Stacked Threshold Masking (using Affinity Photo)

One way of creating a mask is by using the Threshold adjustment to find a point where foreground and background are separated. But this does not always work out. So here's a way of using multiple Threshold adjustments to build up the complete mask you need.
Note: If the selection you make has an edge that is too hard, simply add a very small blur to the mask.
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[@selenitafm]

Very useful thanks I will try it

[@wicker1234]

Merry Christmas. You're still the most useful channel for unique short tips!

[@ynotpeanutbutter]

This is exactely what I've been looking for. Thank you so much. If I could I would like it more than once.

[@RonK]

awesome, thank you

[@missmutification]

Your Chanell is realy a little gem. Thank you very much for the effort you put in it for us. Merry Christmas.

[@inaffinityforaffinityphoto3220]

Thanks, Andreas. Merry Christmas also to you and yours.

[@LeeRaldar]

Excellent method thanks.

[@TomSwovick]

Thx so much ... I had taken a low angle shot of the Eiffel Tower with (an almost) totally washed out sky ... I wanted to put in a different sky but all the lattice work was just impossible... this worked like a dream (using affinity for iPad)

[@vinr]

Very helpful and something new

[@grailz]

Very useful. Thanks!

[@JohnCollins-iy1pw]

Another way of deleting a adjustment or layer,is to have that adjustment or layer highlighted and point at the dustbin to the bottom right.That removes it in the same way as deleting (I think).Would be interested in your interpretation of the new (1.7) levels which now includes output black and white.Have a great Christmas and New year.

[@inaffinityforaffinityphoto3220]

Hi John. Yes, clicking the dustbin works too. You can also drag the layer to the dustbin (or perhaps 'trash can' in the USA). I'll take a look at the new Levels. Thanks for the nudge.

[@jezebabe]

Very useful and almost exactly what I needed. A common issue I have is when trying to print a scanned or photographed image where the white background of the paper is not evenly lit. The issue is trying to make the white parts effectively turn into "background" so that the printer doesn't try to print some kind of off-white colour instead of just leaving the paper blank. I have just managed to use this stacked threshold technique to do that, although I wonder if you have a better technique to do this? (I have used levels adjustments previously but with not so good results). Thanks again!

[@inaffinityforaffinityphoto3220]

There's quite a few videos on selection you can try...

[@raysmith2940]

I don't get the drop down menu for merge visible. Any help appreciated. This is what I've been looking for.

[@inaffinityforaffinityphoto3220]

Merge Visible is under Layers.

[@ralfkrumm5857]

Thanks for this video. Though I've seen almost every video of you, this one was unknown to me. I've searched the whole internet for a solution to exclude water splash in a lake. Maybe you can do another video because this video shows how to extract part of a landscape. But by water splashes you have the drops also in the lake respectively over the background. And with a pencil this is too fumbling

[@inaffinityforaffinityphoto3220]

Could you explain a little more about water splashes and the problem with these. Is it for example about blown out specular highlights or something else?

[@ralfkrumm5857]

@@inaffinityforaffinityphoto3220 When you thrown a stone into a lake you see that water splash. But you have the splashes in the lake and in the background (trees etc.) For example the link of a stock photo: www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-big-water-splash-lake-image13291458 - Now I want to extract only the splash, copy it and paste it in a new picture/layer to do a composite

[@mtntopviking]

Love your tutorials! Thank you!