Ok so basically I am working through a tutorial in a mag and I have to make a path round a womens face and body with the pen tool. The body is fine but I was wondering how do most pros approach the hair? The only thing that comes to mind for me is to just go around the hair as a big block and get the rest done. Then switch to quick mask mode and using the brush of different sizes do the hair then to include it in the mask. Is that the best way?

Im keen to hear how you all would approach something like that. I know you can use the extract filter but id like to not use that if possible.

Thanks

Depending on what the background is like, you can roughly cut around the hair and use screen (if dark background) or multiply (if light background) on just the edges of the hair to get a perfect transition. Otherwise, extract is probably your best bet.

Don't cut around the hair tool at all using a pen or brush for your main mask. You'll either get to soft or hard of a mask that isn't exact and not worth wasting your time.

1) Trying going into channels and seeing which one gives you the most contrast in the hair and the surrounding area. 

2)Duplicate the channel

3) Adjust the levels on the channel for additional contrast.

4) Use dodge and a burn to help create negative and positive space for selection......etc


Here a few links, check them out.



http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photos … toshop.htm

http://www.photoshopforphotographers.co … vie-04.pdf

When it comes to real life hair, your best bet is using channels, or color range.
Extraction is also a possible choice.

I've used extraction and it does the job, sometimes.

For complex hair extraction use channels and color range but depending on the background you may have to touch it up a LOT... on a clear background color range works perfectly though (create a desaturated copy and change the levels to make the hair as black as possible and use that to make a color range selection... then mask that selection on the original layer and touch it up as best u can)

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually found the channels way is the best. It's such a simple method compared to using the pen tool. I just duplicated the darkest one, blue usually and then go around the outline of the body with the burn tool. Painted in the middle with black brush and then finally toget the edges more defined around the body make small selections with the lasoo tool and then crank up/down levels to get more line definition. Inverse and select...

I love this forum..!! :-)

how about blondie hair......

Yup.. Channel could help a lot.
I used to use channel to find the most contrast one and then cut out the part I don't want.
But it still have a bit problem at some very very fine hair. Anyone have any idea?

i try to use the help of fluid mask.

It seems you can also roughly pentool around the edge and smudge the missing details.