Photoshop Selection Question

[farleypig]

Need a little help.
I photograph figurines and waterglobes and prepare them for the web - including deleting the backdrops. I am using the magic wand tool to select/ delete background glass and fabric - and changing my tolerance based on the differences in tone between the foreground and background. I can get very close, but sometimes I am still getting a fuzz of color - especially on the very light toned or white objects. Had to photo something with little fake ostrich feathers and wow - that is a bitch. those feathers were desperately clinging to the red in the backdrop.
Basically, anyone know a better way for clean selection? I have tried duping my background layer and setting the contrast really high in order to save a good selection. still doesn't work.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[comahead]

Ive used the polygonal lasso tool for simular Issues that your describing.It allows for more control at times that the magic wand

[farleypig]

I end up using the polygon lasso too much - in the sense that i shoot hundreds of photos and each of the figurines inside the globes are incredibly intricate cutting around each makes my eyes bleed. It does work a lot better - just trying to not rely on it since it can take so much time. i do need to learn how to use the magnetic better

[micro]

clipping path.

[VonDada]

Pen tool>Make Selection>

Or, if you are doing the Magic Lasso or Magnetic tool you can get closer by:

Select>Modify>Expand and then choose the pixel expansion that looks the best.

Or, if you do that and get close enough to our liking, then switch it back to a Work Path and then make a Mask that covers the background.

[Steve Chanks]

if the art allows, I will drop a Levels Adjustment Layer on top and alter the image to get a stronger separation of background and object than make my selection from there.

[micro]

you could also try this.
Snap

plus the dozen other masking plugins around..

[farleypig]

thank yall so much! I will try all of these today and see which works best - and give my verdict since i can't be the only one out there working on Precious Moments and Gone with the Wind waterglobes.

[Hrabovsky]

Quick Mask. Using a new Channel to 'paint' the selection.
Blah blah blah...

[B-DROID]

Quick Mask. Using a new Channel to 'paint' the selection.
Blah blah blah...

Yeah, use the magnetic lasso tool to get it close then bump over to quick mask mode and add / erase to your liking. Pretty quick.