One of the most important tools to learn in Photoshop are the selection tools. Selection tools allow you to select certain areas to add tons of effects to

You can you use your selection tools to make TONS of shapes!

The two sets of basic selection tools are found of your toolbar

They are the ones circled below

Right clicking on each of the two selection tool button will reveal even more types of selection tools that fall within that category

basic shapes:

Custom shapes:

The first tool in the basic shape selection tools is the circle selection tool. Right click on the first selection tool button and select the circle tools

Click on your image, hold down your mouse button and drag your mouse across the image. You will see that it makes the outline of a circle as you drag, when you are satisfied with your shape, let go of the mouse button and you will have a selection

Your selection should look like the one below

Now, you can do many thing with your new selection. The most used tools with the selection tool is the "Paint bucket tool" This tool is circled below in red, click on the paint bucket tool

You can now click inside your circle selection to fill it with a desired color.

Here are some more examples of ways to fill your selection:

Paint brush too:

gradient tool:

 

Paint bucket tool:

You can use these 3 tools "circle, square and line" to make many kinds of selections.

Now lets begin to learn about some of the cool features of the selection tools. Right click again on your basic selection tools button the reveal the 4 types of selection tools. Select the Square selection tool

Now, you already know how to make your selection, but you are probably wondering how you can make your "Square Selection" an actual square, instead of a rectangle. To make your selection a perfect square, just hold the shift button while you drag.

Go ahead and try it:

Now, keep your perfect square selection, and get out your circle selection tool

We are now going to learn how to subtract from your current selection. Take out your circle tools, hold the Alt button and drag into your selection, let go of the mouse button and you will see that your new circle selection has subtracted a portion of your square selection.

Now, you know how to subtract from your selection, but what about adding to it?

Well, adding to your selection is just as simple, this time hold the Shift button as you drag into your selection and you will see that it adds adds your new selection to your current one.

Well, there you have it, You now know some of the basics of the selection tool. Please continue to the 2 tutorial to learn more complicated things about the selection tools.