths. If you have a more elegant solution, please share it.

Note to Those In The Know: It’s from an HDR original, shot with a 24TSE-please overlook the peripheral edge artifacting-it’s not USM.

With the Layer Mask displayed in the Document Window, Duplicating the Image simply produces a complete copy of the basic document with all Layers and elements intact. In order to isolate the Layer Mask as an external image:

• Display the Layer Mask in the Document Window (Ctl-Click on the Layer Mask icon in the Layers Palette)
• Select the entire Layer Mask as displayed (Ctl-A)
• Copy the Layer Mask (Ctl-C). With the Layer Mask in the Clipboard, creating a New Document will default to the Clipboard’s dimensions (Layer Masks are raster objects)
• Create a New Document (Ctl-N)
• Paste the Clipboard contents (your Layer Mask) into the new Document
• Note that you are enjoying the bit depth of your original document (if it was 16-bit, your Layer Mask standalone is also 16-bit)
• The Layer Mask is now a full-fledged image and may be manipulated as such, using Layers, Blending Modes, and other options not available by simply Ctl-Clicking it within its native Layer

The Layer Mask may be applied back to an image as a Layer or Layer Mask using Apply Image, or by Drag & Drop. You’ll be given the opportunity to develop a familiarity with the Move Tool’s Options Bar alignment capabilities as displayed in it’s Options Bar if you neglect to Shift-Drag, but that’s part of the excitement! Using Apply Image makes inverting the import as easy as clicking a checkbox.

In terms of advanced capabilities, this technique provides control options far beyond the simple Filter (Maximize, Minimize), Threshold, and Contrast (Curves) talent afforded native Layer Masks. Obviously, Blending Modes work wonderfully on single Channel Layers, and allow both Global and Local control over extremely sophisticated Contrast manipulations (the fundamental machine of Selections).

Isolated (via Layer Masking) detailed edges in a few short steps. They can be Offset or otherwise refined easily. Pretty slick, eh?

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