> To extract wispy hair right you'll need a plug-in
> program such as Knock Out 2.

I disagree. To do it right you'll need patience. Knockout and other such
masking programs don't do any magic, and they cost quite a lot (see
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005R7YY/newwriting/). All they really
do is allow you to select a color range to knock out (or something similar to
that). I've never used a program that doesn't make a mask I have to adjust. If
you see areas of the image that are over the type of background that are easy
to extract, I'd learn to use either Extract or Blend If (I prefer the latter)
and save the cost. What I'd be more likely to do is some careful manual
masking, and perhaps trim wispy hair.

Most images not taken specifically with the purpose of cutting the hair from
the background will prove difficult or very difficult to extract -- no matter
what you use. Learn to create manual masks either using alpha channels or via
Quick Mask. Don't be afraid to adjust those masks.

There is a tutorial on ps6.com for using the Extract tool...you might check it
out to learn more about it. Personally I more often will use a manual masking.

Richard Lynch
http://hiddenelements.com
http://ps6.com