Photoshop Elements /

Selection Tools /

Selection Tools Flow Chart /

Tips

Tip #1 - Keep It Simple at First

Beginners should start with an easy selection.

What's easy?

A Red Frisbee™ on green grass?

Yes!

A Multi-colored snake slithering across multi-colored rocks?

No!

Tip #2 - Use More than

One Selection Tool

You often need to use more than one tool to make a selection.

For example, the Selection Brush tool is often used to "mop" away unneeded parts of a selection.

Go to Selection Brush Mop.

You can alternate between the Lasso tool (operates free hand) and the Polygonal Lasso tool (makes straight lines) by pressing and holding Alt.

Tip #3 - Zoom In

Enlarge the area that you're selecting with the Zoom tool.

And, realize that minor errors probably won't show when the photograph is at 100% magnification.