About background removal.

[eastbound]

Hello, I have recently been following some tutorials about background removals.
The tools I have been using for that are, pen tool, refine edge from selection or layer mask and the background eraser tool.
I have been practicing on images with both solid and complicated backgrounds from different resolutions.
But I never get it truly the way I want it. If I put a black background behind it I usually see spots that need to be cleaned up.
I want to become really good at this. Any advice on the best way to clean up these images? Or any other constructive criticism?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Eggy]

Hair and fur are most definitely the most difficult things to cut out.
But you need to go further then only trying to cut out but do some post processing work on it.
Have a look here:

 

[eastbound]

That video was helpful thanks. I'm going to give it another try and upload it here.

 

[IamSam]

Take a look at some of these. This is an accumulation of some of the better techniques/tutorials for background removal. Really invest some time with the Alpha or Channel selection tutorials.

Refine edge:

http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/refine-edge/refine-edge.htm

http://planetphotoshop.com/using-refine-edge.html


Complex selections:

http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/making-complex-selections-1--psd-22705

http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/making-complex-selections-2--psd-22714


Removing white backgrounds:

http://www.photoshopbuzz.com/removing-background-photoshop/


Channel Selection:

http://planetphotoshop.com/masking-with-channels-2.html

http://planetphotoshop.com/using-channels-to-make-better-selections-in-adobe-photoshop.html

http://phlearn.com/separate-parts-of-your-image-with-photoshop-channels

http://layersmagazine.com/planet-photoshop-masking-with-channels.html

http://planetphotoshop.com/masking-with-channels.html

Calculations: