So I have to make some product thumbnails right? Only thing is that the boss didn't spring for an actual photographer and lightbox setup. Instead he simply put this big ass plank on a couple folding tables and opened the shipping bay doors.

Is there a good way to get only the plank from this pic (6MB full size version)?

I tried a channel mask but the grey of the bark and the grey of the table and cement floor seem too close. What I finally did was to pen tool much of it and then went in and painted the mask. In thumbnail view it sufficed but large view not so much. Oh and I did color correct (curves, levels, etc.). But that stuff is not in the posted photo.

I'm sure someone else may have an easier way to extract it, but I would just paint the mask itself (as you've done already - just take the time to do it right).
You have full control over what gets masked out and you can soften/harden your brush as needed.

My dos pesos.

Try...
1 Levels adjustment layer
- Blow out the highlights
- Darken the Mids
This will give you a better edge to go by

2 Quick Selection tool
-select close to edges

3 Refine Edge... to preference

4 Add layer mask or Control J to cut selection to new layer.

Quick selection tool + Lasso tool + black or white brush on the mask
Mask refine (feather, contract)
Inspect the edges for color bleeding, chromatic aberration, odd artifacts etc.
2-3 minutes tops

http://www.box.net/shared/z07ibfeap6

Just use the pen tool you lazy old fart!
Make a path with the pen tool. 1 min
You dont have to worry about extra stuff or left overs. Pen tool is the most accurate way of selecting any hard edge item.
Not good for hair, clouds, fur, etc.
If the item has edges that are out of focus you can always feather or blur the selection you make from the pen tool. Why are people afraid of the pen tool? It is such a precise and powerful thing.

Touche'

Yeah...1 minute... if you have experience with the pen tool.

*!*

The issue I was having is at the background edges where it's blurred and also on the rough bark edges. I have another plank that's got bark on two edges and that one's kinda like hair in one spot (hence the attempt at a channel mask).

just recently tried the pen tool... I didn't realize it was the bezier style like Quark Express was... Really is nice for precision

is it that hard?
i thought pen tools are friendly enough.
and i'm not a masking selection fan. i used them but not often.
pen tools are really² accurate!

on the 10th to 11th pictures,
if pen tool really pissed me off by getting some unwanted
i can always delete it using eraser.
or if the edges is something hairy i would smudge it.

I tried using the magic wand, but I think it's broken

[quote="Grefix"]I tried using the magic wand, but I think it's broken

Bwaaahahaha!
I used sharpen tool over and over and here's what left

I think I used the wrong pen tool