Master Photoshop Selection Tools
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:
- Use the Marquee, Lasso, and Quick Selection tools effectively in Photoshop
- Apply AI Object Select to isolate complex subjects quickly
- Create clean selections for professional photo editing results
Introduction
Good selections are the foundation of quality photo editing. Whether you're removing backgrounds, adjusting specific areas, or creating composites, knowing how to select precisely saves time and improves your results.
This chapter covers the essential selection tools in Photoshop, from basic manual tools to AI-powered features. You'll learn when to use each tool and how to get clean, accurate selections every time.
Lessons
The Marquee Tool
The Marquee Tool creates simple geometric selections and comes in two main types:
Rectangular Marquee: Perfect for cropping or selecting square and rectangular areas.
Step 1: Press M on your keyboard or click the Marquee icon in the toolbar
Step 2: Click and drag to create your selection
Step 3: Hold Shift while dragging to create perfect squares or circles
Elliptical Marquee: Ideal for circular selections or creating vignettes.
Step 1: Right-click the Marquee tool and select Elliptical Marquee
Step 2: Click and drag to create your oval selection
Step 3: Hold Shift for perfect circles
The Marquee tools work best for clean, geometric selections where precision matters.
The Lasso Tool
The Lasso Tool gives you complete control over selection shapes through three variations:
Standard Lasso: Draw freehand selections around any shape.
Step 1: Select the Lasso Tool (L key)
Step 2: Click and drag around your subject
Step 3: Return to your starting point to complete the selection
Polygonal Lasso: Create selections using straight line segments.
Step 1: Right-click the Lasso and choose Polygonal Lasso
Step 2: Click to set points around your subject
Step 3: Double-click to complete the selection
Magnetic Lasso: The tool automatically snaps to edges as you trace.
Step 1: Select the Magnetic Lasso
Step 2: Click on an edge and move your cursor along the subject's outline
Step 3: The tool places anchor points automatically
Here's the bit most people miss: zoom in close when using any Lasso tool. This gives you much better control over tricky areas like hair or detailed edges.
Quick Selection Tool
The Quick Selection Tool works like a smart paintbrush that recognises edges and textures.
Step 1: Select the Quick Selection Tool (W key)
Step 2: Adjust your brush size using the bracket keys ([ and ])
Step 3: Paint over the area you want to select
Step 4: The tool automatically finds similar pixels and expands the selection
To refine your selection:
- Hold Alt and paint to remove areas from the selection
- Use a smaller brush for detailed areas
- Switch to "Enhance Edge" mode in the options bar for better results on fuzzy subjects
This tool excels with subjects that have clear contrast against their background.
AI Object Select Tool
AI Object Select uses machine learning to identify and select objects automatically. It's particularly useful for complex subjects.
Step 1: Go to Select > Object Finder Tool (or press W and cycle to Object Select)
Step 2: Draw a loose rectangle or lasso around your subject
Step 3: Photoshop's AI analyses the area and creates a selection
Step 4: Use the refine options to adjust if needed
The AI works best when:
- Your subject has clear edges
- There's good contrast with the background
- The object is a recognisable shape (people, animals, vehicles, etc.)
For tricky selections, try drawing a tighter boundary around your subject to give the AI more guidance.
Combining Selection Tools
Professional editors rarely use just one selection tool. Here's how to combine them effectively:
Adding to selections: Hold Shift and use any selection tool to add areas
Subtracting from selections: Hold Alt and select areas to remove them
Intersecting selections: Hold Shift + Alt to keep only overlapping areas
Step 1: Start with the Quick Selection Tool for the main subject
Step 2: Switch to the Lasso Tool for detailed areas the Quick Selection missed
Step 3: Use Alt + Lasso to remove any unwanted parts
Step 4: Refine edges using Select > Select and Mask
Practice
Try this exercise to practise your selection skills:
- Open a photo with a clear subject (person, animal, or object)
- Use the Quick Selection Tool to select the main subject
- Switch to the Lasso Tool to refine areas the Quick Selection missed
- Try the AI Object Select on the same image and compare results
- Practice adding and subtracting from your selection using Shift and Alt
Focus on getting clean edges around your subject. Don't worry about perfection at first – building muscle memory with these tools takes time.
FAQs
Which selection tool should I use first?
Start with the Quick Selection Tool for most subjects. It's fast and handles the bulk of the work. Then refine with the Lasso tools where needed.
Why does AI Object Select sometimes miss parts of my subject?
AI Object Select works best with clearly defined objects. Complex backgrounds, similar colours, or unusual shapes can confuse it. Try drawing a tighter boundary or switching to manual tools for tricky areas.
How do I fix selections that include background areas I don't want?
Hold Alt and use any selection tool to subtract unwanted areas. The Lasso Tool works well for removing small background bits that got included.
Can I save selections to use later?
Yes. Go to Select > Save Selection to store your selection. You can reload it anytime using Select > Load Selection.
Jargon Buster
Marquee Tool: Creates rectangular or elliptical selections using click and drag
Lasso Tool: Allows freehand selection drawing around subjects
Quick Selection Tool: Paints selections that automatically find similar pixels
AI Object Select: Uses artificial intelligence to identify and select objects
Marching Ants: The animated dotted line that shows your active selection
Feathering: Softens selection edges to create gradual transitions
Wrap-up
You now have the core selection tools that professional editors use daily. The Marquee tools handle geometric shapes, Lasso tools give you precise control, Quick Selection speeds up the process, and AI Object Select tackles complex subjects.
The key is knowing when to use each tool and how to combine them. Start with the fastest tool for your situation, then refine with more precise tools where needed.
Next, we'll explore how to use these selections for common editing tasks like background removal and colour adjustments.
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