Selection and mask views

The sculpture and, later, the background will be removed from the image in this process showing how selections and masks are reciprocal.

All of the background has been selected, but not the sculpture.
Note how the marching ants are positioned at both the edge of the frame and the sculpture.

Selecting the Quick Mask, (Shortcut: Q), shows the areas of the image which are not selected. This is represented by the Ruby Lith areas.
These areas of the image will be protected in the final image.
Select Q, again to exit Quick Mask.

Using the original selection now make a Layer Mask,

This black mask will now protect the sculpture area from view, the white areas will allow the background image to be viewed.

Note, the black mask protects the sculpture (from view), but the white areas of the mask effect the background of the image.

:Black protects, White effects.

Retuning to the original selection, and then Inverting the selection, it becomes possible to remove the background area from the original image.

Selecting the Quick Mask, (Shortcut: Q), shows the areas of the image which are now not selected. This is represented by the Ruby Lith areas.
These areas of the image will be protected in the final image.
Select Q, again to exit Quick Mask.

Using the now inverted selection, make a Layer Mask,

This black mask will now protect the background area from view, the white areas will allow the sculpture to be viewed.

Note, the black mask protects the background (from view), but the white areas of the mask effect the sculpture..