How do I selectively sharpen with cluttered background?

[smitty1960]

I hope this is the correct forum to ask this question. I'll admit that as a novice phototgrapher, my photo skills are improving, but my editing skills need a lot of work. I use PhotoShop Elements (PSE) 10 and until recently, I would sharpen the entire image. Then someone gave me instructions on how to select just the aircraft, and sharpen it, leaving the background alone. That works great when I have a "blue sky" shot where there's nothing but the plane in the shot. Well-panned shots where the background is blurry aren't so much a problem as it's relatively easy to deselect the background in large chunks. But for low level passes or ground shots shot at a high shutter speed where there's a lot of background clutter (foliage is the absolute worst), it's a nightmare to de-select items because I'd have to de-select every branch and leaf, wire, fence post, etc. Very very time consuming. Can someone please give me step-by-step instructions on how to select/de-select large (cluttered) background areas at a time, so I can isolate just the plane? Keep in mind, that if it involves using "layers", I'll need guidelines for that step(s) as well as I've never messed with them before.
Smitty

[Pancake]

Hi Smitty,
The best way is using the magnetic lasso.
For a lot of info about it, search (google) for a tutorial. I'm not to lazy to tell you, but i'm shore it's more easy and better than a big story.
Regards,
Johan

[smitty1960]

Thanks Johan, I'll look that up.

Johan, I just tried this "new" trick, and is saved me about 3/4 of the time it usually does. Thank you for the great advice.

[Iwan Bogels]

I would say:

1. Dublicate layer
2. Sharpen top layer
3. Apply mask
4. "paint" the area's in the mask which you would like to sharpen

That way you can apply the sharpening to the exact area's that you like, and even regulate the amount of sharpening at each individual area.

Good luck,
Iwan

[smitty1960]

Thanks for the tip Iwan. I'm using the Magnetic Lasso that Johan suggested. Your way probably works well too, but sounds too complicated. I'm sure it's easy once you know how. I'll give it a try when I have (a lot) more patience.

[Iwan Bogels]

No problem, just use the method that work best / easiest for you. It's the result that counts, not the method.

Cheers,
Iwan