4 Ways To Remove Backgrounds In Photoshop For Beginners

In this tutorial, Brandon from bewellcreative.com teaches beginners four easy methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop. The first method uses a simple button in the properties panel to select the subject and apply a layer mask to hide the background. The second technique involves the magic wand tool for selecting areas of similar color. The third method employs the object selection tool, which can define specific areas and use AI to find edges for selection. The final method, select color range, is ideal for images with simple backgrounds and complex subjects, like curly hair. Each method is demonstrated with examples, and Brandon also discusses the use of select and mask for refining selections, especially around challenging areas like hair. The tutorial aims to provide solid understanding without overwhelming beginners with complexity.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Use the 'Select Subject' button in the Properties panel or the 'Select Subject' option in the selection tools to quickly remove backgrounds by applying a layer mask.
• ⚙️ The layer mask is a non-destructive way to hide or show parts of a layer; black hides and white shows.
• 🎨 For more control, use the Magic Wand tool with adjustable settings like Sample Size and Tolerance to select areas of similar color.
• 🌐 The 'Contiguous' option in the Magic Wand tool ensures that only touching pixels are selected, which is useful for background removal.
• 🔄 The Object Selection tool uses AI to identify and select objects within a defined area, which can be adjusted using Lasso or Rectangle mode.
• 🧑‍🦰 The 'Select and Mask' workspace helps refine selections, especially for complex areas like hair, using tools like 'Refine Hair' and 'Refine Edge Brush'.
• 👔 Decontaminate colors can be used to fix haloing effects around selections.
• 🌈 The 'Select Color Range' method is effective for backgrounds of a single color, allowing for precise selection by sampling colors.
• 🖌️ After using 'Select Color Range', you can touch up selections with quick selection tools and the Brush tool for a clean result.
• 🔄 Inverting selections can be a useful technique when the background is a single color and you want to isolate the subject.
• 📚 For more advanced and precise selection techniques, consider exploring additional tutorials aimed at professional Photoshop users.

Q & A

What are the four methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop as described in the transcript?

The four methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop are: 1) Using the 'Remove Background' button in the Properties panel, 2) Using the Magic Wand tool to select and remove a background of a single color, 3) Using the Object Selection tool to manually define an area and let Photoshop find edges to create a selection, and 4) Using the 'Select Color Range' feature to select by color and remove a simple background.

How does the 'Remove Background' button in the Properties panel work?

The 'Remove Background' button in the Properties panel automatically selects the subject and removes the background by applying it onto a layer mask. Black areas on the layer mask are 100% transparent, and white areas are 100% visible.

What is the role of the 'Select Subject' button in the selection process?

The 'Select Subject' button is used to create a selection around the subject of the image. It can be used for spot adjustments or as a step prior to removing the background with a layer mask.

How does the Magic Wand tool help in removing backgrounds?

The Magic Wand tool is used to select a color and turn it into a selection. It's particularly good for backgrounds with a single color, as it can quickly select all instances of that color in the image.

What are the importance of 'Anti-alias' and 'Contiguous' options in the Magic Wand tool?

The 'Anti-alias' option smooths the edges of the selection to avoid a blocky appearance. The 'Contiguous' option ensures that only pixels that are touching are selected, which is helpful when trying to remove a background without selecting the subject.

How does the Object Selection tool differ from the Magic Wand tool?

The Object Selection tool allows for more precise selection by defining a specific area and letting Photoshop find edges within that area to create a selection. It is particularly useful for selecting subjects with complicated edges, such as hair.

What is the 'Select and Mask' workspace used for?

The 'Select and Mask' workspace is used to refine selections, especially in areas with complicated details like hair. It provides tools like 'Refine Hair', 'Refine Edge Brush', and 'Decontaminate Colors' to improve the selection quality.

How can the 'Select Color Range' method be beneficial for removing backgrounds?

The 'Select Color Range' method is beneficial for removing simple, single-color backgrounds. It allows you to sample colors in the photo, which then turns into a selection, making it easy to isolate the subject from a uniform background.

What is the advantage of using multiple selection methods in Photoshop?

Using multiple selection methods allows for flexibility and better results in various situations. Different methods are suitable for different types of images and backgrounds, enabling users to achieve the best possible selection for their specific needs.

Why might the 'Select Subject' button not always make an accurate selection?

The 'Select Subject' button might not always make an accurate selection because it may struggle with complex images where the subject is not clearly distinguishable or when the subject and background have similar colors or details.

What is the final step to remove the background after making a selection with any of the described tools?

The final step to remove the background after making a selection is to add a layer mask to the selected layer. This hides the background while keeping the subject visible.

How can one further improve the quality of a selection, especially around complex areas like hair?

One can improve the quality of a selection around complex areas like hair by using the 'Select and Mask' refinement tools, manually painting over areas to refine the selection, and using features like 'Refine Hair' and 'Decontaminate Colors'.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Background Removal in Photoshop

The video introduces four simple methods for removing backgrounds in Photoshop, suitable even for beginners. The host, Brandon from bewellcreative.com, explains that some techniques are as easy as clicking a button, but they have limitations. The video promises to cover tools and methods that provide a solid understanding of background removal without unnecessary complexity. The first method involves using the 'Remove Background' or 'Select Subject' button in the Properties panel after unlocking the layer and selecting it. The second method uses selection tools like the Object Selection Tool, Quick Selection Tool, or Magic Wand Tool, which have a 'Select Subject' option for creating an active selection of the subject. The video also discusses the importance of the layer mask for hiding and showing parts of the photo.

05:01

🛠️ Using the Magic Wand Tool for Background Removal

The Magic Wand Tool is introduced as a method for turning a specific color into a selection. It is accessed via the toolbar or keyboard shortcut 'W'. The settings for the tool, including Sample Size, Tolerance, Anti-alias, and Contiguous, are discussed. The Sample Size determines how much color is selected, while Tolerance includes more colors in the selection. Anti-alias smooths the selection edges, and Contiguous ensures only touching pixels are selected. The video demonstrates how to use the tool to select and remove the sky background of a building, adjusting the sample size for better results. The Magic Wand Tool is noted to be limiting for photos with multiple colors, leading into the next method.

10:03

🎨 Advanced Selection Techniques with the Object Selection Tool

The Object Selection Tool is presented as a more advanced method for defining a specific area for selection. It can be accessed from the toolbar and works by allowing the user to define an area with a lasso or marquee selection, which Photoshop then tries to select based on edges within that area. An AI feature called 'Object Finder' is also mentioned, which can select multiple objects in a photo. However, for more precise selections, especially around hair, the user can manually define the area using the lasso or rectangle mode. The 'Select and Mask' workspace is introduced for refining selections, particularly for complex areas like hair. The refine hair button, quick selection tool, and refine edge brush are discussed for fine-tuning the selection and dealing with issues like 'ghosting' or haloing.

📌 Combining Techniques for Complicated Backgrounds

The video concludes with a method that combines previous techniques for removing backgrounds, specifically for subjects with complicated hair on a simple background. The 'Select Color Range' tool is introduced, which samples colors in the photo to create a selection. The process involves selecting the white background while the subject remains deselected. The selection is refined by sampling multiple areas and adjusting the fuzziness slider. After inverting the selection to select the subject, a layer mask is added to remove the background. The video also suggests using the 'Select Subject' feature to touch up areas that were not perfectly selected. The host offers to create a more advanced tutorial on realistic hair cutting if viewers are interested and signs off, promising another tutorial in the future.

Keywords

Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used software program developed by Adobe Inc., primarily for image editing and manipulation. In the context of the video, it is the platform where all the background removal techniques are demonstrated and applied, allowing users to enhance their images by isolating subjects from their backgrounds.

Background Removal

Background removal is the process of separating the subject of an image from its background. This technique is crucial in graphic design and photo editing, as it allows for greater flexibility in compositing and design. The video provides several methods to achieve this in Photoshop, catering to different levels of complexity and user expertise.

Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a tool that allows users to hide or reveal parts of a layer without permanently altering the image. It operates on a black and white scale, where black hides parts of the layer and white reveals it. In the video, layer masks are used to apply the background removal, keeping the subject visible while hiding the background.

Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool is one of the selection tools in Photoshop that makes selecting areas of an image easier and faster. It works by automatically sampling colors and creating selections based on tonal and color differences. In the video, this tool is used to quickly select subjects for background removal, with options to refine the selection further.

Magic Wand Tool

The Magic Wand Tool in Photoshop is designed for making selections based on color similarity. It works by selecting areas of the image that are close to the color you click on, making it useful for backgrounds with uniform or simple color schemes. The video demonstrates how this tool can be utilized to remove backgrounds by selecting and isolating color areas.

Object Selection Tool

The Object Selection Tool in Photoshop is an advanced selection tool that uses AI to自动识别 and select objects within an image. It simplifies the process of selecting complex subjects by allowing users to click on the desired object, and the tool will attempt to trace and select it. The video shows how this tool can be helpful in selecting subjects with intricate details, such as hair.

Select and Mask

Select and Mask is a feature in Photoshop that provides advanced selection tools and options for refining selections. It is used to fine-tune selections made with other tools, such as the Quick Selection Tool or Magic Wand Tool, by offering various adjustment options like edge refinement and hair selection. In the video, it is used to improve the quality of selections, especially around complex areas like hair.

Layer

In Photoshop, a layer is a transparent sheet that can contain images, text, or other elements. Layers allow for non-destructive editing, as changes can be made to individual layers without affecting the entire image. The video discusses the use of layers in the context of background removal, where subjects are often placed on separate layers to facilitate the process.

Properties Panel

The Properties Panel in Photoshop is a workspace that provides options and settings specific to the selected layer or object. It includes various properties like blending options, layer style, and in the case of the video, the 'Remove Background' button which automates the background removal process. The video highlights its use for beginners to quickly remove backgrounds with a single click.

Sample Size

Sample Size in the context of the Magic Wand Tool refers to the number of pixels surrounding the clicked area that the tool considers when creating a selection based on color similarity. A larger sample size means a broader range of color tolerance, which can be beneficial when dealing with images that have gradual color changes or when trying to select small, detailed areas.

Tolerance

Tolerance is a setting in the Magic Wand Tool that determines how similar colors must be in order to be included in the selection. A higher tolerance value means a wider range of colors will be selected, which can be useful for background removal when dealing with images that have a variety of shades within the same color.

Highlights

Learn four easy ways to remove backgrounds in Photoshop, even for beginners.

Use the 'Remove Background' button for a one-click solution with limitations.

Unlock layers and access the Properties panel for more control over selections.

Select Subject or Remove Background options available in the Properties panel for quick actions.

The Magic Wand tool is effective for selecting and removing backgrounds of similar colors.

Sample Size and Tolerance are key settings in the Magic Wand tool for accurate selection.

Anti-alias and Contiguous options smooth and refine selections in the Magic Wand tool.

The Object Selection Tool uses AI to identify and select subjects more easily.

Define areas with Lasso or Rectangle modes and let Photoshop find edges within for selection.

Select and Mask workspace is useful for refining selections, especially around complex areas like hair.

Refine Hair button can help remove background from complex hair, but may require touch-ups.

Use quick selection tools in combination with Select Subject for final touch-ups.

Select Color Range is a powerful technique for backgrounds of a single color, even with complex subjects.

Sampling multiple areas and adjusting Fuzziness can refine the selection in Select Color Range.

Inverting the selection and using layer masks can clean up any remaining issues.

Combining Select Color Range with Select Subject can efficiently remove backgrounds and refine selections.

Explore more advanced techniques for professional-level background removal in additional tutorials.

Brandon from bewellcreative.com provides step-by-step guidance for beginners to feel like professionals.