My selection efforts are not working well

[Kyle76]

I'm trying to create a mask in a mask layer.  I started with the smart selection brush tool and then tried to refine the edges of the selection with the refine selection tool, but it did not produce the clean result that I was seeking, even in some areas where the background and foreground are notably different.  There is a baby in the foreground that I am trying to select, but the hair areas and some other areas are just not working.

[stokerg]

Hi Kyle76,

Without the image in question, it's hard to advise.  If you could the .afphoto file you have, i can look into this further.  If you'd rather not attach the picture on the forum, please use this Dropbox link and the file will be deleted when the issue has been looked at  

[Kyle76]

Thanks. I’ll be glad to upload to Dropbox, but I’m not even sure how to so that. In what format do I export my project?

[Kyle76]

I have uploaded the original file that I’m working on. I’d like to select the baby as the foreground and blur the background for a bokeh effect (can the blurring be done in a gradient so that the top of the photo (farther from the subject) is blurrier than the lower portion?  Thanks for your help. I have tried following a tutorial for workflow, but it doesn’t seem to be working as the tutorial described. 

[Paul Mudditt]

Without seeing your file, the most common mistake when making a selection is not ensuring you have the correct pixel layer selected, perhaps a mask layer is selected.

[Kyle76]

Thanks. I am following a tutorial that calls for selecting from the mask layer, unless I somehow got my notes wrong. 

[DM1]

If it is not an Affinity tutorial I'd try selecting from the pixel layer as Paul suggests. Masks work a little differently in Affinity to say, PS.

[Kyle76]

I’ll try it differently. Thanks.