Because the mask is white, the entire photograph is affected by the Photo Filter adjustment layer.

In this example, magenta was added to the entire photograph.

When you paint on your photograph with a black brush, the affect of the Photo Filter adjustment layer is blocked by the black.

So, we'll paint with black on the foreground, to block the magenta filter.

Where we paint with black, a mask is created, that blocks the affect of the Photo Filter adjustment layer.

Make a Mask

1) Select the Brush tool.

Use a feathered brush.

If you haven't already done so, go to Feathered Brush.

2) Make sure the Photo Filter 1 layer is active (highlighted).

3) Make sure the foreground color is black.

If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.

4) Paint on the photograph where you don't want the magenta, the foreground.

Where you paint with black on your photograph, the effect of the Photo Filter 1 layer is blocked.

You can see the mask thumbnail in the Photo filter 1 layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to Masking.

The photograph on the left has the magenta filter everywhere.

The photograph on the left has the magenta filter on the background only.

The mask blocked the magenta filter on the foreground.

With Magenta Filter	Magenta Filter on Top Mask on the Bottom

The overexposed portion of the florescent lights are too magenta, but this writer prefers that to the green of the the original.

Here are all three versions side-by-side.

Original	With Magenta Filter	Magenta Filter on Top Mask on the Bottom

More

In this tutorial, one color was correct.

The other color was wrong.

The wrong color was corrected with a mask.

But, what if you have two incorrect colors?

Go to Two Areas with Poor Color.

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