Extraction Is the Best Photoshop Masking Technique

In the beginning it could be a little difficult to master even a single extraction method. But as the novice understand the medium and the process; the clouds begin to clear away from the mind. Photoshop is great software to start the graphic course. Any kind of photo might reach the table. It may be much easier to extract a figure that has well defined edges or geometric shape. But if it is wild crop of hair, or a bunch of trees, there could be a challenge. Once glance will help the editor to identify which is the best method of isolation or extraction. Simple forms can be detached quickly. The Photoshop grid can be used to select the object. Depending on what needs to be extracted the degree of difficulty can be determined. Then a combination of tools like the pen, eraser, and magic wand, making masks can be applied. Even quick mask can come to the rescue for extraction. With so many solutions extraction becomes a simple process.

How can extraction be done skillfully? Take a picture that has a composition that needs to be removed. For example there is a mug of a man with a gun with a dark background of trees behind. The mug needs to be used in a different backdrop to make the figure clearer. Try to use the lasso tool to earmark the area for extraction. Larger selections are difficult to execute. Hence choose smaller masses. This enables the editor to have a marquee selection. Copy and paste it to another file. The lasso tool may be time consuming but it gives better results. It takes longer because it is done manually. But it gives wonderful results.

The same mug can be extracted with the quick mask also. But the final output may be less than perfect. Less time will be involved in the procedure too. This is done with the brush and paint tools. If the edges are sharp, a soft eraser can be used to clean it for a better extraction. There is an option to preview it also. Make use of it to know if the extraction is being done correctly.
Extraction can also be done with the magic wand. This is also a cool method to isolate the mug from the original background and put it against another interesting one. If further skills need to be developed, then try to use the magnetic lasso. It can be done with the mouse itself. Once the subject is selected, extraction is possible.

With so many ways to achieve the target result, no wonder extraction is the best Photoshop masking technique. It is one of the quickest ways to develop a series of skills as a graphic editor. With graphic editors in demand for many sectors like ad agencies, print media, e-commerce, knowing how to do it in different ways can be a boon. Many beginners are now confident of picking up projects for photo editing armed with these simple techniques.