Which Photoshop technique is used to blend two images non-destructively?

• A. Destructive erasing
• B. Using layer masks
• C. Merging layers
• D. Copying pixels

Answer: (B)

Blending two images non-destructively relies on layer masks. A layer mask sits next to a layer and controls which parts of that layer are visible without altering the actual pixels. Painting on the mask with white reveals the layer, black hides it, and gray creates partial transparency. Because you’re not deleting any pixels, you can adjust, disable, or delete the mask at any time, keeping all original image data intact and making the workflow flexible and reversible.

Destructive erasing would permanently remove parts of the image, which breaks the non-destructive workflow. Merging layers flattens the composition into a single image, eliminating the ability to tweak individual elements later. Copying pixels duplicates data but does not provide a reversible, selective visibility control over how the two images blend. Using a layer mask is the precise tool for controlled, non-destructive blending.