Photoshop query

[chocolate_ee]

I'm using Elements v4.0 to adjust the background on a photo and I wondered if there are any photoshop savvy users out there who can help !
I have a bit of a love/hate thing with the magnetic lasso tool. I have a photo of my son against a grey backdrop which I'm hoping to convert to white by selecting and using enhance/adjust lighting/ levels.
Every time I try to select the area using magnetic lasso it just goes beserk. I know you're supposed to zoom right in to get as close as possible but when I do that , when the frame scrolls down it seems to go wild !!
Also wondered if I'd have to feather the edges a tad ( 5 pixels ?) so that the contrast wasn't quite so stark. On my 10th attempt and I'm about to give up. Think I could use contrast or something if I had Photoshop CS but don't think Elements has that gizmo.
Any suggestions !!??

[bridget.withers]

Can you post a copy of the photo and I will see if I can help. It might be there is not enough difference between the background and the subject to do it that way.

[chocolate_ee]

Thanks Bridegt - will do. When you say post do you mean in the gallery ? I'll try that first.

[bridget.withers]

Thanks Bridegt - will do. When you say post do you mean in the gallery ? I'll try that first.

You can attach the image through this thread by using the Manager Attachments at the bottom.

[chocolate_ee]

Here it is - It's also in my members gallery now. It's quite a small filesize now - I re-sized it to 72 dpi I think ( you can tell I'm a bit of a beginner !!) but I'll also attach it here - only just learned how to do that !

[bridget.withers]

I have had a quick try, Did this by adding a blank layer and then using a white paint brush to paint out the background. Not sure it is that sucessful.

[chocolate_ee]

Good grief - that's brilliant ! Thank you so much. I really appreciate your taking time to do that !
Can you tell me how you managed to do that ?? I'm just getting to grips with photoshop having just completed a 10 week adult eduaction course ( 2 hours a week) and I realise I've only just scratched the surface ! How did you learn all about Photoshop ??

[bridget.withers]

When you open your photo in PS you need to add a new layer, then choose your paintbrush with a round brush about a 9 brush will do. Then using white from your colour pallet paint over the background area you want to change. You need to zoom in close to get the finer ares around the face. You can also change the brush size to make it easier by this area.

Congrats on completing your adult education course and you are right PS is a never ending program. I always wonder if there is anyone who knows everything about it. Each and every time I use it I learn something new, I am completely self taught so I'm sure there will be better ways to do things.

Good luck.

[chocolate_ee]

Thanks a million !
It's been a steep learning curve but I feel like I'm learning all the time. Bit daunted by layers but I'll get ther in the end !
Digital scrapping is my next target - that may have to wait until I'm a bit more proficient !

[papermad]

Lovely photo by the way.