PHOTOSHOP
TIP: for making difficult selections.
if you want to make a complex selection against the sky using the magic wand, (eg tree with leaves against sky) go to channels, and view the channel that has the greatest contrast between the things you want to select, and make your selection. after, go back to normal colour mode.
brush tip:
you know that annoying (and sometimes useful) thing that happens sometimes when using any form of brush tool where the cursor does not show the size, just a little crosshair.... caps lock is the trick.