by Chad Neuman

Here is how to use layer clipping masks with photos and text in Adobe Photoshop for unique looks for brochures, web sites, and posters.

Step 1
Open Adobe Photoshop and go to File>New and create a new 1024×768 document and click OK.

Step 2
Next, click with the Text tool and type out some text. Change the font to a bold font like Impact so that the photo showing through will be noticeable. Think of the photo you’ll be using and type something to match it.

Step 3
Open a photo you’d like to use and using the Move tool, click-and-drag it onto the Photoshop file with the text, or copy and paste it.

Step 4
Here’s the trick to add the Layer Clipping Mask. On the Layers palette, there should be three layers: Background, the text layer, and the layer with the photo. Make sure the photo layer is on top of the text layer, and press Option (PC: Alt) and left-click with the mouse hovering between the two layers.

Step 5
Now we have text composed of a photo. We can use the Move tool and move either the text or the photo.

Step 6
Try various text and designs. Note: If you open a photo and type text on top, be sure to double-click the Background layer and name it to become a normal layer and then click-and-drag that layer over the text layer before applying the clipping mask.