CertiPort Practice Exam

What effect does painting with black or white inside a layer mask have?

1. Black hides the image; white reveals the image.

2. Black reveals the image; white hides the image.

3. Black and white create greyscale effects.

4. Shadow effects are applied when using any color.

The correct answer is: Black reveals the image; white hides the image.

The correct choice indicates that black hides the image while white reveals it in a layer mask. This is a fundamental principle in image editing software that uses layer masks, such as Adobe Photoshop. When a layer mask is applied, it consists of a grayscale image where the color values determine the visibility of the layer they are applied to. In this context, black on the mask effectively "cuts out" or hides whatever is on that corresponding layer, making it invisible to the viewer. Conversely, white acts as a reveal, allowing the original image to show through the mask entirely. This knowledge is crucial for tasks requiring selective visibility, such as creating complex composites or enhancing specific areas of an image while masking others. Understanding this functionality allows artists and designers to manipulate layers with precision and achieve various creative effects efficiently. The other options do not accurately reflect the mechanics of layer masks. While greyscale effects can be achieved by using varying shades of gray, the specific actions of black and white regarding visibility do not align with that concept. Additionally, the reference to shadow effects is misleading, as layer masks primarily deal with visibility rather than color or shadow application.