11 Shortcuts to Remove Background in One Click! - Photoshop Tutorial

This tutorial video provides an in-depth guide on various techniques and shortcuts for background removal in Photoshop. It covers the use of the 'remove background' button, the flexibility and accuracy of Photoshop for professional needs, and the creation of actions for automating the process. The video introduces different methods for different situations, such as using color range selection, dealing with high contrast scenarios, and refining hair edges. It also discusses the use of blend modes like multiply and screen to address halos around subjects and includes a segment on batch processing for handling multiple images. The presenter emphasizes the importance of understanding concepts over memorizing steps and offers free resources for further learning.

Takeaways

• 🎨 **One-Click Background Removal:** Photoshop has a secret button that can remove the background with a single click, which is especially useful for e-commerce where multiple images need background removal.
• 🌟 **Hue Saturation Adjustment:** A hue saturation adjustment layer can be used to target and remove specific colors, like greens, from the image, creating a clean subject separation.
• 🔍 **Select and Mask Tool:** The select and mask tool is crucial for refining edges in more complex images where simple selection tools fall short.
• 📸 **Photoshop's Versatility:** Photoshop offers flexibility and accuracy necessary for professionals, allowing modifications and various techniques to match subjects with backgrounds.
• ⏏️ **Batch Processing:** For removing backgrounds from numerous images, Photoshop can automate the process through actions and droplets, saving significant time and effort.
• 🔗 **Actions and Shortcuts:** Recording actions in Photoshop allows users to create shortcuts for repetitive tasks, streamlining the editing process.
• 🖌️ **Refine Hair Feature:** Newer versions of Photoshop include a 'refine hair' feature in the select and mask tool for better edge detection around complex hair or fur.
• 📂 **Smart Radius:** Using the smart radius feature can help smooth out rough edges after using the select and mask tool, creating a more natural and clean subject outline.
• 🎭 **Blend Modes for Contrast:** Multiply and screen blend modes can be used to manage halos in high-contrast images, darkening or lightening the subject to better match the background.
• 🔵 **Color Range for Specific Backgrounds:** The color range tool is effective for images with backgrounds of a solid color, allowing for quick and easy background removal.
• 🔧 **Pixel Perfect Compositing Plugin:** Third-party plugins like Pixel Perfect can simplify the compositing process, offering automated tools that integrate with Photoshop for more efficient editing.

Q & A

What is the secret button that can remove the background in Photoshop with just one click?

The secret button referred to in the script is the 'Remove Background' button found in the properties panel. However, this button only appears when a layer is unlocked.

How can you take advantage of a green background in Photoshop to remove it?

You can use the 'Select and Mask' feature and tell Photoshop to remove the greens by using a color range selection, which targets and removes the green color from the image.

What is the benefit of using a secret program for e-commerce to remove backgrounds from a bunch of images?

The benefit is that you can drag and drop images into the secret program, and it will automatically export your images with all the backgrounds removed, saving time and effort.

How can you create an action in Photoshop to automate the background removal process?

You start by recording an action, select one of the selection tools (Object Selection, Quick Selection, or Magic Wand), use the 'Select Subject' feature, and then click on the 'Mask' button to perform the selection masking. Once recorded, you can play this action on other images to automate the process.

What is the purpose of the 'Smart Radius' feature in the 'Select and Mask' tool?

The 'Smart Radius' feature helps to refine the edges of a selection by smoothing out hard edges and preserving important details, making the selection appear more natural and less artificial.

How can you save time when removing backgrounds from multiple images with similar characteristics?

You can create a custom action that includes the steps for background removal tailored to the specific characteristics of those images. Then, you can apply this action to a batch of images to automate the process.

What is the 'Refine Hair' feature in the 'Select and Mask' tool?

The 'Refine Hair' feature is a tool within the 'Select and Mask' dialog box that helps to improve the selection and masking of fine details such as hair or fur, making it easier to separate the subject from the background.

How can you remove color halos that sometimes appear around the edges of a subject after using the 'Select and Mask' tool?

You can use the 'Decontaminate Colors' option found in the 'Select and Mask' dialog box. This feature extends the image while keeping the mask the same, effectively reducing or eliminating color halos.

What is the 'Pixel Perfect Compositing' plugin and how does it simplify the masking process in Photoshop?

The 'Pixel Perfect Compositing' plugin is an Adobe approved tool that simplifies the masking process by providing easy-to-use buttons and features for tasks such as removing halos, selecting colors, and selecting subjects. It integrates with Photoshop to streamline the compositing workflow.

How can you use blend modes like 'Multiply' and 'Screen' to deal with high contrast backgrounds?

You can use the 'Multiply' blend mode to darken the subject and remove halos when the hair or fur is dark and the background is bright. Conversely, use the 'Screen' blend mode when the background is dark, and the subject is light to achieve a similar effect.

What is batch processing in Photoshop and how can it be used to remove backgrounds from a large number of images?

Batch processing is a feature in Photoshop that allows you to apply an action to multiple files automatically. You can use this feature to create a droplet that processes and saves images with removed backgrounds without the need to open each image individually.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Photoshop Background Removal Techniques

This paragraph introduces various methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop. It emphasizes the flexibility and accuracy needed for professional work, and the use of 'remove background' button once a layer is unlocked. The paragraph also discusses creating actions to automate the process, using selection tools, and refining the mask with 'select and mask' and 'smart radius'. It mentions an action called 'pix, background removal' available for download and how to assign shortcuts for efficiency. The importance of understanding the subject-background separation based on color or contrast is highlighted, with examples provided to illustrate the process.

05:01

🔍 Advanced Selection Techniques and Actions

The second paragraph delves into advanced selection techniques, such as 'select and mask' with smart radius adjustments and 'refine hair' for better edge detailing. It also covers the creation of custom actions to handle specific image scenarios, including the decontaminate colors feature to clean up halos around selections. The paragraph further explains how to automate the process for images with color-separated subjects using 'select color range' and refining the mask with 'select and similar' and 'smart radius'. The use of hue/saturation adjustment layers to target and remove specific colors from the edges is also discussed.

10:02

🌈 Automating Color-Specific Background Removal

This paragraph focuses on automating the background removal process for images with a consistent background color. It explains how to use 'select color range' with a predefined fuzziness level and 'select similar' to cover all areas of the background color. The paragraph details the creation of an action that includes the use of 'smart radius' to soften edges and the application of a hue/saturation adjustment layer clipped to the subject layer to remove unwanted colors. It also touches on the possibility of fully automating the color selection process if the background color is known in advance.

15:04

📸 High Contrast Background Removal Strategies

The fourth paragraph addresses the challenge of removing backgrounds from high contrast images. It describes how the 'multiply' blend mode can be used to correct halos that appear around subjects with dark hair against a bright background. The paragraph also covers how to adjust the blend mode to 'normal' for certain areas to prevent the background texture from showing through. It introduces an action specifically designed for high contrast situations and mentions the use of the Pixel Perfect compositing plugin for a simplified process. The paragraph concludes with alternative blend modes like 'screen' for opposite scenarios and the creation of actions to handle different contrast situations without the need for manual masking.

20:06

🏢 Batch Processing for Mass Background Removal

The final paragraph introduces batch processing in Photoshop for removing backgrounds from a large number of images efficiently. It explains how to modify an existing action to include the saving process and create a droplet for automated processing. The paragraph outlines the steps to set up the droplet, including naming conventions and file format choices. It also mentions the utility of batch processing in scenarios beyond background removal, such as inserting names into a design template for mass production. The paragraph concludes with encouragement to understand the concepts of Photoshop rather than memorizing steps and directs viewers to free resources for learning the software.

Keywords

Remove Background

The process of eliminating the backdrop of an image to isolate the main subject, which is the primary focus of the video. It is achieved through various tools and techniques in Photoshop, such as the 'remove background' button, color range selection, and refine edge brush tool. This technique is crucial for e-commerce where products need to be presented on a transparent background for websites.

Secret Button

Refers to a hidden or lesser-known feature within Photoshop that, when pressed, performs a specific function quickly, such as removing the background of an image. In the context of the video, pressing the 'remove background' button is one such action that streamlines the editing process.

Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer

A tool in Photoshop used to modify the color properties of an image. In the video, it is employed to target and remove specific colors, like unwanted greens, from the image after the background has been removed. This layer is significant for refining the image and ensuring a clean and professional result.

E-commerce

E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, and it is mentioned in the video as a context where background removal is particularly useful. Products for online stores often require images with transparent backgrounds for better visual presentation on web pages.

Action

In Photoshop, an 'action' is a series of commands or steps recorded to automate repetitive tasks. The video provides instructions on how to create and use actions to expedite the background removal process. This feature is highlighted as a time-saving tool for professionals handling large volumes of images.

Select Subject

A feature in Photoshop that allows for the quick selection of the main subject of an image by identifying and selecting it based on differences in color, contrast, or other visual cues. It is a fundamental part of the background removal process and is used to create an initial mask around the subject.

Smart Radius

A feature within the 'Select and Mask' tool in Photoshop that helps to refine the edges of a selection. It is used in the video to create smoother and more natural-looking transitions between the subject and the background, particularly useful when dealing with complex or detailed subjects.

Refine Hair

A specific function within the 'Select and Mask' workspace designed to improve the selection of fine, detailed areas such as hair or fur. The video demonstrates how this tool can be utilized to create more accurate masks around these intricate areas, which are typically challenging to select and isolate.

Color Range

A selection tool in Photoshop that allows users to select a specific color or range of colors in an image. In the context of the video, 'color range' is used to identify and remove backgrounds of a particular color, such as green screens, by selecting and then inverting the selection to isolate the subject.

Batch Processing

The automated processing of multiple files or images at once, which is a significant part of the video's content. Batch processing is showcased as an efficient method for applying the background removal technique to a large number of images without the need for manual intervention for each one.

Pixel Perfect Compositing Plugin

A third-party plugin for Photoshop mentioned in the video that simplifies the compositing process, which includes background removal. The plugin offers additional tools and features that integrate with Photoshop to enhance the efficiency and quality of image editing tasks.

Highlights

Secret button press removes the background in Photoshop with a green screen.

Use a hue saturation adjustment layer to remove unwanted colors like greens from the edges.

Drag and drop images into a secret program for automatic background removal in bulk.

Unlocking layers in Photoshop reveals the 'remove background' button in the properties panel.

Create an action to automate the background removal process with tools like object selection, quick selection, or magic wand.

Select subject and mask it out for high-contrast scenarios to avoid halos around the subject.

Use the 'select and mask' tool with smart radius for softer edges in background removal.

Refine hair feature in 'select and mask' for better edge detail on subjects with hair.

Batch process multiple images for background removal using custom actions in Photoshop.

Decontaminate colors to remove halos around the subject after background removal.

Utilize 'select color range' for background removal when the subject is separated by color.

Create a clipping mask with hue saturation adjustment for targeted color removal.

Use blend modes like multiply or screen to manage contrast issues between subject and background.

Pixel Perfect compositing plugin simplifies the masking and halo removal process in Photoshop.

Batch processing can be done through droplets in Photoshop for automating repetitive tasks.

Save time by using Photoshop's action recording feature to automate complex editing tasks.

Free actions and tutorials are available to help users learn and streamline their Photoshop workflow.

Understanding the concepts in Photoshop is more important than memorizing steps for effective use.