Mastering Selections in Photoshop: A Comprehensive Guide
Photoshop’s selection tools are the foundation upon which almost all advanced image editing is built. Whether you’re isolating a subject, creating a mask, or applying adjustments to specific areas, understanding how to make precise selections is absolutely crucial. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various selection tools and techniques, providing step-by-step instructions to help you master this essential skill.
## Why Selection Tools are So Important
Selection tools allow you to isolate specific parts of an image. This isolation is essential for:
* **Applying targeted adjustments:** Adjust brightness, contrast, color, or apply filters to only the selected area.
* **Removing or replacing elements:** Remove unwanted objects or replace them with something else.
* **Creating composites:** Combine elements from multiple images seamlessly.
* **Creating masks:** Use selections to define areas that should be visible or hidden.
* **Retouching:** Correct imperfections and blemishes in specific areas.
## An Overview of Photoshop’s Selection Tools
Photoshop offers a diverse range of selection tools, each suited for different types of images and selection needs. Here’s a breakdown:
* **Marquee Tools (Rectangular, Elliptical, Single Row, Single Column):** These are the most basic selection tools, used for making selections in geometric shapes.
* **Lasso Tools (Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso):** These tools allow you to draw freehand selections or create selections based on edges.
* **Quick Selection Tool:** This tool quickly selects areas based on color and texture.
* **Magic Wand Tool:** Selects areas based on similar colors.
* **Object Selection Tool:** Automagically select object in images, powered by Adobe Sensei.
* **Color Range:** Selects areas based on a specific color range.
* **Select Subject:** Uses AI to automatically identify and select the main subject in an image.
* **Select and Mask Workspace:** A dedicated environment for refining selections, particularly for complex areas like hair.
## Detailed Guide to Photoshop’s Selection Tools
Let’s dive into each selection tool with step-by-step instructions:
### 1. Marquee Tools (Rectangular & Elliptical)
The Marquee tools are the simplest and most straightforward selection tools. They’re perfect for selecting rectangular or elliptical areas.
**How to Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool:**
1. **Select the Tool:** Click and hold on the Marquee Tool icon in the Tools panel (it looks like a dotted rectangle). Choose the Rectangular Marquee Tool from the fly-out menu.
2. **Click and Drag:** Click and drag on your image to create a rectangular selection. The starting point of your click will be one corner of the rectangle, and the point where you release the mouse will be the opposite corner.
3. **Constrain Proportions (Optional):** Hold down the `Shift` key while dragging to create a perfect square. Hold down the `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) key to draw the rectangle from the center outwards.
4. **Move the Selection (Before Releasing):** While still holding down the mouse button, you can hold the `Spacebar` to move the entire selection area. This is very useful for fine-tuning the position of the rectangle as you draw it.
5. **Modify the Selection (After Releasing):** After you release the mouse button, you can modify the selection using the following techniques (described in more detail in the “Refining Selections” section below):
* **Add to the selection:** Hold `Shift` and draw another rectangle to add to the existing selection.
* **Subtract from the selection:** Hold `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) and draw another rectangle to subtract from the existing selection.
* **Intersect with the selection:** Hold `Shift + Alt` (or `Shift + Option` on Mac) and draw another rectangle to select only the overlapping area.
6. **Feathering:** Before making your selection, in the options bar at the top, you can set a ‘Feather’ value. This will soften the edges of your selection. A Feather of 0 produces a hard edge. Higher values produce progressively softer edges.
**How to Use the Elliptical Marquee Tool:**
The Elliptical Marquee Tool works similarly to the Rectangular Marquee Tool, but it creates elliptical or circular selections.
1. **Select the Tool:** Click and hold on the Marquee Tool icon and choose the Elliptical Marquee Tool.
2. **Click and Drag:** Click and drag on your image to create an elliptical selection.
3. **Constrain Proportions (Optional):** Hold down the `Shift` key while dragging to create a perfect circle. Hold down the `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) key to draw the ellipse from the center outwards.
4. **Move the Selection (Before Releasing):** Hold the `Spacebar` while dragging to reposition the selection.
5. **Modify the Selection (After Releasing):** Use `Shift`, `Alt` (or `Option`), and `Shift + Alt` (or `Shift + Option`) to add, subtract, or intersect with the selection, as described above.
6. **Feathering:** Set a ‘Feather’ value in the options bar to soften the edges of your elliptical selection.
### 2. Lasso Tools (Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso)
The Lasso tools offer more flexibility in creating selections, allowing you to draw freehand selections or create selections based on edges.
**How to Use the Lasso Tool:**
The Lasso Tool allows you to draw a freehand selection around an object or area.
1. **Select the Tool:** Click on the Lasso Tool icon in the Tools panel (it looks like a lasso).
2. **Click and Drag:** Click and drag around the area you want to select. The selection boundary will follow your mouse cursor. Be careful to keep the mouse button pressed down the entire time that you are drawing the selection.
3. **Close the Selection:** Release the mouse button when you reach the starting point of your selection to close it. If you release the mouse button before returning to the start point, Photoshop will automatically close the selection by drawing a straight line from your release point back to the start point.
4. **Modify the Selection:** Use `Shift`, `Alt` (or `Option`), and `Shift + Alt` (or `Shift + Option`) to add, subtract, or intersect with the selection, as described above.
5. **Feathering:** Set a ‘Feather’ value in the options bar to soften the edges of your lasso selection.
**How to Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool:**
The Polygonal Lasso Tool allows you to create selections with straight lines.
1. **Select the Tool:** Click and hold on the Lasso Tool icon and choose the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
2. **Click to Create Anchor Points:** Click to create anchor points along the edges of the area you want to select. Each click creates a straight line segment.
3. **Close the Selection:** Double-click to close the selection, or click on the starting point of your selection. This will automatically close the path, completing the selection.
4. **Modify the Selection:** Use `Shift`, `Alt` (or `Option`), and `Shift + Alt` (or `Shift + Option`) to add, subtract, or intersect with the selection, as described above.
5. **Feathering:** Set a ‘Feather’ value in the options bar to soften the edges of your polygonal lasso selection.
**How to Use the Magnetic Lasso Tool:**
The Magnetic Lasso Tool is designed to “snap” to the edges of objects as you move the cursor along them. This tool is helpful when selecting objects with well-defined edges that contrast with their background.
1. **Select the Tool:** Click and hold on the Lasso Tool icon and choose the Magnetic Lasso Tool.
2. **Click to Start:** Click on the edge of the object you want to select to create the starting point for the selection.
3. **Move Along the Edge:** Slowly move the cursor along the edge of the object. The Magnetic Lasso Tool will automatically try to snap to the edge.
4. **Add Anchor Points Manually (Optional):** If the tool isn’t snapping correctly, you can manually add anchor points by clicking along the edge.
5. **Adjust Settings (Optional):** In the options bar, you can adjust the following settings to fine-tune the tool’s behavior:
* **Width:** Determines how far from the cursor the tool will search for an edge.
* **Contrast:** Sets the minimum contrast required for the tool to snap to an edge. Higher values require more contrast.
* **Frequency:** Controls how often the tool adds anchor points. Higher values result in more anchor points.
6. **Close the Selection:** Move the cursor back to the starting point. When the cursor is over the starting point, a small circle will appear next to the cursor icon. Click to close the selection.
7. **Modify the Selection:** Use `Shift`, `Alt` (or `Option`), and `Shift + Alt` (or `Shift + Option`) to add, subtract, or intersect with the selection, as described above.
8. **Feathering:** Set a ‘Feather’ value in the options bar to soften the edges of your magnetic lasso selection.
### 3. Quick Selection Tool
The Quick Selection Tool is an easy-to-use tool that allows you to “paint” a selection by automatically detecting edges and color differences. It’s best suited for selecting objects that stand out from their background.
**How to Use the Quick Selection Tool:**
1. **Select the Tool:** Click on the Quick Selection Tool icon in the Tools panel (it looks like a brush with a dotted selection).
2. **Adjust Brush Size (Optional):** In the options bar, adjust the brush size to match the size of the area you’re selecting. Use the bracket keys (`[` and `]`) to quickly decrease or increase the brush size.
3. **Paint Over the Area:** Click and drag over the area you want to select. The Quick Selection Tool will automatically expand the selection based on color and texture.
4. **Add to the Selection:** If the tool doesn’t select the entire area you want, continue painting over the remaining areas to add to the selection. The default operation is adding to the selection.
5. **Subtract from the Selection:** If the tool selects too much, hold down the `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) key and paint over the areas you want to remove from the selection. The cursor will change to a minus sign (-).
6. **Refine the Selection:** For more precise control, use the “Select and Mask” workspace (described later).
### 4. Magic Wand Tool
The Magic Wand Tool selects areas based on color similarity. It’s particularly useful for selecting areas with a uniform color or a limited color range.
**How to Use the Magic Wand Tool:**
1. **Select the Tool:** Click on the Magic Wand Tool icon in the Tools panel (it looks like a magic wand).
2. **Click on the Area:** Click on the color you want to select. The Magic Wand Tool will select all adjacent pixels with a similar color.
3. **Adjust Tolerance (Optional):** In the options bar, adjust the `Tolerance` value to control the range of colors that are selected. A lower tolerance value will select a narrower range of colors, while a higher value will select a broader range. Experiment with different tolerance values to achieve the desired selection.
4. **Contiguous Option:** Check the ‘Contiguous’ checkbox in the options bar if you only want to select adjacent pixels with similar colors. If unchecked, the Magic Wand will select all pixels with similar colors throughout the entire image.
5. **Add to the Selection:** To select additional areas with similar colors, hold down the `Shift` key and click on those areas.
6. **Subtract from the Selection:** To remove areas from the selection, hold down the `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) key and click on those areas.
### 5. Object Selection Tool
The Object Selection Tool is a powerful tool that uses AI to automatically identify and select objects in an image. It’s a great option for quickly selecting complex objects with minimal effort.
**How to Use the Object Selection Tool:**
1. **Select the Tool:** Click on the Object Selection Tool icon in the Tools panel. If it’s not visible, it may be nested with the Quick Selection Tool or Magic Wand Tool. Click and hold on either of those tools to reveal the Object Selection Tool.
2. **Choose a Mode:** In the options bar, choose a mode:
* **Rectangle:** Draw a rectangle around the object you want to select.
* **Lasso:** Draw a freehand selection around the object you want to select.
3. **Draw Around the Object:** Draw a rectangle or lasso around the object you want to select. Photoshop will automatically analyze the area and attempt to identify and select the object within the selection.
4. **Refine the Selection:** The Object Selection Tool may not always perfectly select the object on the first try. You can use the “Select and Mask” workspace (described later) to refine the selection.
5. **Add to the Selection:** If the tool doesn’t select the entire area you want, hold down the `Shift` and select the remaining areas.
6. **Subtract from the Selection:** If the tool selects too much, hold down the `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) key and select the areas you want to remove from the selection.
### 6. Color Range
The Color Range command allows you to select areas based on a specific color range. It offers more control than the Magic Wand Tool, allowing you to fine-tune the selection based on color samples.
**How to Use Color Range:**
1. **Go to Select > Color Range:** In the menu bar, go to `Select > Color Range…`
2. **Select a Sample Color:** In the Color Range dialog box, click on the color in your image that you want to select. You can use the Eyedropper tool to select a specific color, or choose a predefined color from the “Select” dropdown menu.
3. **Adjust Fuzziness:** Adjust the `Fuzziness` slider to control the range of colors that are selected. A lower fuzziness value will select a narrower range of colors, while a higher value will select a broader range.
4. **Add to the Selection:** Click on the Eyedropper+ icon (Add to Sample) and click on other areas of the image with similar colors to add them to the selection.
5. **Subtract from the Selection:** Click on the Eyedropper- icon (Subtract from Sample) and click on areas of the image that you want to remove from the selection.
6. **Localized Color Clusters:** Check the ‘Localized Color Clusters’ box if you want to select contiguous regions of similar colors.
7. **Selection Preview:** Choose a selection preview to see how the selection will appear. “Grayscale” is useful for seeing the mask clearly.
8. **Click OK:** Click `OK` to apply the Color Range selection.
### 7. Select Subject
The Select Subject command uses AI to automatically identify and select the main subject in an image. It’s a quick and easy way to make a selection of a person, animal, or object.
**How to Use Select Subject:**
1. **Go to Select > Subject:** In the menu bar, go to `Select > Subject`. Photoshop will analyze the image and automatically attempt to select the main subject.
2. **Refine the Selection:** The Select Subject command may not always perfectly select the subject. Use the “Select and Mask” workspace (described below) to refine the selection.
3. **Add to the Selection:** If the tool doesn’t select the entire subject, hold down the `Shift` and refine the area that needs to be selected.
4. **Subtract from the Selection:** If the tool selects too much, hold down the `Alt` (or `Option` on Mac) key and refine the area that needs to be removed from the selection.
### 8. Select and Mask Workspace
The Select and Mask workspace provides a dedicated environment for refining selections, particularly for complex areas like hair or fur. It offers a range of tools and controls for fine-tuning the selection edge and creating a clean, accurate mask.
**How to Use the Select and Mask Workspace:**
1. **Make a Preliminary Selection:** Use any of the selection tools described above to make a rough selection of the area you want to refine. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
2. **Go to Select > Select and Mask:** In the menu bar, go to `Select > Select and Mask…` This will open the Select and Mask workspace.
3. **Tools in the Select and Mask Workspace:**
* **Quick Selection Tool (in Select and Mask):** Works the same as the regular Quick Selection Tool, but it only affects the mask in the Select and Mask workspace.
* **Refine Edge Brush Tool:** This is the most important tool in the Select and Mask workspace. It’s designed to refine the edges of the selection, particularly for complex areas like hair or fur. Paint along the edges of the selection to refine them.
* **Brush Tool:** Use this tool to paint directly on the mask, adding or subtracting from the selection.
* **Lasso Tool (in Select and Mask):** Use this to create more precise selections for adding or subtracting from the selection.
* **Hand Tool:** Use this to pan around the image.
* **Zoom Tool:** Use this to zoom in and out of the image.
4. **Refine Edge Brush Tool Settings:**
* **Size:** Adjust the size of the brush to match the size of the area you’re refining. Use the bracket keys (`[` and `]`) to quickly decrease or increase the brush size.
* **Hardness:** Controls the hardness of the brush. A softer brush is better for blending edges, while a harder brush is better for creating sharp edges.
* **Spacing:** Controls the spacing between brushstrokes. A lower spacing value creates a smoother stroke.
5. **Global Refinements:**
* **Smooth:** Reduces irregularities in the selection boundary.
* **Feather:** Softens the edges of the selection.
* **Contrast:** Sharpens the edges of the selection.
* **Shift Edge:** Expands or contracts the selection boundary. A positive value expands the selection, while a negative value contracts it.
6. **Output Settings:**
* **Output To:** Choose how you want to output the refined selection:
* **Selection:** Creates a selection in the main Photoshop document.
* **Layer Mask:** Creates a layer mask on the current layer.
* **New Layer:** Creates a new layer with the selected area.
* **New Layer with Layer Mask:** Creates a new layer with the selected area and a layer mask.
* **New Document:** Creates a new document with the selected area.
* **New Document with Layer Mask:** Creates a new document with the selected area and a layer mask.
7. **Click OK:** Click `OK` to apply the refined selection and return to the main Photoshop document.
## Refining Selections: Tips and Tricks
* **Use a Combination of Tools:** Don’t be afraid to use multiple selection tools to achieve the desired result. For example, you might use the Quick Selection Tool to make a rough selection and then use the Select and Mask workspace to refine the edges.
* **Zoom In:** Zoom in to the image to get a closer look at the selection edge. This will help you make more precise adjustments.
* **Use Layers:** Work on separate layers to avoid making permanent changes to your original image. This will give you more flexibility and control over the editing process.
* **Practice, Practice, Practice:** The more you practice using the selection tools, the better you’ll become at making accurate and efficient selections.
* **Keyboard Shortcuts:** Learn the keyboard shortcuts for the selection tools to speed up your workflow.
* **View Modes in Select and Mask:** Experiment with the different view modes in Select and Mask (Overlay, On Black, On White, etc.) to find the one that works best for you.
* **Non-Destructive Editing:** Always use layer masks instead of deleting pixels directly. This allows you to easily modify or undo your selections later.
* **Feathering for Blending:** Use feathering to blend selections seamlessly into the background.
* **Contract/Expand for Tight Selections:** Use the `Select > Modify > Contract` or `Select > Modify > Expand` commands to fine-tune the selection boundary.
## Modifying Existing Selections
Photoshop provides several ways to modify selections after they’ve been created:
* **Select > Modify > Border:** Creates a border around the selection.
* **Select > Modify > Smooth:** Smooths out the edges of the selection.
* **Select > Modify > Expand:** Expands the selection by a specified number of pixels.
* **Select > Modify > Contract:** Contracts the selection by a specified number of pixels.
* **Select > Modify > Feather:** Feathers the edges of the selection.
* **Select > Modify > Grow:** Expands the selection to include adjacent pixels that fall within the current tolerance range.
* **Select > Modify > Similar:** Selects pixels throughout the image that are similar in color to the selected pixels.
## Common Selection Problems and Solutions
* **Jagged Edges:** Use feathering or the Smooth command to soften the edges.
* **Missing Parts of the Selection:** Add to the selection using the Quick Selection Tool, Lasso Tool, or Select and Mask workspace.
* **Selecting Too Much:** Subtract from the selection using the Quick Selection Tool, Lasso Tool, or Select and Mask workspace.
* **Difficulty Selecting Hair:** Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool in the Select and Mask workspace.
## Conclusion
Mastering Photoshop’s selection tools is an essential skill for any image editor. By understanding the different tools and techniques described in this guide, you’ll be able to make precise selections and unlock the full potential of Photoshop’s editing capabilities. Remember to practice regularly and experiment with different tools and settings to find what works best for you. Happy selecting!