Using the Masking Bug

The Masking Bug is used for blending layers by creating radial, gradient and reflected gradient mask shapes quickly. It works in a similar manner to the Adjustable Gradient tool in the Local Adjustments pane. The mask goes from dark to light in tone, applying more of the adjustment where the gradient is lighter, and less of the adjustment where the gradient’s tone is dark. The most common use of gradient masks is to darken the sky in an image, while preserving the brightness of the foreground, similar to using a gradient filter on your camera lens.