Help with images

I run a site for sports and i am in constant need to make banners and logos and such. Every where i look it seems people can make great banners. The one thing i can not seem to master is the best way to take a picture of lets say a sports player and cut him out of a picture to put him in my picture. Yet so many people seem to know how to do it so well. Everytime i ask someone i get no detail. Just says use the pencil or use the magnet. You seem to have to have the perfect steady hand to do it that way.

Is there anyone who can give me step by step lessons on the best way to take an image out of a picture without all the rough edges and peices of the background that always seeem to follow anytime i try it.

Hell i will pay if need be for some decent instruction

Thanks

Check out this screencast that I put together on the pen tool. This, in my opinion is the best way to extract images from their backgrounds, with the exception of blurry images or crazy frizzy hair.

This is only an introduction, but should give you a good basis on how to use the tool effectively.

Enjoy!

Quicktips for designers - episode 37

the professionals are likely to use a photoshop plug-in as doing this kind of thing by hand is time consuming.

google photoshop plugins or mask plugins

http://www.photoshopmkd.com/

by using alpha channels,duplicate one of the channels in which u can see the brightness of the background and the foreground, and then use brush and set it to overlay to erase the background (using white color) and( reveal the foreground using black).After it ,load the channels and go to the layer and delete.. I wish i could demonstrate with the image so it would be easier to understand

I am new here so I hope this is allowed.
I have been watching video tutorials about photoshop at Lynda.com.
They are great! I have learned sooooo much. It's only $25/month to watch all of the videos you want. I am presently watching one on masking and selection...just what you are looking for. Check it out

Select all -> Copy or cut via layer -> Eraser with soft edge.

Pen Tool is always better, but as they say not with hair etc.

Magnetic Lasso works well - but remember to feather...

Enjoy...