Selecting in Adobe Photoshop by Michael Klapp. What is Selecting? A way to isolate sections of an image for editing.

Selecting inSelecting inAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop

byMichael Klapp

What is Selecting?What is Selecting?

A way to isolate sections of an image

for editing

What is Selecting?What is Selecting?•Click on this video to see how you select a square around the owl’s head•The dotted box or “marching ants” represents the area selected

• To bring out or modify parts of images

Why Selecting?Why Selecting?






• To eliminate unwanted parts of pictures







• To combine images




• To combine images & or distort reality!


• Marquee tools– Allow selection of

polygon regions

• Lasso tools – Allow selection of

drawn regions

• Magic wand tool– Allows selection

of similar colored pixels

How Do You Select How Do You Select Effectively?Effectively?

How Do You Select How Do You Select Effectively?Effectively?

• Marquee tools– Allow selection of

polygon regions

• Lasso tools – Allow selection of

drawn regions

• Magic wand tool– Allows selection

of similar colored pixels

The Marquee ToolThe Marquee Tool

• The Marquee is the simplest of the selecting options

• It allows you to select a square or oval section of the image

The Marquee ToolThe Marquee Tool

The Lasso ToolThe Lasso Tool

• The Lasso tool can be effective when you want to select an arbitrary region

• Since it is done freehand, it is not terribly exact and may cause some problems.

The Lasso ToolThe Lasso Tool

The Magic Wand ToolThe Magic Wand Tool

• The Magic Wand allows you to select pixels of similar color adjacent to one another

• Works best when there is contrast between the desired selection and the background

• A very useful tool that works well in union with the “select inverse” option

The Magic Wand ToolThe Magic Wand Tool

• Often we select the opposite of what we really want and then use the select inverse command from the select menu.

• In some cases, you will want to add to selections, or deselect parts of a selection

• If you select while holding down the shift key you add to your selection

• If you select while holding the alt key you deselect the section

Adding and Subtracting SelectionsAdding and Subtracting Selections


If you select while holding down the shift key you add to your selection

If you select while holding the alt key you deselect the section


Putting it all TogetherPutting it all Together

Just Remember…Just Remember…

• Understanding selecting is a great step in effective image editing

• There are three ways to select– The marquee– The lasso– The magic wand

• And of course, the way to be successful with these tools is to practice!

Selecting in Adobe Photoshop by Michael Klapp. What is Selecting? A way to isolate sections of an image for editing.

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