Few tools are as feminine as the Feather option, and we mean that in the most wonderful of ways. For nestled snugly within the Selection menu, it has the power to make all things soft. Well, that is, all selections. No matter which selection tool you choose, the Feather option instantly softens its sides by the number of pixels you specify. The higher the number, the more gradual the fade, or degree of resulting "softness". The fewer, the more abrupt the edge will be.
This tutorial demonstrates how to make a true Photoshop mask using the selection brush. For those that like masking versus the marching ants, this tutorial provides an alternative for selecting your objects. Skill level 4 out of 10.