Selection, Masking & Editing Tools

What You’ll Learn

Seven tutorials on Photoshop’s selection and masking tools, from quick subject selections to the AI-powered masking built into Camera Raw.

• Speed up subject selection How to Use Cloud Processing with Select Subject in Photoshop and How to Use the Object Selection Tool in Photoshop cover two ways to isolate a subject fast.
• Master the core masking skill How to Create and Use Layer Masks in Photoshop and Refine Selections with Select & Mask in Photoshop cover the two techniques every other masking tool builds on.
• Let Camera Raw build the mask for you The Power of Object Masking in Photoshop 2026, How to Use AI Landscape Masking in Lightroom and Camera Raw, and How to Use AI Depth Masking in Photoshop cover three ways Adobe’s AI now finds a mask before you draw one.

Who This Series Is For

Every advanced Photoshop technique starts with an accurate selection, so this playlist is a foundational stop for anyone working through the site’s other free playlists.

It’s especially useful if you’ve been relying on one selection method for everything; several tutorials here show when a newer AI-assisted tool actually beats the manual approach, and when it doesn’t.

How Long It Takes

Seven tutorials, 10-15 minutes each — about 2 hours total.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a PHLEARN PRO membership for this playlist?

No — this playlist is entirely free.

Which tutorial should I start with if I only have time for one?

How to Use Cloud Processing with Select Subject in Photoshop — it’s the fastest way to isolate a subject and the natural starting point before the masking tutorials.

Do these tools work the same in older Photoshop versions?

The core selection tools (Object Selection, Select & Mask, Layer Masks) have existed for years; the AI-powered masking features — Object Masking, AI Landscape Masking, and AI Depth Masking — are newer additions, noted in their respective tutorials.

Where to Go Next

• Retouching & Portrait Editing Put these selection tools to work on real portraits.
• Compositing & Visual Effects Where precise selections matter most.
• Magical Compositing Learning Path (PRO) Full-length compositing courses built on these same tools.