There are so many ways you can make selections in Photoshop. The trick is getting to know them all so that you can choose the quickest and easiest method for a particular photo.
Channels Adobe Photoshop / Text Effects
This is how you get the 3D look using channels. By creating a bump map and transfering it to an alpha channel, unexpected results can follow.
Using the Lens Blur Filter Adobe Photoshop / Photo Retouch
This free Photoshop video tutorial will teach you how to mimic depth of field effects using Photoshop CS's new filter called Lens Blur. You will be learning the usage of the lens blur filter, creating alpha channels with the quick channel 101, drawing inside the alpha channels, selecting and filling color in the alpha channels.