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Selection Tools >

Selection tools can be used like:

• Cookie cutters.

• Stencils.

• Blue masking tape.

You can use a selection tool like a cookie cutter.

You need to select an area, and cut it out.

For example, let's say you want to make a collage of faces.

You can cut the faces out with a selection tool.

You can use a selection tool like a stencil.

A stencil covers up most of a surface.

The paint is applied only where the stencil has openings.

Similarly, when you make a selection, you can make a change only in the selected area.

The area outside the selected isn't affected by the changes you make inside the selection.

You can change the exposure, contrast, color, and so forth.

There are many tutorials that use use selections like stencils.

Selecting skies is a common use of selections as stencils.

You can use a selection like blue masking tape.

Let's say you're painting a window.

You may use blue masking tape to keep the paint off of the glass.

Likewise, a selection will confine a correction only to the area inside the photograph.

In the photograph below, the Healing Brush tool, the white circle, has strayed outside the face into the shadow.

The Healing Brush Tool Strayed Outside the Face

Below, a selection was added around the mole.

The area outside the selection is now protected from the Healing Brush.

A Selection Now Surrounds the Mole

In the next photograph, you can see how the Healing Brush tool is removing the mole.

However, this activity ends at the edge of the selection.

The area outside the selection remains unaffected by the Healing Brush tool.

The Photograph Outside of the Selection

Is Protected from the Healing Brush Tool

Next, we'll look at the three categories of selection tools.