The Pen Tool

The pen tool is the most accurate tool for making selections.  This is the tool professional retouchers use for making selections with precision.

The other selection tools like the magic wand are good for making approximate selections but if you want accuracy you are going to have to learn how to use the pen tool.  I think the fact that it is vector based is what puts many people off.  It is not as straightforward to use at the other tools but once you get used to it you will never look back.  Or so I am told.  

The pen tool group includes the main pen tool, a freeform pen tool and the modifier tool to add, delete or modify the path points.

The pen tool has three operating modes.  When in the Shape Layers mode you can use it to draw with.  If you click on the Path modes button this allows you to create a pen path without adding a fill layer to the document.  

I don't tend to make selections very often in my workflow.  However, I have added becoming more familiar with the pen tool to my list of things I must do.  It is just a matter of finding the time.

I do feel though that from the course I have learnt a lot more about selections and I am feeling more confident in making decisions about which tool to use rather than shying away from it altogether.