Frame an Image inside a Shape or Text using Photoshop

By Dawn Pedersen · 03/12/2009 ·

Clipping Mask

Clipping masks are a great method for masking part of an image without deleting pixels. In this tutorial, we will be using a shape to hide part of a photo.

We will also be working with Photoshop’s filters, patterns, custom shapes, text, and blend modes.

Your feedback is encouraged and much appreciated!

What You Should Know First

Source File

We’ll start with a photo of yours truly, taken a few years ago (click on it to view and download the full size version):

Click this Image to Download the Source File

Part One: Clip an Image to a Shape using a Clipping Mask

Open the image clipmask-goofy-lady.jpg in Photoshop.
Save the file as a Photoshop file (File > Save As…). Remember to change the Format to Photoshop (*.PSD,*.PDD).

Save As Photoshop File

Open the Layers panel (Window > Layers).
Double-click on the Background layer and click OK so that we can move this layer around later.

Change Background to Regular Layer

Select the Custom Shape Tool from the Tools Panel. It is in the fly-out menu for the Rectangle Tool (not the Rectangular Marquee Tool.)

Custom Shape Tool

In the Control Panel, make sure that the Shape layers button is selected, not the Paths button next to it.

Shape Layers

Click on the Click to open Custom Shape picker arrow next to the current shape. From the Custom Shape picker that pops up, click on the right-facing arrow that opens the menu.
From the menu, select All.

Custom Shape Picker

When a dialog box asks you what you would like to do, click OK to replace the current set with all of the shapes.
Open the Custom Shape picker again, and find the Flower 6 shape. Double-click on it, which selects it and closes the picker.

Custom Shape picker

Draw the shape over my face. Hold the Shift key down to keep the shape in proportion. You can press the Spacebar while you are drawing to reposition the outline. Make the shape large enough to show my whole face.