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Martin Perhiniak

This course is the ultimate guide for making selections of people in Photoshop an incredibly important but tricky skill to master. Learn to use the tools and techniques the same way a creative professional would so you can do anything from basic selections of person with one coloured background to very complex selections, with hair, transparent details and difficult backgrounds.

Making selections is part of most Graphic Designers and Photographers day to day workflow and mastering the correct way to do it now will save you a tonne of time and ensure you avoid bad habits later down the line.

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This course is the ultimate guide for making selections of people in Photoshop an incredibly important but tricky skill to master. Learn to use the tools and techniques the same way a creative professional would so you can do anything from basic selections of person with one coloured background to very complex selections, with hair, transparent details and difficult backgrounds.

Making selections is part of most Graphic Designers and Photographers day to day workflow and mastering the correct way to do it now will save you a tonne of time and ensure you avoid bad habits later down the line.

This course focuses on selections of people but the same workflows can be used for making selections of objects, animals or anything else.

A closer look at what you will learn:

  • Firstly learn more about Selections and why making them is so crucial in creative work.

  • Then in the following chapter you will learn about the many different tools and techniques you can use to make selections:

    • Lasso Tool

    • Magic Wand

    • Quick Selection Tool

    • Marquee Selection

    • Colour Range

    • Making

    • Pen Tool and Vector Mask

  • Learn about each of these in detail. Each technique has its strengths and weaknesses so you will always be able to choose the right technique for the job your face.

  • Then move into learning how to refine existing selections you have made.

  • In the second chapter you will learn how to make more simple selections, with distinct background and well focused images.

  • Once you know how to make simple selections it’s time to move onto more complex images and techniques. Learn to select hair, transparent details and loads more.

  • Finally discover some more essential design tools including: keyboard shortcuts, resource websites and design terms to know and more.

This course includes:

  • 21 Videos

  • 3 Hours of learning content

  • 1 Downloadable resource

Who will find it useful:

  • Anyone who wants to use Photoshop in a professional manner.

  • People who are aspiring to become professional Photographers or Retouchers.

  • Creatives looking to master a new essential skill and broaden their knowledge

A basic existing knowledge of Photoshop will be important when taking this course.

Martin is an Adobe Certified Instructor who has years of experience teaching in both and online in classroom environments. He has also worked professionally in the creative industry for over 10 years on a wide range of projects. The examples and techniques used have been developed over this time to deliver the most efficient and enjoyable approach to teaching and learning.

Take this course to master an essential design skill and make selections the same way as a creative professional.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to make professional selections in photoshop
  • Get from zero to hero in photoshop selections in less than 3 hours
  • Learn to make selections the right way from an adobe certified instructor
  • Put the techniques into use in graphic design or photo retouch projects

Syllabus

Tools for Selecting People

Making Selections in Photoshop is really one of the most important skills you need as a designer, artworker or retoucher. There is a reason why there are so many selection tools and a whole separate menu for selection features. But why do we need to make selections in the first place and what makes it so complicated?

As you probably know Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign all work with layers, which means you can place different elements like photos, illustrations, text and shapes on top of each other. Whenever you create a composition you will have to establish some sort of interaction between your elements. Like making a text seem like going behind an image. That adds some depth to your design and make it more engaging. Of course for this effect to work you will first have to create a selection of the person.

Another example is a very common design technique called out-of-bounds or out-of-frame, where an image comes out of its frame. Again to make this work you first have to create a selection of the part of the image, which you want to extend out from the frame.

Whenever you make selections in Photoshop you have to make sure that you do a good job and separate the selected part perfectly from its original background. You don’t want to make a selection when it looks obvious that it was cut out from another image. Also you want to keep your selection editable to be able to improve it at any later stage. Some selections are simple, but some of them can be very challenging. The difficulty of a selection depends on a lot of factors like the complexity of the selected part, the business of the background, the amount of contrast between the selected part and the background, whether there is hair or transparent details and so on and so forth.

In this course we are going to focus on making selections of people, but the same techniques can be used to make selections of anything else. You will be able to learn all the professional techniques that will save you a lot of time and effort whether you are an artworker, graphic designer, web designer or photo retoucher.

Let’s get started!

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a comprehensive overview of selection tools in Photoshop, which are essential for graphic designers and photographers to manipulate images effectively
Focuses on selections of people, but the same workflows can be used for making selections of objects, animals, or anything else, broadening its applicability
Teaches techniques for refining existing selections, which is crucial for achieving professional-looking results and avoiding a cut-out appearance
Requires a basic existing knowledge of Photoshop, which may exclude absolute beginners who have never used the software before
Taught by an Adobe Certified Instructor with 10 years of experience, which suggests a high level of expertise and credibility
Covers keyboard shortcuts, resource websites, and design terms, which are valuable for improving workflow and understanding industry standards

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Reviews summary

Mastering photoshop selections for designers

According to learners, this course serves as a highly effective and practical guide for mastering Photoshop selection techniques, specifically focusing on portraits and complex details like hair. Many students highlight the instructor's ability to explain complex concepts with clarity and find the techniques taught to be professional and time-saving. The course is seen as providing a strong foundation for those with basic Photoshop knowledge. While a few reviews suggest it could benefit from more depth or a wider variety of complex scenarios, particularly for highly advanced users, the overall consensus points to a focused and valuable learning experience aided by useful demonstrations and exercise files.
Assumes prior software knowledge.
"I had some basic Photoshop knowledge before, which is definitely required as stated."
"It assumes you know Photoshop basics."
"Definitely have some fundamental Photoshop experience before diving into this."
Provides a solid basis in selections.
"Solid overview of Photoshop selection tools. Covered all the essentials mentioned in the syllabus... Overall, a great foundation."
"A good primer on Photoshop selections. It covers a lot of ground in under 3 hours."
"The course provided me with a solid understanding of essential selection methods."
Focus on key refining techniques.
"The focus on refining selections is key, and the examples are practical."
"The selection mask refining techniques alone are worth the price of the course. This is a must-have skill for designers."
"The instructor's method for refining masks is a game-changer."
"Refining masks was a particularly useful skill I developed in this course."
Learn effective, time-saving methods.
"Absolutely fantastic course! The instructor explains complex selection techniques like selecting hair and transparent objects in Photoshop with incredible clarity. The step-by-step demos are easy to follow..."
"This course delivered exactly what it promised - professional selection techniques... It significantly improved my workflow for compositing images."
"Short, to the point, and highly effective. The focus on practical application is great. The instructor's method for refining masks is a game-changer. I've saved so much time already."
"I learned professional selection techniques that help me work faster and better."
May be too basic for advanced users.
"If you're already proficient with selection tools, this might be too introductory."
"Good for beginners who need an overview, but intermediate users might find it lacking depth in certain areas."
"I found it didn't offer enough challenge as someone already skilled in Photoshop selections."
Some areas could use more detail.
"Some parts felt a little rushed..."
"While it covered hair and transparent objects, the examples felt somewhat basic compared to real-world challenges."
"...sometimes jumps between techniques without fully explaining *when* to use which tool for a specific job."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Essential Skills for Designers - Selecting People with these activities:
Review Photoshop Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of Photoshop's core tools and interface to better grasp selection techniques.
Show steps
  • Review the Photoshop interface and basic tools.
  • Practice basic image adjustments like brightness and contrast.
  • Familiarize yourself with layers and masking.
Read Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to Photoshop, reinforcing selection techniques.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book'.
  • Read the chapters related to selections and masking.
  • Complete the exercises provided in the book.
Practice Simple Selections
Sharpen your skills with simple selections to build a solid foundation for tackling more complex scenarios.
Show steps
  • Find images with clear subjects and distinct backgrounds.
  • Use the Quick Selection tool to select the subject.
  • Refine the selection using the Refine Edge tool.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read Photoshop CC: The Missing FAQ
Consult a FAQ to address common questions and challenges related to Photoshop selections.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Photoshop CC: The Missing FAQ'.
  • Search for questions related to selections and masking.
  • Read the answers and try the suggested solutions.
Write a Selection Tool Comparison
Solidify your understanding of different selection tools by writing a comparison of their strengths and weaknesses.
Show steps
  • Choose 3-4 selection tools to compare.
  • Research the strengths and weaknesses of each tool.
  • Write a detailed comparison, including use cases.
Create a Composite Image
Apply your selection skills to create a composite image, combining multiple elements seamlessly.
Show steps
  • Gather images with different subjects and backgrounds.
  • Make selections of each subject using appropriate tools.
  • Combine the selections into a single image.
  • Adjust colors and lighting to blend the elements.
Follow Advanced Selection Tutorials
Refine your skills by following advanced tutorials on selecting hair, transparent objects, and complex backgrounds.
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on advanced selection techniques.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial carefully.
  • Practice the techniques on your own images.

Career center

Learners who complete Essential Skills for Designers - Selecting People will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Photo Retoucher
A photo retoucher works with selections daily, adjusting images and producing high quality results for photographers and designers, and the skills taught in this course are essential to their practice. Photo retouchers use selections to make targeted adjustments such as removing blemishes, changing backgrounds, or creating special effects. The course demonstrates how to make selections of hair and transparent details, which can help photo retouchers achieve their best results. A photo retoucher should take this course to acquire the knowledge of tools and techniques to tackle the most complex challenges.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer frequently needs to integrate images into designs, and the ability to make precise selections in Photoshop is an essential skill. This course teaches graphic designers how to isolate elements and blend them seamlessly into layouts. The course covers a range of selection techniques, from simple to complex, ensuring that designers can handle any challenge. Since the course focuses on making selections of people, it may be particularly useful for graphic designers who work with portraiture, web imagery or advertising. A graphic designer should take this course to master the tools and techniques needed for professional-quality work.
Photographer
A photographer often needs to isolate subjects from their backgrounds, and this course on making selections in Photoshop is directly relevant to that need. Photographers use selections to manipulate images, create composites, or prepare photos for specific uses. This course, with its focus on techniques such as the lasso tool, magic wand, and pen tool, trains the skills required to refine and enhance photographs. The course's emphasis on selecting hair and transparent details is especially useful for photographers working with portraits or complex scenes. A photographer should take this course to ensure accuracy and efficiency in post processing.
Digital Artist
A digital artist often manipulates photographic elements, and this course on making selections in Photoshop provides the necessary skills for this process. Digital artists use selections to combine different elements, isolate areas for painting and adjustments, or create unique compositions. The course focuses on various tools and techniques, including the lasso tool, magic wand, and pen tool, helping users to acquire skill in the fundamentals of digital image manipulation. A digital artist should take this course to learn how to refine edges, work with intricate details, and integrate images seamlessly into artwork.
Illustrator
An illustrator often uses Photoshop to refine and composite images, and the skills taught in this course can be incredibly useful in their workflow. Illustrators may need to extract elements from photos or other images to use in their illustrations, or to create composited pieces. The course includes the use of various selection techniques, which help the artist ensure an accurate and high quality final piece. An illustrator should take this course to master techniques to integrate photographic elements into their designs.
Content Creator
A content creator often works with visuals, and the techniques taught in this course on selections in Photoshop can form a part of their repertoire. Content creators use selections to edit images, prepare assets for videos, or create engaging thumbnails for online content. The course provides an overview of various selection techniques, which helps the content creator to develop skills in image manipulation. This course focuses on the selection of people, which is an important skill to have when working with portraits and fashion photography. A content creator should take this course to learn how to make high quality graphics for their projects.
Web Designer
A web designer sometimes integrates photographs into web page layouts, and the ability to make accurate selections in Photoshop is frequently necessary. Web designers use selections to optimize images, prepare cutouts, or blend images into website designs. The course teaches a variety of selection techniques, which helps to ensure that any images that are incorporated into web design projects are of a high standard. This course focuses on the selection of people, which can be useful for web designers working with websites that make use of portraiture. A web designer should take this course to learn how to make precise selections quickly and efficiently, contributing to the quality of web-based visuals.
Art Director
An art director needs a strong understanding of image creation and manipulation. Although they do not make selections themselves, this course provides an overview of the methods and tools that are used. An art director will often work directly with photographers and retouchers and needs a practical understanding of their workflows. The course covers the use of the lasso tool, magic wand, pen tool and other selection techniques. This will help an art director understand the best approaches to use in creative work. An art director should take this course to gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of image processing.
Social Media Manager
A social media manager frequently creates or edits visual content, and the ability to make selections in Photoshop may be needed for this work. Social media managers use selections to prepare images for posts, create graphics, or optimize photos for different platforms. This course covers various selection techniques, from simple to complex, which allows a social media manager to acquire a range of skills in image editing. Since the course focuses on making selections of people, it can be of particular use for those who work with portraiture and fashion. A social media manager should take this course to gain the tools for creating compelling visuals for social media.
UI Designer
A user interface designer may need to use elements from photographs in their mockups, and the ability to isolate these elements with selections in Photoshop may be useful. UI designers use selections to prepare images for web and mobile interfaces. The course teaches various selection techniques, which improves the proficiency of the designer. Although the focus of this course is on selecting people, the skills taught can be applied to all images. A UI designer may find this course useful to acquire image manipulation skills.
Marketing Specialist
A marketing specialist may need to work with images for presentations or advertising campaigns, and an understanding of the skills taught in this course is valuable. Marketing specialists may communicate with designers and retouchers, and this course can help them to understand the tools and techniques used in their workflows. Although a marketing specialist may not need to make selections themselves, understanding the process improves their understanding of the creative process. This course could also help a marketing specialist create graphics in-house, saving time and money. A marketing specialist may find this course useful to improve their proficiency in creating effective visual content.
Fine Artist
A fine artist may incorporate photography into their practice, and the skills taught in this course on selections in Photoshop may be of use. Fine artists use selections to isolate areas or elements within a photograph, which can be used in making layered or collaged works. The course teaches various tools and techniques including the lasso, magic wand, pen tool and more. This will enable the artist to make precise selections. Although a fine artist does not always work with photography, the course can be useful in improving digital editing skills. A fine artist may find this course useful to achieve a higher standard of work.
Video Editor
Although a video editor works mainly with moving images, there are times when they may need to work with static images, and the skills taught in this course may be relevant. A video editor may need to use photographs in a video, and the ability to mask out or isolate an area is important. This course provides an overview of various selection techniques. This knowledge can help the editor to produce high quality videos. A video editor may find this course useful to acquire skills in image manipulation.
Animator
An animator may need to use photographic elements in their animations, and an understanding of selections in Photoshop is useful. Animators may use selections to isolate parts of photographs to be manipulated or composited into animation sequences. The course focuses on the use of many selection techniques, including lasso, magic wand and pen tools. Although an animator will not normally work with photography, there are instances when this knowledge can be useful. An animator may find this course useful to improve image editing skills.
Visual Merchandiser
A visual merchandiser may require proficiency in image manipulation to prepare materials. Although visual merchandising is a physical, in-person activity, there is also a need to create digital promotional materials. This course can help the visual merchandiser work with photographs and other imagery to produce posters, flyers, or other printed or digital collateral. The course focuses on many selection tools and techniques that will help improve their work. A visual merchandiser may find this course useful to acquire design skills.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Essential Skills for Designers - Selecting People.
Comprehensive guide to Photoshop, covering a wide range of topics including selections. It provides step-by-step instructions and practical exercises to reinforce learning. It is particularly useful for beginners and intermediate users who want to improve their Photoshop skills. This book can be used as a reference tool.
Answers common questions about Photoshop, including those related to selections. It provides practical tips and tricks to overcome challenges. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference. It can help you troubleshoot problems and improve your workflow.

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