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J
Joe_high_C
Participant
June 2, 2019
Answered

Problems with Select and Mask

  • June 2, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 374 views

Hey all.  Newish Photoshop user now trying to wrap my head around masking, and hitting a wall.

I'm trying to drop a different sky into a photo, and am having a problem with the Select and Mask option.  The videos I've seen online-- including the Scott Kelby one here-- make this look fairly straightforward, but I can't get it to work the same way.  Attached picture shows what I've been doing.

I've tried selecting sky instead of the roof and trees, adjusting Edge Detection and Global Refinement settings, threats, prayer-- none of it works.  Hoping someone here can see a missing step I haven't.  Thanks!

FWIW I'm running Photoshop CC v 20.0.3 on High Sierra 10.13.5

Oh

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer davescm

You are using too big a refine edge brush.

In select and mask - use the the quick mask tool first to get the most accurate selection you can make with it. You can add and take away by using teh Alt key with teh brush.  Only then use refine edge on the soft areas. Keep to a small brush and only paint on the edges of the leaves, nest and bird. The quick mask tool should already have taken care of the building.

Dave

2 replies

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 2, 2019

Whilst my comments on refine edge apply to any image, on that particular image you can make a mask just by duplicating the blue channel and using a curve.

After that just paint in the solid areas with a white brush.

Dave

J
Joe_high_CAuthor
Participant
June 3, 2019

Dave, this is super helpful!  The videos made it look like one just needed to get in the ballpark

Your "blue channel" shortcut is really clever.  I'll try doing it the other way, since that'll serve me more in the future.

Thanks!

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 2, 2019

You are using too big a refine edge brush.

In select and mask - use the the quick mask tool first to get the most accurate selection you can make with it. You can add and take away by using teh Alt key with teh brush.  Only then use refine edge on the soft areas. Keep to a small brush and only paint on the edges of the leaves, nest and bird. The quick mask tool should already have taken care of the building.

Dave

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