Mask in Photoshop vs. Layer in Photoshop — What's the Difference?

A Mask in Photoshop is akin to a selective shield, permitting certain portions of an image to be concealed or revealed without permanently altering them. A Layer in Photoshop, however, functions as an individual plane where images, adjustments, or designs are placed, allowing for non-destructive editing.

While utilizing a Mask, one can meticulously control the visibility and transparency of distinct segments of the Layer, preserving the original image’s integrity. In contrast, using a Layer allows stacking various elements, textures, or adjustments, and each one operates independently of the others, offering versatile editing freedom.

In essence, a Mask is a tool that provides nuanced control over the opaqueness or transparency of specific regions within a Layer. Layers offer the ability to build, edit, and manipulate multiple, stacked elements in a singular Photoshop document, ensuring an organized and flexible editing workspace.

The precision and meticulous control afforded by a Mask in Photoshop make it an invaluable tool for editors seeking to composite images or adjust isolated regions without affecting the entire Layer. On the other hand, Layers serve as the foundational structure of a Photoshop project, accommodating images, text, adjustments, and effects, each residing on its independent plane, preserving the flexibility and integrity of the original components.

Mastery over utilizing Masks enables the editor to blend, reveal, and conceal aspects with a high level of precision, without ever destructively editing the original Layer. Conversely, adept usage of Layers allows for a segregated, orderly, and non-destructive workflow, where individual elements can be adjusted, rearranged, and edited without influencing other components of the design.