Selections - Photoshop for Beginners | Lesson 6

PiXimperfect・2 minutes read

Selections in Photoshop are crucial for targeting areas, with various tools and methods available for refining, adding, or subtracting from selections to achieve accurate results. Utilizing features like the Quick Selection Tool, Curves adjustment layers, and Select and Mask can enhance the quality and realism of images through precise adjustments and refinements.

Insights

  • Selections in Photoshop are vital for targeting specific areas for actions like painting or applying adjustments, with tools like the Quick Selection Tool facilitating easy addition or subtraction of areas for precise selections.
  • Advanced techniques such as using the Pen Tool to create precise vector paths for selections, adjusting blend modes for realistic effects, and utilizing anti-aliasing for smoother edges significantly impact the accuracy and quality of selections, enhancing the overall image editing process.

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Recent questions

  • How can selections be refined in Photoshop?

    Selections in Photoshop can be refined using tools like the Brush to improve masks or changing blend modes like Multiply for realistic effects. Additionally, various methods exist for making selections, including selection tools like Lasso, Marquee, Magic Wand, and Object Selection Tool, as well as advanced techniques like the Pen Tool or color-based selections. The Pen Tool, a more advanced selection method, creates precise vector paths that can be converted into selections for accurate results. Anti-aliasing and feathering options impact the smoothness and accuracy of selections, with anti-aliasing introducing transparent pixels for smoother edges. Selection tools like Lasso and Polygonal Lasso can be used interchangeably, with shortcuts for adding or subtracting from selections, enhancing precision.

  • What is the purpose of the Quick Selection Tool in Photoshop?

    The Quick Selection Tool in Photoshop offers a quick way to make selections by finding edges of objects, allowing for easy addition or subtraction of areas for accurate selections. This tool, found in the Magic Wand group, attempts to find edges for selections, enabling users to paint over areas to add or subtract from the selection. It is a valuable tool for targeting specific areas for manipulation, such as painting or applying adjustment layers, providing a user-friendly method for creating selections in Photoshop.

  • How can selections be saved and loaded in Photoshop?

    In Photoshop, selections can be saved by going to Select and then Save Selection, and they can be loaded through the Channels panel or by selecting Load Selection. This allows users to store specific areas of an image for future use or modifications. Additionally, modifying selections can be done through contracting, expanding, or feathering them, which respectively decrease, increase, or soften the selection edges. Feathering selections can be particularly useful for adding soft effects, like enhancing the appearance of eyes, while duplicating and adjusting these effects can improve the overall look of an image.

  • What are some advanced selection techniques in Photoshop?

    Advanced selection techniques in Photoshop include using tools like the Pen Tool to create precise vector paths that can be converted into selections for accurate results. Additionally, techniques like color-based selections or object selection tools offer more specialized ways to make selections in images. The Refine Edge tool and the Refine Hair button aid in refining selections, especially for intricate details like fur or hair, ensuring precise and detailed selections for various editing purposes.

  • How can the Select and Mask feature be accessed in Photoshop?

    To access the Select and Mask feature in Photoshop, users can click on the mask and then select "Select and Mask" at the top. This feature allows for refining selections or starting from scratch, providing a comprehensive set of tools for creating precise and detailed selections in images. Different views within Select and Mask, such as Onion Skin or changing the background color, help visualize the effect of selections, enhancing the editing process in Photoshop.

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Summary

00:00

Mastering Photoshop Selection Tools for Precision Results

  • A closed shape drawn with a pencil on paper can be filled with color, outlined, cut out, or chemically burned, showcasing limitless possibilities.
  • In Photoshop, a selection is simply an area targeted for manipulation, akin to the concept of targeting a drawn shape.
  • The Quick Selection Tool, found in the Magic Wand group, attempts to find edges for selections, allowing for easy addition or subtraction of areas by painting over them.
  • Selections in Photoshop are crucial as they determine the area targeted for actions like painting or applying adjustment layers.
  • The selection area can be refined by using tools like the Brush to improve masks or changing blend modes like Multiply for realistic effects.
  • Various methods exist for making selections, including selection tools like Lasso, Marquee, Magic Wand, and Object Selection Tool, as well as advanced techniques like the Pen Tool or color-based selections.
  • The Pen Tool, a more advanced selection method, creates precise vector paths that can be converted into selections for accurate results.
  • Anti-aliasing and feathering options impact the smoothness and accuracy of selections, with anti-aliasing introducing transparent pixels for smoother edges.
  • Selection tools like Lasso and Polygonal Lasso can be used interchangeably, with shortcuts for adding or subtracting from selections, enhancing precision.
  • The Quick Selection Tool offers a quick way to make selections by finding edges of objects, allowing for easy addition or subtraction of areas for accurate selections.

14:21

Enhancing Selections and Brightness in Composites

  • Deselecting "Sample All Layers" affects the ability to make selections on empty layers.
  • Enabling "Sample All Layers" considers all layers when making selections, even on empty layers.
  • Placing objects on a new layer involves dragging and dropping them to create a duplicate.
  • Adjusting the blend mode to Overlay can enhance the realism of objects on a new layer.
  • Adding a Curves adjustment layer underneath objects can brighten specific areas.
  • Inverting the mask allows for selective brightness adjustments using brushes or gradients.
  • Adobe Sensei AI tools like "Select Sky" can enhance skies in images dramatically.
  • Using Curves allows for precise brightness adjustments in specific areas of an image.
  • "Select Subject" in Adobe Sensei can accurately select subjects for compositing.
  • Adjusting the lighting and shadows of subjects in composites can improve realism.

28:08

Mastering Select and Mask in Photoshop

  • To access the Select and Mask feature in Photoshop, click on the mask and then select "Select and Mask" at the top.
  • The Select and Mask button can be found by choosing any selection tool and locating it at the top.
  • Within Select and Mask, you can refine selections or start from scratch, and you can delete a mask by dragging it to the trash can or selecting it and pressing the delete key.
  • Different views in Select and Mask include Onion Skin, where transparency affects selected areas, and changing the background color helps visualize the effect.
  • The Quick Selection Tool is used to make selections, and brush size can be adjusted by holding ALT (Windows) or Control and Option (Mac) keys while dragging.
  • Various views like Marching Ants, On Black, and On White help in understanding selections, with black representing unselected areas and white representing selected areas.
  • The Refine Edge tool and the Refine Hair button aid in refining selections, especially for intricate details like fur or hair.
  • Saving selections can be done by going to Select and then Save Selection, and loading them can be achieved through the Channels panel or by selecting Load Selection.
  • Modifying selections can be done through contracting, expanding, or feathering them, which respectively decrease, increase, or soften the selection edges.
  • Feathering selections can be useful for adding soft effects, like adding shine to eyes, and duplicating and adjusting these effects can enhance the overall look of an image.
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