How to use a channel as mask in Photoshop?

Question

Is there a way in Photoshop to use a channel (for example red or Lab luminosity) as a mask for a layer?

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:43

Yes, two ways I know of:

Go to the channels palette.
Select the channel you want.
Ctrl-click (Cmd-Click on a Mac), to copy the channel.
Then go back to your layer and add your mask

or

create a blank, white mask on your layer
make sure the mask is selected
go to Image > Apply Image
select the channel you want from the channel dropdown
click ok

I use a red mask when doing skin softening, because skin will show up light in the red channel. I describe this in my answer to this question: What is the best techinque to smooth skin?

How to use a channel as mask in Photoshop?

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