Using Selection Tools in Photoshop

[Grahamfromburnley]

When I select part of a photograph using, say a oblong selection tool, I get the marching ants. Is there a way that I can get the marching ants but also black out the area not selected. I find it difficult to visualise the finished object until I crop, then often need to go back and reposition the selection box. I would like to be able to move the selected area around, with the background blacked out to get my composition correct, then crop the part I want. I hope you understand what I mean.

[Semaphoric · Accepted solution]

You can reposition the selection by dragging inside it with the Marquee tool. To block out the unselected part, press Q to enter Quick Mask mode, and drag the selected area with the Move tool, and press Q again when done to return to Standard Mode.

[Grahamfromburnley]

Hi Semaphoric, that works fine for what I want. It's mainly zooming in and cropping in photographs. Thanks a lot for your help. I have changed the mask colour to black and increased the opacity ...  🙂