Defringing question

[Trains1985]

How do I simply mask a photograph, and defringe the remaining selection?

I have tried duplicating the image, selecting the desired area, turning off the Background layer, adding a vector mask, making the unwanted area becomes white, then, going to Layer > Matting > Defringe. Once the window comes up, I tell it to defringe 1 pixel. I click okay, and nothing changes (as far as I can tell).

Any help would be much appreciated.

Sand Patch

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

It depends on the image, your version of Photoshop and maybe your skills.

Maybe try Select > Subject

And then Select and Mask

Perhaps you can post a copy of the photograph.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

What gave you the idea that defringing works with Vector Masks or even Layer Masks? 

Could you post a screenshot with the Layers Panel wisible to clarify the situation.