Extracting images

Reverenddevil

Ok, usually I am good with extracting things in photoshop using the pen or lasso tool etc. I am curious as to the way most people extract images for texturing like leaves and bushes etc? I tried the extract tool and get crap results. I use the magic wand with thresholds set etc and get crap results. I tried using a way in a tutorial using the channels and cant get what I want. Does anyone have any suggestions of what you use? I am trying to get the palm tree leaf from its background and fialing miserably. Thanks..

Neox

the new magic wand thingie is kinda cool some times but normally i just add a very colorful layer beneath what needs to be extracted and use a layermask to erase what i don't want to see

Kawe

I think it depends entirely on the subject... and what you feel like doing. If everything else fails you can make a quick selection with lasso tool and then going quick mask and painting out the stuff could work depending on the subject.

Try uploading the image and see what people come up with

Reverenddevil

Here it is.

benclark

If you don't have to use that specific image, try using these......

http://www.autographfoliages.com/product_pages/ne_branches.html

they're a lot easier to seperate and theres a good variety in there

Reverenddevil

Umm, where were before Ben haha??. They are pretty large files too. Thank you very much.

kio

benclark these are pretty awsome - thankies for the link.

AnimeAngel

Those are pretty nice, thanks ben.
For the picture you posted Reverenddevil I would start with a magic wand to remove the easy pieces and the use a quick mask. Then you can simply paint out the unwanted pieces, with black or white, and just be left with the desired result.