How do I add a selection area in Photoshop?

To add to an existing selection area in Photoshop, you can use a few different methods depending on the selection tool you're using. Here's a breakdown:

Method 1: Using the Shift Key

This is the most common and straightforward method:

1. Select a Selection Tool: Choose any selection tool (e.g., Rectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee, Lasso, Magic Wand).
2. Make an Initial Selection: Create your first selection area.
3. Hold Shift: Press and hold the Shift key. You'll see a plus sign (+) appear next to your cursor, indicating you're in "Add to Selection" mode.
4. Make Another Selection: Click and drag to create another selection that overlaps or is adjacent to the existing selection. The new area will be added to the original selection.
5. Repeat: Continue holding Shift and making selections to add more areas as needed.

Method 2: Using the "Add to Selection" Option in the Options Bar

Some selection tools have options in the options bar at the top of the Photoshop window.

1. Select a Selection Tool: Choose a tool like the Rectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee, Lasso Tool or Magic Wand.
2. Look at the Options Bar: Above the canvas, find the options bar.
3. Choose "Add to Selection": Look for four overlapping square icons. Hovering over them should reveal labels. Click the second icon, the one labeled "Add to Selection".
4. Make Another Selection: Click and drag to make another selection. The new area will be added to the first selection.
5. Continue Adding: Make sure you stay in the "Add to Selection" mode for each subsequent selection.

Method 3: Quick Selection Tool / Magic Wand Tool

• Select the Tool: Choose the Quick Selection Tool or the Magic Wand Tool.
• Simply Click or Drag: Click on the areas you want to add to the selection. The tools intelligently try to detect the edges of the object you're selecting. If the tool selects too much, you can switch to the Subtract From Selection mode (as detailed below).

Subtracting from a Selection (if needed)

You might select too much initially and need to remove parts of your selection.

1. Hold Alt (Option on Mac): Press and hold the Alt key (or Option key on a Mac). You'll see a minus sign (-) appear next to your cursor, indicating you're in "Subtract from Selection" mode.
2. Make a Selection to Subtract: Click and drag over the area you want to remove from the selection.

Example:

Let's say you want to select two separate circles.

1. Use the Elliptical Marquee tool to draw a circle.
2. Hold down the Shift key and draw another circle. Now both circles are selected.