Essential Masking Techniques #2 - Quick Selection Tool

This is part 2 of a series of 10 masking techniques that I will be explaining. The quick selection tool is the greatest selection tool if you are looking for speed. This one is definitely my most used and favorite selection tool. However this tool does not make selections to 100% satisfaction on its own. The rough edges it leaves can be cleaned up using the Refine Edge settings.


Good for: Well defined hair. Any subject that has a high contrast with the background.

Settings

• hard brush
• auto enhance checked
• sample all layers is optional depending on the job
• refine edge to be used after

Technique

1. Simply 'paint' inside of the desired area that you want to select. you will quickly see the tool works its magic!
2. If you accidentally select outside of the desired area, hold ALT for a spring loaded subtract selection tool. You can also select the quick subtract tool from the setting above. 'paint' away the areas you don't want to select
3. After you are happy with your selection use the Refine Edge setting to make the selection better. I will be discussing the Refine edge tool in a later blog post!

     See my post about Refine Edge Settings to learn more

Tips

• The tool is very flexible and will sometimes select areas that you are not interested in selecting. As you use this tool it becomes smarter, the more you paint with it the more it understands what selection you want. Photoshop will remember areas you do not want to select and when you begin to select the desired areas the tool will be more focused. Play with it and see what i mean.
• For those having trouble with a selection. Copy the original layer and then make sure the new layer is selection and use curves (CTRL+M ) to create more contrast between what you want to select and what you don't want to select. When you are finished make a selection on the altered layer. when you are finished apply the mask to the original layer.
• You can also use dodge and burn tools to achieve the same goal. I will cover this in a future blog post.

Quick Sample

So there you have it. If I was not clear enough or I missed something let me know in the comments below!

Do you have any questions? comments? tips? I would be happy to hear from you! Get in touch through michaeljphotography.ca contact form. I would appreciate your follow @Jonssononline