Perspective-bending effects can be used to create creative and eye-catching images. In this Photoshop tutorial, we will learn how to use a layer mask to create a perspective-bending effect that makes it look like an object is popping out of the image.

Step 1: Open an image

1. Open the image that you want to use for this effect in Photoshop.
2. Make sure that the image is sized and positioned correctly on the canvas.

Step 2: Create a duplicate layer

1. Duplicate the background layer by selecting it and pressing “Ctrl+J” (Windows) or “Cmd+J” (Mac).
2. Rename the duplicate layer to something like “Perspective Bend”.

Step 3: Transform the duplicate layer

1. Select the “Perspective Bend” layer.
2. Click on the “Free Transform” tool (Ctrl+T or Cmd+T).
3. Drag the control points on the corners of the bounding box to distort the image until it looks like it is bending towards the camera.
4. Press “Enter” or “Return” to apply the transformation.
5. Click on the “Add a layer mask” icon in the Layers panel.
6. This will create a layer mask that is filled with black.

Step 4: Create a selection on the background layer

1. Select the background layer.
2. Use the Pen tool or Lasso tool to create a selection around the object that you want to have pop out of the image.
3. Make sure that the selection is accurate, as it will determine which parts of the image are affected by the perspective-bending effect.

Step 5: Reveal the object in the perspective-bent layer

1. Click on the “Perspective Bend” layer.
2. Click on the “Paintbrush” tool (B) and select a soft-edged brush.
3. Set the brush opacity to a low value, such as 50%.
4. Paint on the layer mask with the brush to reveal the object in the perspective-bent layer.
5. Use the brush opacity to adjust the strength of the effect.

Step 6: Fine-tune the effect

1. Use the Eraser tool to remove any parts of the perspective-bent layer that you don’t want to be visible.
2. Use the Dodge and Burn tools to adjust the brightness and contrast of the object to make it stand out from the background.
3. Add additional adjustment layers, such as Levels or Curves, to fine-tune the overall appearance of the image.

Step 7: Save the image

1. Once you are satisfied with the effect, save the image in a high-quality format, such as JPEG or TIFF.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create a creative and eye-catching perspective-bending effect in Photoshop using a layer mask. This technique can be used to make objects in your images pop out and add depth and dimension to your compositions.