HELP I need masking plug ins/software Any advice?

[avis]

Hi

I am fairly new to Photoshop (CS3) and am taking classes but I am finding that with my own work I have difficult situations when trying to remove or change a background on my photos. You know, hair, trees, those things that just defy you from marking around them and in between them and getting a professional look. I am going bald trying to get my son out of a messy background and into a plain softly colored background. His hair gets cut off, edges of his body insist on attaching themselves to the background, etc.

I have noticed some software online that supposedly makes masking/layers easy. Hah!? Can anyone tell me if there really is some good software that can help me with my masking traumas so that I can get a clean, professional looking masking separation? Right now I just want to throw the whole thing out the window.

Thanks in advance
Avis

 

[Nomission]

That's the trickiest job in PS, it all depends on the level extraction needed.
I know at least five or six ways to extract a picture from it's background.
Do a google search on "photoshop background eraser" and you'll be amazed.
BTW, close the window, you have a lot of work in front of you.

 

[Panico]

There is not a single piece plugin or single Photoshop technique that is the golden solution to everything. It's very simple; learn as many different extraction techniques possible. Don't use third party plugins, they are just a waste of your money....sigh