•Photoshop has also added a new tool into the mix – The quick selection tool. The newest edition to the tool palette is located 4 tools down and shares a slot with the magic wand tool. This tool allows you to select a portion of an image just by painting over it.

•The Istock image in this tutorial is relatively busy  and contains a variety of different colors. Other than the child's skin, there aren't really any big blocks of color to work with. By using the quick selection tool, you can select this little guy quickly and fairly easy. By painting over his head and arms. Be sure to notice how Photoshop is giving you live updates as you paint over the image.

•The Quick Selection Tool usually works better by taking multiple strokes, instead of trying to do it all in one swift move. Once the head is painted over, Photoshop will draw the marching ants around the selected portion of the image and also switch you from the “new selection” mode to the “add to selection mode.” It immediately goes to the add to selection mode so that you can continue painting to add to the selection. Unlike other tools, you don't have to press the Shift key to add to the selection. You can just continue painting away.

To smooth out the edges a little bit more, check the “Auto-Enhance” checkbox. This tells Photoshop that you're working with a fast computer and it can take the time it needs to come up with better smoother edges.

If it selects too much, just Alt/Option+drag to delete from selection. Upon doing so, Photoshop automatically switches you to the third selection icon, “Subtract from Selection.” Adjusting the brush size and and Alt/Option clicking or dragging will help you refine your selection.

And wa-la! The selection was made with a considerable amount of time saved.