GBD Works: Quinnipiac University Annual Report Photoshop Layers and Masks

23rd of July 2026

Using Photoshop’s Layers and Masks to Create Complex Montages

On this project for Quinnipiac University, I used Photoshop’s layers and masks extensively. Some images have as many as 20 layers and masks. Layers and masks are the fundamental building blocks of non-destructive editing, allowing you to manipulate and build complex images without permanently altering your original files. Layers act as stacked sheets of transparent glass; each piece of text, photo, adjustment, or graphic sits on its own distinct level. This visual hierarchy lets you edit, move, transform, or adjust the opacity of a single element independently, without disturbing the artwork beneath or above it. Masks work hand-in-hand with layers to control transparency and visibility using grayscale values. Instead of using the eraser tool to permanently destroy pixels, applying a layer mask lets you hide parts of a layer using black paint and reveal parts using white paint—with shades of gray creating soft, semi-transparent blends. By pairing layers with masks, you gain total freedom to combine photos, isolate complex objects, and fine-tune selective adjustments while keeping every edit completely reversible at any point in your design process.

Details of Photoshop’s Layers and Masks to Create a Complex Montage

Step No. 1 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: After creating an elaborate series of layers and masks, I placed the main image and added the gradation in the lower left using one of my masks.

Step No. 2 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above:Using my layers and masks, I added shapes with various degrees of gradients and solid areas.

Step No. 3 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: I placed the mummy image approximately where I wanted it.

Step No. 4 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: Using my masks and layers, I began added gradients and shapes to the mummy image.

Step No. 5 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: I added more gradients and shapes to different layers.

Step No. 6 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: I added the two top images.

Step No. 7 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: I added more layers and masks to the various images.

Step No. 8 — Example of a Photo Montage from a Quinnipiac University by Paul Kazmercyk at Granite Bay Graphic Design

Above: I added the white lines each of which is on its own layer. I then added the text in the lower left and adjusted the transparency on the images.

Above: The final Photoshop montage placed in InDesign. I added the text.

All of the Final Versions of the Montages Placed in InDesign

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