In this Quick Tip (Displaying a Photograph within a Shape in Photoshop), Julieanne demonstrates three different ways to display an image within a shape in Photoshop including vector masks, clipping masks, and layer groups.
There are several ways to display a photograph within a shape in Photoshop.
• This first example uses a vector mask to control what portion of the photo is hidden or revealed. To create this effect, select the desired shape tool and set the Shape tool options (in the options bar) to Path. Then drag out the shape and choose Layer > Vector Mask > Current Path.
• The second example shows the photo (Layer 1) clipped by a shape layer. To create this effect, select the desired shape tool and set the Shape tool options (in the options bar) to Shape. Then drag out the shape, reposition it in the Layers panel so that the shape is below the layer with the photo and – with the photo layer selected, choose Layer > Create Clipping Mask. Note: you can achieve different effects by changing the shape layer’s fill and stroke.
• The third example shows that if you create a copy of the original photo and reposition it under the shape layer, lowering it’s opacity and adding a drop shadow can make it more interesting.
