OK here we go.... just as I would do this.

I'm clicking ... then Shift Clicking in case you didn't know that

Shift Control + I to invert the selection

Control + D to deselect

Paint in Overlay mode,,, I'll demonstrate the effect it gives

Overylay when painting in black... leaves 100% white alone.

Opposite for white on 100% black

so it will paint away the imperfect areas that are presently gray.

That said....

Obviously it 'harshes' the transitions and edges of the 'mask'.

sooooo don't paint too close to the edges and for stuff like hair or
fog, you can use a soft brush.   For cars or letters... hard is fine...
just watch where you are going.

ALT + Left Click on mouse to make the brush bigger & smaller

left mouse click and right & left for size.... up and down for softness

One more levels adjustment to 'harden' the edge (increasing the contrast)

tah-dah  \o/
Control + Click that thumbnail to select.

Painting in Softlight mode does basically the same thing as painting in overlay...
.... but it's less of an effect (softer)


Something else you can do if you aren't satisfied.

I don't think any of that makes it better.

This one should be easy.

eyedropper makes whatever you click on 'white'
Caution... it also resets the colors in the the selector


What I usually do (to make it easy [Like my EX]) . . .
I pick a medium gray... then keep selecting something I can see (but light).... till everything is
white or black, depending on where I'm working.

oh poop... I thought I duplicated that.... probably cause it was in 'index color'
it didn't work.

OK, I don't know what's going on now... but I'll just do it again  :P




tah-dah  \o/

Anything else you want me to show you while you are here?

i just want to copy text so i can follow up later on