Every time I draw on a layer mask it creates a new shape

[LumatechChrisClarke]

Hi,

I'm pretty new to photoshop, I want to apply filters, hue/saturation..etc to parts of my image, I'm adding the adjustment layer fine, however when I click on the mask to mask out parts of the image I just can't get it to work.

Previously I would click the layer mask, select an area hit enter and I got a bounding rectange around the whole image with grab handles, I could then drag that in to where I wanted it to mask. Simple, no idea why or how it worked like that but it did what I wanted.  Now that doesn't happen.  So i went back to trying to draw on the layer mask, fore ground black, back ground white, rectange tool, click the layer mask preview icon to select it and draw on the image..  But then every time I draw it creates a new shape!!

What on earth am I doing wrong, i've watched every tutorial I can find and my photoshop just does not behave like theirs!

Help!

thanks

Chris

[JJMack]

Shapes have vector mask you would be to use a vector tool to change  the shape of a shape layers.  Painting on a gray scale Layer Mask just hides or reveals  the layer's  pixels there are  no vector it not a shape layer.  Shape layer are fill layers that have vector layer mask. The fill can be a solid color, a gradient or pattern.

If you make a selection and have the move tool active and have checked show transform controls you will see the bounding box.

fill black

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post a screenshot with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible?