cropping around a person

[natelukesmom]

I'm trying to figure out how to cut my son's body out of a picture, and put it on a scrapbook page. Do I use the lasso tool? I'm having a hard time keeping it straight around him. Any thoughts? Thanks! Amanda

[estherf]

Hi,
Can you let us know which software version you are using? The most recent ones have a wonderful tool for selection: The quick selection tool. You can use more than one of the tools to make a selection. Get the quick part done then pick up the lasso to refine the edges.

I think the biggest mistake I made with the lasso when starting out, was thinking I had to get it all right in one go. Now I know better. You can select some and then add/remove from that selection until you finally get it like you want it. For instance make a rough selection all the way around the item, then go back and nibble away with the minus tool. When you have the selection made, put it on a new layer by doing a control+J. Turn off the background and take a look at the results. If there are a few tags here and there, get the eraser and clean them up. This, of course, is a distructive tool used like this. You might have to do a few 'undo' keystrokes!

As always, never use an original image when you are working on it. Duplicate the image and work only with that one.

[landorasue]

The Magnetic Lasso works better than the Lasso if there is a color difference between the subject and the colors next to the subject. Also, remember if you make a mistake, you do not have to start over. You can press Backspace to erase anchors. Also, if you need to move your photo, press the Spacebar to get the Hand Tool, move your photo, then BEFORE you let go of the Spacebar, make sure your cursor is where you left off with the Mag. Lasso. Another thing to remember when using the Mag. Lasso is when you're going around a tough area on your subject, you can left-click your mouse to place anchors in the exact spot you want them.

Depending on what version of PS you're using, there are some tricks to make your selection not have such hard edges when you jump (Ctrl J) the image to it's own layer (Feather, Defringe, Remove White Matte, Remove Black Matte, Modify-Contract).

[troush]

You will probably have to modify your selection using the selection brush, if you are not using PSE 7. Make sure you feather your selection one or two pixels after you make your selection and before you cut.

=Trish

[Sharpli]

I'm still using Elements 5 and there's a Magic Extractor - find it under Image - that really works pretty well. Check that out, too , if you have it.