How Do You Select Selected in Photoshop?

To select something that's already "selected" in Photoshop (meaning you want to modify or re-select the existing selection), you'll typically adjust or refine your current selection using a variety of tools and techniques. Here's how:

Refining Existing Selections

Instead of "selecting selected," you'll want to refine or modify the existing selection. Photoshop provides several options:

• Selection Tools: Use tools like the Rectangular Marquee, Elliptical Marquee, Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso, or the Object Selection Tool to add to, subtract from, intersect with, or make a new selection that overlaps with the existing one.

  • Adding to a selection: Hold down the Shift key while making a new selection to add it to the current one.
  • Subtracting from a selection: Hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key while making a new selection to subtract it from the current one.
  • Intersecting with a selection: Hold down Shift + Alt (Windows) or Shift + Option (Mac) while making a new selection to select only the area where the new and existing selections overlap.

• Select and Mask Workspace: This is a dedicated workspace for refining selections. Go to Select > Select and Mask. Here, you can:

  • Adjust Edges: Use the Radius slider to soften the selection edges, or the Smooth slider to reduce jaggedness.
  • Feather: Feather the edges of the selection for a softer transition.
  • Contrast: Increase the contrast of the selection edges for a sharper transition.
  • Shift Edge: Expand or contract the selection area.
  • Decontaminate Colors: Helps to remove color fringing around the edges of the selection, especially useful when selecting hair or fur.
  • Refine Edge Brush Tool: Specifically designed to improve selections around complex edges like hair or fur.

• Transform Selection: Go to Select > Transform Selection. This allows you to scale, rotate, skew, distort, or warp the selection outline itself, without affecting the image content.

Example Using the Object Selection Tool:

As the reference video demonstrates, you can use the Object Selection Tool to initially select an object by simply clicking on it. If the selection isn't perfect, you can then:

1. Use the Shift key to add to the selection, including areas that weren't initially selected.
2. Use the Alt/Option key to subtract from the selection, removing areas that were incorrectly included.
3. Navigate to Select > Select and Mask for advanced refinement.

Key Takeaways

Refining a selection in Photoshop is an iterative process. Experiment with different tools and techniques to achieve the desired outcome. The "Select and Mask" workspace is your most powerful ally for precise selections.