select the layer mask, choose a fairly large brush and paint with black ink in the mask, note how the bottom image reveals in the painted area - voila, that's how layer masks work
finish the mask with a smaller brush for good detail. tip: use a brush with a softness that matches the softness of the image to make it look more realistic.
this image illustrates how the finished mask looks, you can activate this visual of a mask in the channels palette. Double click on the icon gives an option for color display and opacity of the mask
now you have the basics of working with Photoshop layer masks, we perfect your skills with a 3rd image, which you paste in the main document.
<< Photoshop layer masks part 1 | Photoshop layer masks part 3 >>
