Photoshop Elements does not support masks like Photoshop does, but there is still a way you can use grayscale masks to create interesting edge effects. This site and many others offer free grayscale masks you can download for this purpose. Please note that this method does not create transparency, but it does create an edge effect that retains all the texture of the original mask.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Open a photo and the mask you want to apply to it.
- If necessary, rotate the mask so it is the same orientation as the photo. (Image > Rotate >Canvas 90°)
- Active the mask image, go to Image > Resize > Image Size. While the Image Size dialog is on-screen, go to the Window menu and choose the file name of the photo you'll be applying the mask to.
- Click OK and the mask will take on the same dimensions as the photo.
- With the mask active, Select All (Ctrl-A) and Copy (Ctrl-C).
- Activate the photo you want to apply the mask to and paste (Ctrl-V).
- Type Ctrl-I to invert the colors.
- Change the blend mode of the mask layer to screen.
Tips:
- If desired, apply a Hue/Saturation adjustment to the mask layer using the colorize option to tint the white areas of the mask. Be careful not to adjust the lightness up, however, or you will begin to tint the photo underneath.
- You may wish to merge the two layers when you are happy with the result.
