Acquiring a good mask

[DaMasta]

I know to switch background, you need to create a mask. However, if you have a picture like this (http://www.averytooley.com/stereo/media/1/20041226-Reggie%20White.jpg), I find it near impossible to get a good mask due to the tons of background colors. Now I've read the how-to at good-tutorials on creating a mask and of course their example is an easy one to do with lots of contrast and not alot of colors. Decomposing the pic still gives many differents shades. Using the magic wand generally wants to lasso parts of the player's body. Reducing the threshhold makes it too specific. Am I missing a step somewhere?

[tiggs_the_cat]

You could always try Siox in one of the unstable versions of GIMP. Unless I miss understood your post and that is what you were trying. Or another solution is by do it with a layer mask and painting out the portions you do not want. It takes longer but sometimes it is the best solution.

[Jolva]

yeah. I'd second the motion to paint out the background on an image that's giving you that much trouble. Yet another reason to buy a Wacom tablet. :D