Cropping irregular shapes – PS Elements 6.0

Cropping irregular shapes
Can someone out there help with what I’m sure is a simple task for those who know Photo Shop -obviously, by my asking the question, I do not.
I have a newspaper article that was scanned and then given to me. I want to manipulate in Photo Shop prior to including it in a slide show. The article headline is 5 columns wide. The desired article beneath is 3 columns wide with the other two columns filed with advertisements and other undesirable material. I am wanting to "crop out" or eliminate those adjoining "undesirable" columns. I cannot do it by using the standard cropping tool – at least with my knowledge. Help, please, I know this should be an easy task for those in the know – unfortunately I am not such a person.

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:33:45 GMT, "Duane Lee" wrote:

Cropping irregular shapes
Can someone out there help with what I’m sure is a simple task for those who know Photo Shop -obviously, by my asking the question, I do not.
I have a newspaper article that was scanned and then given to me. I want to manipulate in Photo Shop prior to including it in a slide show. The article headline is 5 columns wide. The desired article beneath is 3 columns wide with the other two columns filed with advertisements and other undesirable material. I am wanting to "crop out" or eliminate those adjoining "undesirable" columns. I cannot do it by using the standard cropping tool – at least with my knowledge. Help, please, I know this should be an easy task for those in the know – unfortunately I am not such a person.

This is as easy as
Opening the Image
markig what you want to keep
Shft/Ctrl/I (Inverse Selection)
and Delete.

Opening the image and follow up with 3 steps.
If it is a common selection, less than 1 sec. thus.

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:43:12 +0200, Dave wrote:

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:33:45 GMT, "Duane Lee" wrote:

Cropping irregular shapes
Can someone out there help with what I’m sure is a simple task for those who know Photo Shop -obviously, by my asking the question, I do not.
I have a newspaper article that was scanned and then given to me. I want to manipulate in Photo Shop prior to including it in a slide show. The article headline is 5 columns wide. The desired article beneath is 3 columns wide with the other two columns filed with advertisements and other undesirable material. I am wanting to "crop out" or eliminate those adjoining "undesirable" columns. I cannot do it by using the standard cropping tool – at least with my knowledge. Help, please, I know this should be an easy task for those in the know – unfortunately I am not such a person.

This is as easy as
Opening the Image
markig what you want to keep
Shft/Ctrl/I (Inverse Selection)
and Delete.

Opening the image and follow up with 3 steps.
If it is a common selection, less than 1 sec. thus.

Maybe I should have explained
‘marking what you to keep’ by using the Lasso tool
2 icons higher than the crop tool on CS3’s Tool Bar

that white area so that I looks like I took a pair of scissors and cut out the article prior to scanning it?

Dave thanks for your help – I’m half way there.
I have followed your instructions and yes have eliminated the unwanted material. I have saved the file and when I view it I now have a "white" space in the area that had the unwanted material. Can you help me remove that white area so that I looks like I took a pair of scissors and cut out the article prior to scanning it?
Thanks,
Duane

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:47:22 GMT, "Duane Lee" wrote:

Dave thanks for your help – I’m half way there.
I have followed your instructions and yes have eliminated the unwanted material. I have saved the file and when I view it I now have a "white" space in the area that had the unwanted material. Can you help me remove that white area so that I looks like I took a pair of scissors and cut out the article prior to scanning it?
Thanks,
Duane

It is a pleasure Duane.
I do not have Elements installedl, but are using CS3.
Do you have the Background Eraser Tool on Elements?
If yes, that is what to use.

#3 In a group there is always one that "stands out" – in this group that person – is you – Dave. Please look at all the postings once again- EVERYONE has tried to help – EXCEPT YOU, DAVE. Obviously, you are different from the rest of this group – you seem to receive your pleasure from berating others – rather than helping. You have made it very clear of the fact that you lack empathy (quite possibly intelligence, as well ). I know that you never thought to ask, "do you know that you are "top posting" and then try to offer something positive and constructive enabling me to correct it..