In Photoshop, you can create a layer mask by selecting the layer mask icon in the Layers palette and then clicking on the Edit button. The Edit button will open a dialog box that allows you to select the type of mask you want to create. The three types of masks that are available are: a simple mask, a gradient mask, and a dodge and burnmask. A simple mask is just a single layer with no masks on it. It is used to create an all-black image. A gradient mask is made up of two or more layers. The first layer is used as the base layer and the second layer is added to it in an inverse gradient fashion. The second layer can be used as either the foreground or background for the first layer. A dodge and burnmask is made up of three layers. The first two layers are used as your base layers and then you add one or more masks to these base layers in an inverse Dodge and Burn fashion.
