Welcome, Photoshop enthusiasts! Today, we are going to delve into a topic that many find tricky: How to select hair in Photoshop. Hair is one of the most complex aspects to work with in Photoshop given its intricacies and fine details. But don’t worry! With the right tools and steps, it’s possible to achieve a clean selection. So, let’s get started!
Step 1: Open the Image
To start with, open the image you want to work on in Photoshop. You can do this by clicking on File > Open and then select the image from your files.
Step 2: Choose the Quick Selection Tool
Next, select the Quick Selection Tool from the tool palette. You can also press W on your keyboard to select it.
Step 3: Make a Basic Selection
With the Quick Selection Tool in hand, make a rough selection of the hair. Don’t worry about getting it perfect at this stage. We’ll refine it in the next steps.
Step 4: Refine the Selection
Now, this is where the magic happens. Go to Select > Select and Mask or click on the ‘Select and Mask’ button on the top panel. This will open a new workspace where you’ll see your selection against different backgrounds.
In this workspace, you’ll find a tool named ‘Refine Edge Brush’. This is your key tool for selecting hair. With this tool, paint over the edges of the hair. Photoshop will automatically detect and select the hair strands, even if they’re against a complex background. You can adjust the size of the brush to match the area you are working on.
Step 5: Output the Selection
Once you’re happy with the selection, it’s time to output it. In the ‘Output Settings’ on the right, choose ‘Layer Mask’ and then click ‘OK’. This will apply a mask to your selection, hiding the rest of the image.
Select > Select and Mask > Refine Edge Brush > Paint over the hair > Adjust the size of the brush > Output Settings > Choose Layer Mask > OK
And that’s it! You’ve successfully selected hair in Photoshop. With a little practice, you can refine your technique and achieve even better results.
Remember, Photoshop is a powerful tool with many functions to explore. Don’t stop learning and experimenting!
