The basics

106 ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 5.0 FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
IMAGE CHANGES –
BEYOND THE BASICS
Advanced selection techniques
Many great image editing techniques are based on the ‘selection’ prowess of the photographer.
Being able to manipulate the selection tools to isolate the precise pixels that you wish to edit is a
key skill that we all should possess. The following techniques will help you build on your existing
selection skills.
6.01 Adding to and subtracting from selections
Suitable for Elements – 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0 | Diffi culty level – Basic
Related techniques – 6.02, 6.03, 6.04, 6.05 | Tools used – Magic Wand, Lasso, Marquee
Only on a very rare occasion will you be able to create the perfect selection with a single tool
applied once. Most editing jobs require the building of selections using multiple tools, creating
new selections that are either added to, or subtracted from, existing selections. Photoshop
Elements provides a range of features that are designed for just this purpose.
When a selection tool is in use four selection modes are available in the option bar. By switching
between these modes whist making additional selections you can:
• Create a new selection each time the tool is
applied,
• Add to an existing selection,
• Subtract from an existing selection, or
• Make a selection from the intersection of the
new and old selections.
Adding to selections >> Modify your selections by
The modes are available for all selection tools the switching selection modes using the buttons found in
exception being that the Intersect mode can not the Options menu. (a) New selection. (b) Add to selection.
(c) Subtract from selection. (d) Make new selection from
be used with the Magic Selection Brush or the the intersection.
Selection Brush tools. The New Selection option
being the default. Complex areas of a picture can be isolated by making a series of selections
choosing the necessary tool (Lasso, Marquee, Magic Wand, Selection Brush or Magic Selection
Brush) and mode (new, add to, subtract from, intersection of) as you go. The mode of the current
tool can also be changed using a keyboard shortcut whilst selecting. Hold down the Shift key to
add to a selection or the Alt key.
6.02 Using the Selection Brush
Suitable for Elements – 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 | Diffi culty level – Intermediate | Resources – Web image 6.02
Related techniques – 6.01, 6.03, 6.04, 6.05 | Tools used – Selection tools | Menus used – Select
Responding to photographers’ demands for even more options for making selections, Adobe
included the Selection Brush for the fi rst time in version 2.0 of Elements. The tool lets you paint
a selection onto your image. The size, shape and edge softness of the selection are based on the
brush properties you currently have set. These can be altered in the Brush Presets pop-up palette
located in the options bar.
Book resources at: www.adv-elements.com