Selections and masks are subtly different, and the ‘parametric’ masks in non-destructive editors give more flexibility than ever.
Magnetic Lasso
This is a variation of the regular freehand Lasso selection tool, but as you move the mouse pointer, the selection tries to 'stick' to nearby object outlines. It can be an effective way to select objects with clear outlines and tones that contrast against their surroundings, but it's not especially reliable nor very easy to use.