Photoshop CC: Mastering Selections

Master Photoshop's selection tools to gain precise results when compositing or performing advanced image alterations.

Master Photoshop's selection tools to gain precise results when compositing or performing advanced image alterations. These Photoshop tips are designed for photographers and photo editors who want a bit more control over their selections, whether selecting fine details like fur and hair, geometric shapes, ranges of color across an image, or noncontiguous objects like the gaps between the leaves of a tree. Photographer and educator Chris Orwig covers tools such as Marquee Selection, the Lasso, the Magic Wand, Quick Selection; the Refine and Color Range dialogs; and techniques for combining selections with adjustments such as sharpening and darkening. Plus, learn about the power of masks when it comes to making selections in Photoshop, which allows you to control adjustments on multiple layers.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise files

1. Using the Marquee Selection Tools

• Copying a selection to a new layer
• Changing the color of a selected area
• Inverting the selection to change the color of the background
• Adding to and subtracting from a selection
• Selecting with the Elliptical Marquee tool
• Challenge: Selecting a flying globe
• Solution: Selecting a flying globe

2. Using the Lasso Tools

• Using the Lasso tools
• Selecting a shape with the Polygonal Lasso tool
• Using the Magnetic Lasso tool

3. Making and Refining Quick Selections

• Working with the Magic Wand tool
• Making selections quickly with the Quick Selection tool
• Improving the selection with the Refine dialog
• Removing a subject from his environment
• Challenge: Changing the background
• Solution: Changing the background

4. Selecting Color

• Using Color Range to make a selection
• Changing color and tone with a Color Range mask
• Fixing a color problem with Color Range

5. The Power of Custom Masks

• What is a mask?
• Brightening up an area of a photograph
• Workflow techniques for improving color and tone
• Creating a mask in Quick Mask mode
• Creating smoother transitions with a gradient mask
• Selective sharpening with a hand-painted mask
• Challenge: Improving the light
• Solution: Improving the light

6. Masking Expert Tips

• Three ways to view a mask
• Copying a mask from one layer to another
• Creating a mask filled with black

7. Select and Modify

• Select and fix
• Select and sharpen
• Select and darken

Conclusion

• Next steps