Effectively using selection tools in Photoshop Elements

The selection tools in Photoshop Elements are essential aids for anyone working creatively with images. These tools allow you to make precise selections that you can then edit as you wish. In this guide, I will specifically focus on the rectangular selection and the elliptical selection. You will learn how to use these tools correctly and what tricks will help you achieve effective results.

Key findings

• With selection tools, you can specifically select and change areas of an image.
• The rectangular selection and the elliptical selection offer different starting points for creative possibilities.
• Soft edges can make the selection more harmonious.
• The combination of tools gives you almost limitless boundaries in your creative projects.

Step-by-step guide

Using the rectangular selection tool

To select an image or a specific area, start with the rectangular selection tool. To do this, select the rectangular selection tool from the toolbar on the left side.

You can now drag a rectangular selection by holding the mouse button down. The size of the selection is completely flexible, so it depends entirely on your preferences and needs.

Once you have made the selection and release the mouse button, the selection will be displayed. To move the selection, simply click in the center of the selection and drag it to the desired location. With this, you have already successfully completed the first step.

A small note: The use of the rectangular selection generally serves to highlight or delete a specific area. To remove something within the selection, you can press the Delete key.

Soft edges for more harmonious selections

If you want the edges of your selection to look less harsh, you can soften the selection. To do this, you'll find the option to set a soft edge at the bottom of the selection tool. Choose a value, for example, 130 pixels, to achieve a softer edge.

When you apply this, you will see that the corners of the selection now appear less sharp. This not only makes the selection more aesthetic but also more natural.

To apply the softer selection to the contours of an object, for example, when photographing, you can use this option when removing distracting areas like vignettes.

Combining selection tools

Another exciting aspect is the combination of different selection tools. Let's say you want to add additional areas to an existing selection. To do this, hold down the Shift key while you make an additional selection with the selection tool.

Any new area you add will be included in your selection, allowing you to create more complex patterns. This is particularly helpful when you want to work on larger areas.

Copying selections to new layers

Another useful feature is copying a selection to a new layer. For example, if you make a selection around the head of a model, press the Command key and J (Windows: Control + J). This will copy the selection to a new layer.

This allows you to hide the background and edit only the selected area.

Using the elliptical selection

Similar to the rectangular selection, the elliptical selection tool works the same way. It allows you to make oval or round selections. You can use the same technique as with the rectangular selection by selecting areas and copying them to new layers.

You can also apply soft edges here to make the edges of the selection appear less harsh. The application is similar to the previous selection tools.

Distortion of selection areas

Another creative tool is the new merge tool. With it, you can directly distort the selected pixels and edit them flexibly. If the above image area still has visual disturbances like a vignette, you can directly transform and adjust it.

The transformation will eliminate the unwanted element, and you can give the image a harmonious appearance again.

A tip: Use the possibilities of soft edges to make your work aesthetically appealing. Over time, you will find that the combination of these tools gives you a lot of creative freedom.

Summary – Selection tools in Photoshop Elements: Working effectively with the rectangular and elliptical selection

With these tools, you can work specifically and edit your image. Using soft edges and combining different selection methods increases flexibility and the ability to realize creative projects. Learn to harness the strengths of both selection tools to enrich your image editing.