Clipping Path- most essential technique for Design tasks!!

Clipping path- some are scared about this!!! To some designers- it is another name of pain. Just like to deny this!! But there is nothing to hate this Clipping path. If you can adopt the technique, I am sure- you are going to love it!! Believe me 
If you are hearing the word for first time- then I must inform you that, to clip out any object or area from the rest of the image background, it is a technique where a vector path is drawn around the area to be clipped. Area within the path is taken and rests are made transparent.
This tutorial is specially written for Mac users. Command for Windows users are also added in brackets.
Now we will start with an image that has hard edges. Avoid hairy images that have no sharp edges and need masking to clip out. As a first time we will experiment with an easy one. 

• Open the Image with photoshop. There are many tools to have some short cut and quick Clipping. Described in brief:
 Magic Wand tool: It is a time saving magical tool!! You can try it for simple, personal use images. But the output is not as perfect as you desire.
 Polygonal lasso tool: Perfect for square or straight shaped images.
 Lasso tool: It is a quick way, but need a good practice. Your hand will shack for the very first time.
 Magnetic lasso tool: You can try it, but not every time you will get the acquire result.

Well, now you are confused??!!! ;) Which one to choose for Clipping then??
The best answer is- Manually drawn Path by Pen tool.
What is needed to get the best result is- Perfect eye, Pen Tool, lots of patience, Practice, practice and practice!! Got it?






To clip using the Pen tool, first it is important to zoom in the image. So, You will not miss any single pixel. 300% zoom is best.
Create a new path. It will be first work path. We will save it as clipping path.
Now selecting the pen tool, start from any corner of the image object to be clipped and drag and click toward the image outer line. It is a good practice to go clock wise.
For straight line, place points pressing CMD+Click (ctrl+Click).
To move the line press OPT+Click (Alt+Click).
To add an extra point in the middle, drag mouse over the line until + sign is shown and then click to add.
Repeat the process until you are back to the starting point.
Curved line: It is better to set points in two sides rather than one between the curve sections.
Insides: There are lot insides in images. Like-background seen between the hands or legs for a people image. A new path to start again for that inside areas.
Once you are done with your Path, save your path giving a name in the pop-up options.
To check- Select Load path as a selection option.
Invert by pressing CMD+Shift+I and fill the area with a color on a new layer,
If you feel need to edit, go back and modify your path.
When you are fully satisfied with your path, save it as ‘Clipping path’. Give the flatness very less value.
Now you can use this path again and again to make selection. This can be used in InDesign for text wrapping, Layering, drop shadows and many more.
Keep practicing, have patience and be a clipping expert!! All the best!!