will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

When using an adjustment layer, such as curves, what is the purpose of inverting the mask? Thanks.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If I understand your questions, it will change the portion of the image that is being adjusted.
--Bob

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Inverting the mask allows you to focus visually on the layer you want to adjust. Similarly, sometimes when using my MacBook Pro I find it helpful to invert (reverse) the colors on my screen in order to read some text or understand some graphic images.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Normally, you would not simply invert a white mask to a black mask and leave it at that. Since black on the mask conceals any adjustments made, having a mask that is 100% black effectively turns off the layer completely.

Say I want to make an adjustment to an image, but I only want it to affect a small area of that image. I will quite often make an adjustment globally with an adjustment layer. I then invert the white mask(show everything) to black(show nothing), and then paint, at the desired hardness and opacity, with the color white (or gray) on the mask in the areas I want affected by the adjustment.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Are you talking about inverting the selection? If so, then it can be easier to select, say the sky, because it may be uniform, then invert the selection to select what you really wanted, the foreground which may be harder to make as a selection.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Rick's response addresses how I interpreted OP's question also.

Another simple example: do a global brightness adjustment on a new layer. Invert your layer mask to all black, then paint with white (at varying opacity and different brushes, if desired) only the area or areas you want to show the brightness adjustment.

It's harder to imagine using with your example of curves adjustment, because with curves you are already making many precise changes within that one layer.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

When you make an adjustment using an adjustment layer and the mask is all white, the adjustment affects the entire image. But if you invert the mask, make it all black, then the adjustment is blocked or masked off. Then it will allow you to use the brush tool, and white paint, on the mask to reveal parts of the image that you want that adjustment to affect.

So the workflow would be to create the adjustment layer, make the adjustment but focus on looking at the part of the photo you want the change to affect, then click on the mask and invert it to all black. There are several ways to invert the mask. Use the one that you know or learn all the ways and use the one that is fastest and easiest. The select B or the brush tool. Make sure you select the mask, and then make sure that 'white' is selected, use the X key to change from black to white and back again. Then adjust the size of your brush and opacity if you want and then paint directly on the picture to reveal the parts of the adjustment you want applied to the image. Then you can adjust the opacity of the layer for your final look.