Fine selection in photoshop query

[snerkler]

I've trying to select the subject in this image and am struggling with the fur shoulder piece.





I've watched these two videos on fine selection of hair to try and help but it's not working.

View: https://youtu.be/VlbRqwS-1ms?si=4gP6_S8oo4Mr4oU4

View: https://youtu.be/yjIAr_g8Qpw?si=Q93Cfh1HorixCWcx



When I use the refine brush it just seems to remove more and more of the subject rather than refining the mask/selection as you can see in this screen recording (I've not been precise with the brush for demonstration purposes). Can anyone explain why and help me select the fur better please? I'm not that au fait with photoshop.

Screen Recording 2024 10 26 at 08 18 37

youtu.be

 

[Suvv]

I had a book on PSE 9 where the authors showed how to keep fine detail. The book had links to photos and videos so you could follow what was being done. These are still available https://www.markgaler.com/book-resources/resources-for-photoshop-elements-9-maximum-performance Look for Module 3 Project 10. Although it was for PSE 9 it should be OK with whatever version you are using and it is an effective technique.

 

[snerkler]

I had a book on PSE 9 where the authors showed how to keep fine detail. The book had links to photos and videos so you could follow what was being done. These are still available https://www.markgaler.com/book-resources/resources-for-photoshop-elements-9-maximum-performance Look for Module 3 Project 10. Although it was for PSE 9 it should be OK with whatever version you are using and it is an effective technique.

Thanks very much, I'll have a look

 

[sk66]

I was able to do better using color aware mode and a little feather/shift. I mostly used the refine brush, but also the selection brush; and I used them in both the select and deselect modes. Even then, multiple blend modes or custom brushes might be required to refine the final results.

Here it is shown against white.

 

[snerkler]

I was able to do better using color aware mode and a little feather/shift. I mostly used the refine brush, but also the selection brush; and I used them in both the select and deselect modes. Even then, multiple blend modes or custom brushes might be required to refine the final results.

Here it is shown against white.
View attachment 437184

Thanks, that's come out a lot better than mine. How did you use the refine brush on his left shoulder (right as we're looking at it) so that it didn't remove the fur as in my screenshot video I posted please?

 

[sk66]

I used a soft brush at zero hardness; but being in the color aware mode also made a big difference.

 

[snerkler]

I used a soft brush at zero hardness; but being in the color aware mode also made a big difference.

Thanks, I was in the colour aware mode too. I'll practice some more and see if I can fine tune it and understand why my brush is removing a lot of the fur that I want.

 

[sk66]

The brush tool is interesting because it selects pixels based upon the color/luminance of the pixels under the brush crosshair... similar to how LR's adjustment brush does.