magic wand when high contrast

[joelh33703351]

I am trying to master the magic wand selection working with the latest version of Photoshop on a Dell laptop. Disregard the quality of the image. If I wanted the magic wand to just select the black lines that indicate the book what setting would be optimum. The contrast between the yellow background and the black lines is great so if I could get the wand just to snap onto the black that would be ideal. I want to copy it and paste into another image. 

[kevin stohlmeyer · Accepted solution]

@joelh33703351 the magic wand can be adjusted in the options above. Changing the Tolerance setting will increase or decrease the selected pixels. Holding the shift key and clicking will add to the selection.

IMO the magic wand is ok - but there are newer/more efficient tools/means to make this selection.

Using the Quick Selection tool for example can allow you to brush your selected areas. Holding Alt will deselect any unwanted selections.

Another option would be to use the Select menu>Color Range and have it select the black color at once.

[Peru Bob]

You could also duplicate the layer and use the magic eraser to eliminate the yellow.

Then select the book and create a new layer from the selection.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

How do you want to use the element in the receiving image? 

In a case like this I wonder if a crude Layer Mask and Blend If-settings might not be a better approach. 

[r-bin]

It’s easier and faster to draw a path to the desired outline of the shape and then turn it into a selection or mask.