First try BG Noise reduction with PSE.

[Ian McHenry]

Here is a recent image before application of BG noise reduction.
Ian McHenry

[Ian McHenry]

Same shot using Selection Brush.
Workflow
Enlarged, Selection Brush, set on Mask @ 15% hardness.
Shaded in bird, Saved selection,
Applied Gaussian Blur @ 3.0.
Deselected.
Slight sharpening.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
Ian Mc

[Alfred Forns]

Working well Ian !!! Excellent.

Will leave this a few days here and then move to Educational Resources !!!

I use a program that probably is doing the same thing or works in the same way. PhotoKit Sharpener has different brushes, one is a softening brush which I use for reducing bg noise. I like using plug ins that simplify my workflow but I'm a firm believer in knowing how to do it manually !!! Highly recommend for all to try !!!! Thanks Ian !!!

[Ian McHenry]

Thanks Alfred
Couple of points for direction please.
1. Is it better to paint over the edges of the subject to prevent creeping blur from blur application?
2. General guidelines as to mask hardness for best subject edge detail ie this was 15% would say 10% or 30% give better result?
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

In reply to one of my own questions 1) above.
No. Painting over the edges of subject leaves artefacts.
However Gaussian Blur @ 5.0 looks like a good option.
Ian Mc