If you want the sharpest selections possible, use the Pen tool (P), especially when you need to select curves. Most people struggle to make curves with the Pen tool, but it does get easier with practice. Here’s a little trick that really helps me make nice paths: When you want to change direction, or make a sharp point, after you click and start dragging to add another point to the path, hold down the Option (PC: Alt) key, and drag the handle in the opposite direction. When you release the Option (PC: Alt) key you’ll notice the path is now curving the opposite way. If you hold down the Spacebar while drawing your path, you can reposition the current point as you’re dragging. To undo the last point, press the Delete (PC: Backspace) key.
This tip originally published in Colin Smith’s “Photoshop Tips” column in the May, 2023 issue of Photoshop User magazine.
