Photoshop Elements /

Selection Tools /

You can use a section tool like a stencil.

You want to change the exposure, contrast, or color, in only part of your photograph.

Which selection tool should you use?

There are two categories of selection tools—magic and mechanical.

The magic selections tools do some of the work for you.

But, for the magic to happen, the area to be selected must have a tone or color different from the rest of the photograph.

Look at the area to be selected.

Is its tone or color different from the rest of the photograph?

If so—you can use a magic selection tool.

For example, the tones and colors of the monument below are different from the rest of the photograph.

Therefore, you can use a magic selection tool to select the monument.

If there's little tonal or color difference between the area to be selected—and the rest of the photograph—use a mechanical selection tool.

They're mechanical because you do the drawing.

For example, the tones and colors of the monument below are similar to those in the rest of the photograph.

Therefore, you can't use a magic selection tool.

You need to use a mechanical selection tool.

There are many tutorials that use use selections like stencils.

Selecting skies is a common use of selections as stencils.