Learn to create precise Saturation Masks in Photoshop quickly—complex selections made easy, no plugins needed.
Who This Is For
This tutorial is perfect for Photoshop users who want to speed up color editing. Landscape photographers working with vibrant images, retouchers needing precise selective color control, and anyone looking for a fast, non-destructive way to create Saturation Masks will benefit from this workflow.
Master Saturation Masks in Photoshop
In this tutorial, Andy Cook shows how to create Saturation Masks in Photoshop quickly and efficiently—no plugins required. This method uses the built-in HSB/HSL filter to generate precise masks, giving you full control over saturation-based adjustments.
The video covers two scenarios: working directly from a background layer and using existing layer stacks. You'll also learn how to set up a one-click Photoshop Action so you can repeat this process instantly, saving time while maintaining a non-destructive workflow.
Finally, the tutorial explains the behind-the-scenes workflow in the Channels panel, helping you understand exactly how the HSB/HSL filter creates a Saturation Mask, so you can apply the technique confidently to any project.
What You'll Learn:
- Create Saturation Masks quickly using Photoshop's HSB/HSL filter
- Start from background layers or existing layer stacks for flexible workflows
- Set up a one-click Photoshop Action for repeated use
- Learn how the HSB/HSL filter creates a Saturation Mask using the Channels panel
Video Timeline
- 0:00 - Introduction to Saturation Masks in Photoshop
- 0:43 - Scenario 1: Create a Saturation Mask from a background layer
- 3:06 - Scenario 2: Create a Saturation Mask using existing layer stacks
- 4:37 - Photoshop Action Setup: Make a one-click Saturation Mask
- 10:58 - Channels Panel: How the HSB/HSL filter generates a Saturation Mask
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