I got this request as a PM but it occurs to me that maybe somebody else wants to know what I did.


I am using Photoshop Elements 11. I think this will work with Photoshop or almost any of the Elements, esp. the later versions. When making a separation like this, I use a variety of selection tools. In this case I started on the statue and its plinth (pedestal, whatever :lol: ) with the Quick Selection Tool to make a fairly quick and dirty overall selection. I love this tool because it quickly snaps to the edges of a selection, but not perfectly. OldNotMold, you are absolutely correct; unless there is strong contrast the Quick Selection is apt to get either too much or too little. So you have to start the (frankly rather) tedious process of finishing out the selection. I use all three selection tools as needed. I rarely use the lassos or marquee tools. I think what I do is faster. Personal preference.

When refining I like to work the Selection Brush with the image at at least 100%, or larger, whatever it takes to get the best selection I can (it honestly takes a lot of patience, which I am lucky to have, having spent years hand-retouching negatives). I keep my selection brush hardness about 85%. I work in selection mode rather than mask mode, but it’s purely a personal preference. I usually keep the brush in ADD mode, but when I need to subtract I can just press the OPTION (ALT on a PC) key and the tool instantly switches to subtract. If I make a mistake I usually just back up in History. I go around the entire edge of the selection to refine it. It's tedious.

I will switch back and forth from selection brush to quick selection and even use the Magic Wand Tool, usually at a tolerance of 5 to 10% and contiguous only. That tool is really good in very tiny areas. I change my brush sizes as needed, using the bracket keys. the [ bracket makes the tool smaller; the ] bracket makes it larger, all very quickly.

I usually don’t use any of the marquee tools. I should say that I do all this with a mouse, not a tablet. I’ve often thought that I would like a tablet, but I don’t care much for the prices. :lol:

When I have made the best selection I can I will then Refine Edge, available in the Quick Selection or Magic Wand tools. I think I’m (as usual) getting too long-winded, but I do have specific presets I use with that. There is a tool within the tool that allows for refining very fine detail, such as around hair or trees. I've been watching tutorials on how to use the thing, which is how I got into this mess in the first place. :lol:

After that I made a gradient adjustment layer and put in that gray thingy, but several folks suggested that was pretty blaaaah (they're right) so I went back to discover that (1) I forgot to save my selection :oops: and (2) I apparently cannot turn the existing mask into something I can use for something else. :evil: So I had to reselect the whole thing (as described), and then I started fooling around with other backgrounds and just using the Move Tool to drag and drop Forward into other pictures (great fun!). :lol:

I hope this helps. I am not and never will be an “expert” at anything. I hope I know what I don’t know. I’m here to learn stuff, but if I can help I will! :D :thumbup:

The name Creative Cloud gives the impression that all storage, work and programs are "in the cloud", but far from it.

When you subscribe, the software you want is downloaded and installed on your computer just like when purchased from a store on disk.

Your images are stored where ever you want them stored, and when you wish to edit an image, you load the editing software from your disk and work on your images, just like always.

The difference is the licensing. A Creative Cloud subscription means you are leasing the software, and the software will need to check in with Adobe to verify that your subscription has not lapsed. This should be transparent to you, but happens every 30 days or so.

I have used the Photographer's package, 10.00 a month, Lightroom & Photoshop - can't beat the price, and you get every update & upgrade at no cost other then your normal subscription rate.

I am always connected to the internet BTW, so never had a licensing issue.

I chose a Sirui Carbon Fiber monopod for me.
One of my "criteria" was that is be very compact for travel.

To that I also bought a ball head. But now wish I had gotten a tilt head.



I have never used a crows foot monopod. But I would question one's stability on any uneven ground. If it could be single point, or crows foot (and some are), that might actually be ideal.

I also got a head to hold a Smarter-than-me-phone.

I prefer to have my camera on a sling, and mount it to the monopod to shoot. Then dismount it to walk.
I find the action of walking with the camera on the stick tends to jar the camera more than I care for.

But a monopod is a great accessory. ;)