From: Steve Arnold,
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sydney, NSW, Australia
How To Unlock The True Potential In Your Photos By Mastering The Fundamentals Of Layers And Masking In Photoshop
How To Unlock The True Potential In Your Photos By Mastering The Fundamentals Of Layers And Masking In Photoshop
Even if you've tried learning it all before but found it confusing, or difficult to remember so you have to look it all up again next time you want to use it...
Even if you've tried learning it all before but found it confusing, or difficult to remember so you have to look it all up again next time you want to use it...
Hello !
Let me ask you a question:
Have you ever watched a video that explains layers or masking in Photoshop, and as you're watching along you feel like it's sinking in and you understand it all… But when you open up Photoshop and try to use what you saw in the video, important parts just seem to evade you?
Let me ask you a question:
Have you ever watched a video that explains layers or masking in Photoshop, and as you're watching along you feel like it's sinking in and you understand it all… But when you open up Photoshop and try to use what you saw in the video, important parts just seem to evade you?
So you watch the whole thing again to find the bit you're looking for. This time you follow along step by step in PS to do exactly what the video is doing…
... then for some reason it's still not happening like in the video?
And this leaves you feeling frustrated, stuck, or just downright annoyed that it shouldn't be this complicated!?
If so then you're not alone!
It happens all the time.
So if you feel like you're always on the back foot, stuck on the basics, let alone the advanced stuff…
Let me promise you this:
... then for some reason it's still not happening like in the video?
And this leaves you feeling frustrated, stuck, or just downright annoyed that it shouldn't be this complicated!?
If so then you're not alone!
It happens all the time.
So if you feel like you're always on the back foot, stuck on the basics, let alone the advanced stuff…
Let me promise you this:
Photoshop no longer has to be the obstacle between you and your best photography
Photoshop no longer has to be the obstacle between you and your best photography
Introducing the...
Introducing the...
Layers & Masking Lift-Off!
2025
Layers & Masking Lift-Off!
2025
2025
The Layers & Masking Lift-Off! is a learning experience that promises to teach you these critical fundamental skills in a way that actually sticks.
The Lift-Off assumes nothing. We start at the very beginning. And if you are a little further on than that already, then you can move through a little faster. Because it's a customised experience.
Key focus on the word: experience.
The Layers & Masking Lift-Off is NOT just another set of downloadable videos.
It's about you experiencing the results you so badly want and need, so you can finally move beyond the parts of Photoshop you know are holding you back.
The Lift-Off assumes nothing. We start at the very beginning. And if you are a little further on than that already, then you can move through a little faster. Because it's a customised experience.
Key focus on the word: experience.
The Layers & Masking Lift-Off is NOT just another set of downloadable videos.
It's about you experiencing the results you so badly want and need, so you can finally move beyond the parts of Photoshop you know are holding you back.
Let Layers & Masking Become Your New Normal, So You Can Move Forward And Concentrate On Your Growth As A Photographer
Let Layers & Masking Become Your New Normal, So You Can Move Forward And Concentrate On Your Growth As A Photographer
If you're ready for layers and masking to become second nature so you can stop worrying about the technical stuff you can't do in Photoshop, and start concentrating on executing your creative vision, then this is for you.
Here's How It Works
Here's How It Works
The Layers & Masking Lift-Off is not your usual type of online course.
It is NOT an "information dump" that leaves you daunted by how much learning is staring you in the face.
In fact, it's deliberately designed to make it feel easy by simplifying the learning process with easy, manageable chunks.
Here's what the process looks like for you when you sign up:
The Layers & Masking Lift-Off is all about the practice.
Because it's good to understand something in theory… But it's hard to become fluent without practice.
And without daily practice, you have a problem with "information-decay".
That's why every day you'll be learning a little, doing a little. Piece by piece, each day building on the last as you walk the path to mastery one step at a time. Never once feeling like it's all becoming too much or too complicated.
It is NOT an "information dump" that leaves you daunted by how much learning is staring you in the face.
In fact, it's deliberately designed to make it feel easy by simplifying the learning process with easy, manageable chunks.
Here's what the process looks like for you when you sign up:
- Open and read an email every day for 21 days
- Watch a short video or two
- Do some exercises and tasks in a few spare minutes of your day
- Let the most critical Layer & Masking concepts and techniques sink in naturally through small, iterative, daily practice
- Start using this stuff in your photography as if you were born doing it
The Layers & Masking Lift-Off is all about the practice.
Because it's good to understand something in theory… But it's hard to become fluent without practice.
And without daily practice, you have a problem with "information-decay".
That's why every day you'll be learning a little, doing a little. Piece by piece, each day building on the last as you walk the path to mastery one step at a time. Never once feeling like it's all becoming too much or too complicated.
I Am With You Every Step Of The Way
I Am With You Every Step Of The Way
It is my personal mission to ensure you complete the full 21 day Lift-Off, because I know that when you do, you'll have established a new normal for yourself.
Layers and Masking in Photoshop will seem natural and easy to you, and you need think only about how you can use these "new normal" powers to push your creativity and grow as a photographer.
That's why in addition to the daily emails with lessons and exercises, I'm also going to be available to talk should you need ANYTHING at all.
Layers and Masking in Photoshop will seem natural and easy to you, and you need think only about how you can use these "new normal" powers to push your creativity and grow as a photographer.
That's why in addition to the daily emails with lessons and exercises, I'm also going to be available to talk should you need ANYTHING at all.
As part of your Lift-Off experience, you can Whatsapp or SMS me DAILY for the 21 Days to get my direct help or assistance should you need an extra helping hand.
As part of your Lift-Off experience, you can Whatsapp or SMS me DAILY for the 21 Days to get my direct help or assistance should you need an extra helping hand.
If you have a question or need help with something specific to what you're learning...
I'll be here for you for the duration of the 21 Day Lift-Off! via messaging and email.
You may find that your Lift-Off experience is going so smoothly and you're soaking up all your new knowledge like a sponge that you don't need this extra level of support... But it's important that you know I'm available, right here if you need me.
I'll be here for you for the duration of the 21 Day Lift-Off! via messaging and email.
You may find that your Lift-Off experience is going so smoothly and you're soaking up all your new knowledge like a sponge that you don't need this extra level of support... But it's important that you know I'm available, right here if you need me.
Who Is This For?
Who Is This For?
If anything on this page resonates with you and you feel like your knowledge and understanding of layers and masking is lacking in any way, then you are in pole position to make the most from this experience.
If you consider yourself to be at a beginner-level when it comes to layers and masking in Photoshop, or if you've tried to move from using beginner to intermediate level layers and masking techniques but failed previously, then this is your ideal next move.
By day 21 you'll be fluent in your understanding and application of the most critical layers and masking techniques, and you'll have a clear path forwards to take things to levels you never thought yourself capable of.
If you consider yourself to be at a beginner-level when it comes to layers and masking in Photoshop, or if you've tried to move from using beginner to intermediate level layers and masking techniques but failed previously, then this is your ideal next move.
By day 21 you'll be fluent in your understanding and application of the most critical layers and masking techniques, and you'll have a clear path forwards to take things to levels you never thought yourself capable of.
What have previous years' participants said about the Layers & Masking Lift-Off?
What have previous years' participants said about the Layers & Masking Lift-Off?
"I just couldn't seem to grasp the concept before... I'm now fully confident with what I'm doing and happily creating luminosity masks and selections"
"I just couldn't seem to grasp the concept before... I'm now fully confident with what I'm doing and happily creating luminosity masks and selections"
John H - Layers & Masking Lift-Off Alumni
I've done lots of other courses and under normal circumstances, would have expected to have a complete understanding about layers and masking and everything by now.
But I just couldn't seem to grasp the concept before.
I've had this mental blockage for some reason.
Anyway, the end result of the three week lift-off is that I am now fully confident with what I'm doing and I have been happily creating luminosity masks and selections and altering them and editing them and doing all sorts of things.
Now I really know what I'm doing.
Now that we've done the Lift-Off, I'm much more confident in making use of layers and masks, but also altering them to suite the particular image in question. I use luminosity masking all the time.
I'm ecstatic. I'm so happy with what's been achieved in that brief 21 day period.
But I just couldn't seem to grasp the concept before.
I've had this mental blockage for some reason.
Anyway, the end result of the three week lift-off is that I am now fully confident with what I'm doing and I have been happily creating luminosity masks and selections and altering them and editing them and doing all sorts of things.
Now I really know what I'm doing.
Now that we've done the Lift-Off, I'm much more confident in making use of layers and masks, but also altering them to suite the particular image in question. I use luminosity masking all the time.
I'm ecstatic. I'm so happy with what's been achieved in that brief 21 day period.
"I'm retired, you think I'd have a lot of time on my hands. But somehow, it hasn't worked out that way"
"I'm retired, you think I'd have a lot of time on my hands. But somehow, it hasn't worked out that way"
Sam S - Layers & Masking Lift-Off Alumni
So one lesson a day, it was, you know, a real nice, easy, bite sized lesson. And then I liked having the ability if I wanted to do two, to go straight to the next one.
It just fit my schedule really well.
I listen to a number of things on YouTube for Photoshop. Some of it is excellent, but they go very fast.
But I like your pacing. It was very good. Your voice is very clear. You're well spoken. You speak in a good pace.
Memory is not as good as it used to be. I'm 70.
What I discovered going through your course was, it was easy for me to listen to the material, it all made sense, generally the first time through.
It just fit my schedule really well.
I listen to a number of things on YouTube for Photoshop. Some of it is excellent, but they go very fast.
But I like your pacing. It was very good. Your voice is very clear. You're well spoken. You speak in a good pace.
Memory is not as good as it used to be. I'm 70.
What I discovered going through your course was, it was easy for me to listen to the material, it all made sense, generally the first time through.
"I did it, and I'm really glad I did"
"I did it, and I'm really glad I did"
Merri T - Layers & Masking Lift-Off Alumni
Before, I wasn't practicing what I learn on my own images very much. And I just thought, I need to do this, especially for this.
So I did it, and I'm really glad I did
I've gotten other Photoshop courses by different photographers, and a lot of times, they go really fast and it doesn't teach me how to do it. If I want to, I have to go back and rewatch it again and again, and again.
Your videos, I think you're really careful about pacing and I like that a lot.
nd you always explain what you're doing every single step. A lot of people don't do that.
Now I feel like I'm getting much better at making the mask, isolating it and tuning it to actually get what I want, you know, in terms of what area I want to affect.
And that was something that was hard for me at first, but the 21 days really helped that.
So I did it, and I'm really glad I did
I've gotten other Photoshop courses by different photographers, and a lot of times, they go really fast and it doesn't teach me how to do it. If I want to, I have to go back and rewatch it again and again, and again.
Your videos, I think you're really careful about pacing and I like that a lot.
nd you always explain what you're doing every single step. A lot of people don't do that.
Now I feel like I'm getting much better at making the mask, isolating it and tuning it to actually get what I want, you know, in terms of what area I want to affect.
And that was something that was hard for me at first, but the 21 days really helped that.
"...finally I am getting to the point where I think I can make some sense out of [Photoshop]"
"...finally I am getting to the point where I think I can make some sense out of [Photoshop]"
Armando L - Layers & Masking Lift-Off Alumni
I have been studying Photoshop for many years, and finally I am getting to the point where I think I can make some sense out of it.
The 21 days format worked very well.
You get up in the morning, there’s a video for you to watch, exercises to complete, and it’s not too rushed.
Every day you’re building up on the concepts from the previous day, so it’s worked out very well.
It helped me learn the underlying processes so I can understand what’s happening behind the scenes, not just follow steps without comprehension.
"Channels are something I just avoided like the plague before this"
"Channels are something I just avoided like the plague before this"
Eugene G - Layers & Masking Lift-Off Alumni
I wouldn't have gone anywhere near luminosity masking before.
Channels are something that I just avoided like the plague before this .
They looked weird and very intimidating...
It was a big help, just getting comfortable working in there.
I thought my money was well spent.
The ability to contact you directly was really helpful. At least as I was going through it thinking, "if I can’t figure this out" I knew I could just ask and solve it.
"I can Photoshop with confidence now!"
"I can Photoshop with confidence now!"
Nigel G - Layers & Masking Lift-Off Alumni
I used to open up Photoshop with trepidation... But your course has taught me how to use it.
I’m really, really pleased.
I can open Photoshop with confidence now.
I’m not dreading it, thinking "Where am I going to screw up? What am I going to do wrong?"
I like your delivery because it’s a little bit slower, and even my old brain can keep up with it.
The instructions were clear, and the videos were clear... The point you started was where I needed to start, almost at the beginning, and work forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
you might be having...
When does it start?
When does it start?
You'll receive your first of 21 daily emails on the date noted above on this page.
How long does it last?
How long does it last?
You have new content and tasks for every day for 21 days. There will be opportunities to go a little quicker if that suits you, but not slower. To get the best out of this experience you'll want to open and read the daily emails when they arrive, and do what they're asking you to do.
What if something comes up and I need a break from the 21 days?
What if something comes up and I need a break from the 21 days?
Life happens - I get it. If something unexpected comes up and you need a short break, then you have the option to call a 2-day timeout. It's like hitting pause, so when the 2 days are up, you're right back in it. It's important that you don't go too long without doing "the stuff" for the reasons I talked about earlier regarding daily practice.
What is the format of the Lift-Off?
What is the format of the Lift-Off?
Everything is delivered to the convenience of your private email inbox. No logins to remember, no membership websites, nothing standing in the way.
Simply open and read an email each day, click a link to a custom page with a short video or two and some things to practice, and enjoy a new streamlined way of learning one small bite at a time.
Simply open and read an email each day, click a link to a custom page with a short video or two and some things to practice, and enjoy a new streamlined way of learning one small bite at a time.
How is it different from a regular online course?
How is it different from a regular online course?
There's a time and a place (and a people) for the "normal format" online course. But this is not that.
Rather than simply handing over a tonne of videos and sending you on your merry way to watch them (or not) on your own time, the Layers & Masking Lift-Off is a more hands-on, customised, supportive, iterative way of installing in your brain the skills you need to succeed with Photoshop.
Rather than simply handing over a tonne of videos and sending you on your merry way to watch them (or not) on your own time, the Layers & Masking Lift-Off is a more hands-on, customised, supportive, iterative way of installing in your brain the skills you need to succeed with Photoshop.
I already know about layers and masking. Do I need this?
I already know about layers and masking. Do I need this?
It depends. If you are an expert at using the most advanced of these techniques then no.
If you are not an expert yet but you are excelling with the "self-study" methods my other courses use to deliver the information you need, then also no.
However if you know a bit about layers and masking, but are struggling to get beyond beginner/intermediate level on your own, then the Layers & Masking Lift-Off! will help get you there.
If you are not an expert yet but you are excelling with the "self-study" methods my other courses use to deliver the information you need, then also no.
However if you know a bit about layers and masking, but are struggling to get beyond beginner/intermediate level on your own, then the Layers & Masking Lift-Off! will help get you there.
How much time can I expect to spend on the daily material and tasks?
How much time can I expect to spend on the daily material and tasks?
Each day you'll read an email for a few minutes, click a link to a short video or two (maybe up to 15 minutes), and then spend as much time as you want or need practicing. How long you spend practicing will depend on you, but I would recommend setting aside 30-60 minutes total per day.
What if I have a question that's not answered here?
What if I have a question that's not answered here?
Email me if you have any questions that haven't been answered here and I'll get back to you with an answer ASAP.