Adobe Photoshop CS5 ACE Certified Practice Exam

Choosing the Right Selection Tool in Photoshop

Selecting specific elements within an image is a fundamental skill in Photoshop. Here's a look at common scenarios and the best tools to achieve precise results:

• Quickly Selecting a Subject: When you need to isolate a specific object, like a red car on a mountain road, the Quick Selection tool is often the fastest and most effective option. It intelligently identifies edges and allows for easy adjustments.

• Selecting Areas of Similar Color: The Magic Wand tool excels at selecting areas with similar color values. This is useful for isolating a leafy green tree against a light blue sky. A common workflow is to use the Magic Wand, then choose Select > Similar to refine the selection.

• Precise Selection in Complex Areas: Quick Mask Mode provides a non-destructive way to make selections, especially helpful for intricate details like the sky between the leaves. Painting in Quick Mask allows for nuanced control.

• Refining Existing Selections: You might start with an Elliptical Marquee tool selection and need to adjust its boundaries. To expand the selection to the right without moving the image, use the Move tool while holding down the Shift key. Alternatively, using the arrow keys with the Move tool will also expand the selection.

• Dealing with Hair and Fur: When selecting a subject with fine details like hair, a fringe of the background can sometimes remain. The Refine Edge dialog box, specifically the Select Decontaminate Colors option, is the best way to minimize this fringe and create a clean edge.

• Color Management for Printing: For professional printing with a desktop inkjet printer and a custom ICC profile, ensure you select Printer Manages Colors in the Color Management area of the Print dialog box. This allows Photoshop to utilize your custom profile for accurate color reproduction.