Noob Photoshop Question

[Dr. Doctor (inactive)]

(Just a preface: I have to use Keynote at my school for slapdash graphics work, so a lot of the terms I use are likely more connected to that than Photoshop, so bear with me! ^^")

In Photoshop, how can I select and cut a bit out of a picture or mask a layer according to custom boundaries (i.e., masking a single person's body out of a picture)?

 

[[R]eMix]

You can use the Magic Wand Tool or Quick Selection Tool (w key may be the shortcut) to select items quickly, or use one of the Lasso Tools (L key may be the shortcut) to get a more precise selection. Once the object is selected you can do whatever you want with it (cut/copy/mask...etc)

 

[Dr. Doctor (inactive)]

Thanks! One more question:

How would I go about arranging four images in a grid-like shape with the edges cross-fading into one another?

 

[Narh]

Arrange the images you want in the order you want, so they overlap. then erase the overlapping edges with a feather brush.

 

[VP :3]

To aid with the question of getting a specific object out, the pen tool is a good one. Use it to mark dots around the object/person you want, then connect the end to the beginning circle. Right click inside and click 'Make Selection' and you can apply a feather radius and anti aliasing. This is my go-to method as a personal preference for things like this.