Hey Guys n Girls

Is Extract the best way to make intricate selections, such as whispy hair and posed, clothed figures?

I played with all selection tools and they all seem a little hit and miss.

I need to isolate a figure from its background and to its own layer. Once a make the selection I know i can save selection to a layer.  But that making of the selection in the first place is escaping me.

At best I get a scrappy, untidy looking selection.  Although, to date the easiest way to get to this point has been the Extraction filter tool....

Help!

stefani aka drky