How To Remove a Background In Photoshop [For Beginners]
TLDRIn this tutorial, Jesús Ramirez shares professional techniques for removing backgrounds in Photoshop, tailored for beginners. The process involves three main steps: selecting the main subject using the Select and Mask tool with the Cloud option for better accuracy, refining hard edges with global adjustments, and addressing intricate details like hair using the Refine Edge brush tool. Additional tips include fixing common issues like incomplete masks, using brushes for complex details, and dealing with color casts. The video concludes with how to export the image with transparency as a PNG, encouraging viewers to like and subscribe for more content.
Takeaways
- 🎨 **Selecting the Main Subject**: Use the Select and Mask tool for precise selections and better control over the Photoshop interface.
- 🔍 **Quick Selection Tool**: Click and drag to automatically find edges and expand the selection, or hold Alt/Option to subtract from the selection.
- ☁️ **Cloud Option**: Send the image to Adobe's cloud service for a better selection, but requires an internet connection.
- 📷 **Select Subject Button**: Useful for selecting an entire person, with the option to choose between Device and Cloud processing.
- 🖌 **Fine-Tuning the Selection**: Use the Zoom tool to zoom in and manually add missing areas with the Quick Selection or Brush tool.
- 📏 **Refining Hard Edges**: Utilize the Global Refinement sliders to smooth and sharpen the edges of the selection.
- 🧑 **Separating Hair from Body**: Treat hair and other intricate details separately for better results using the Refine Edge brush tool.
- 🎭 **Layer Mask**: A non-destructive method to hide areas in your image, allowing for flexibility in editing.
- 🖋 **Fixing Incomplete Masks**: Use the Brush tool on the mask to hide remnants of the background or reveal hidden content of the subject.
- 🧹 **Cleaning Up Edges**: Address issues like color casts or strong outlines by using blending modes, filters, and custom brushes.
- 🔄 **Exporting the Image**: Once the background is removed, export the image as a PNG to preserve the transparency.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the tutorial?
-The tutorial focuses on professional techniques for removing backgrounds in Photoshop, specifically for beginners, with an emphasis on achieving precise edges and maintaining editing flexibility.
What is the first step in Jesús Ramirez's method for removing the background in Photoshop?
-The first step is to select the main subject using the Select and Mask option in Photoshop, which provides more control and leads to better results.
What tool can be used for selecting specific objects like clothing?
-The Quick Selection tool can be used for selecting specific objects like clothing by clicking and dragging over the image, allowing Photoshop to automatically find the edges.
How does the Cloud option in the Select Subject button work?
-The Cloud option sends the image to Adobe's online service to process it and generate a better selection. It requires an internet connection and generally provides a more accurate selection than the Device option.
What is the purpose of the Global Refinement sliders?
-The Global Refinement sliders are used to smoothen and sharpen the edges of the selection, making them appear more natural and clean.
How can you refine the hard edges of a selection without affecting intricate details like hair?
-You can switch to the Black and White view mode to better see the edges, then use the Smooth and Contrast sliders to refine the edges, focusing on areas that are not hair or other intricate details.
What is the advantage of using a Layer Mask in Photoshop?
-A Layer Mask is a non-destructive way of hiding areas in an image. It allows for flexibility as the hidden content can be brought back at any time, which is crucial for professional editing where changes may be requested.
How does the Refine Edge brush tool help in selecting fine details like hair?
-The Refine Edge brush tool uses Photoshop's edge detection algorithms to capture fine details that standard selection tools might miss. It analyzes the content and differentiates between the foreground and the background as you brush along the edges.
What is a common issue when removing backgrounds and how can it be resolved?
-Incomplete masks or over masking is a common issue, where parts of the background are not entirely removed or parts of the subject are masked. This can be fixed by using the Brush tool on the mask to hide or reveal areas as needed.
How can you create a more realistic edge for subjects with varying degrees of blurriness?
-You can use the Blur tool to blur the edges of the mask to match the original photo's depth of field, creating a more realistic and less uniform edge.
What is the purpose of the Minimum filter in refining the edges of a mask?
-The Minimum filter can be used to contract the mask, reducing strong outlines around the subject. It provides precise control and can be applied locally to specific areas of the mask.
How can you remove a color cast caused by a colored background reflecting onto the subject?
-To remove a color cast, create a new layer above the main subject and use a clipping mask. Change the blending mode to Color and use the Brush tool to paint away the color spill with a similar color picked from the subject.
Outlines
🎨 Photoshop Background Removal Techniques
In this tutorial, Jesús Ramirez teaches beginners how to professionally remove backgrounds in Photoshop. He emphasizes the importance of precise edges and editing flexibility, offering a three-step formula. The process begins with selecting the main subject using the Select and Mask tool for better control and results. Jesús also discusses the use of Adobe's Cloud service for improved selection and introduces the Object Selection tool for multi-subject images. He shares professional brushes and addresses common issues, such as maintaining editing flexibility and solving problems related to rough edges.
🔍 Refining Edges and Selecting Hair in Photoshop
The second step in the background removal process focuses on refining hard edges and selecting fine details like hair. Jesús demonstrates how to switch to Black and White view for better edge visibility and uses Global Refinement sliders to smooth and sharpen edges. He explains that hair and other intricate details require separate adjustments and introduces the Refine Edge brush tool and the Refine Hair button for this purpose. The paragraph concludes with how to output the selection as a layer mask, which is a non-destructive method that allows for flexibility in editing.
🖌️ Advanced Masking and Custom Brush Techniques
Jesús addresses common issues in masking, such as incomplete masks or over masking, and provides solutions like using the Brush tool to hide or reveal parts of the image. He introduces custom brushes for painting fine details like flyaway hair and fuzzy edges, which can be more effective than traditional selection tools. The paragraph also covers techniques for dealing with varying blurriness in depth of field, using the Blur tool to match mask edges to the original photo, and using the Minimum filter for precise mask adjustments. Additionally, Jesús explains how to fix color casts using a clipping mask with a Color blending mode.
📋 Final Touches and Exporting the Image
The final paragraph covers the last stages of the background removal process. After refining the mask, Jesús shows how to remove any remaining color spill using a clipping mask with a Color blending mode and a brush tool. He then guides on how to export the image as a PNG to preserve the transparency. The paragraph ends with an encouragement for viewers to like and subscribe if they found the tutorial helpful.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photoshop
💡Select and Mask
💡Quick Selection Tool
💡Select Subject
💡Object Selection Tool
💡Layer Mask
💡Refine Edge Brush Tool
💡Global Refinement Sliders
💡Color Cast
💡PNG
💡Custom Brushes
Highlights
Photoshop tutorial for beginners on how to remove backgrounds professionally.
The importance of precise edges and maintaining editing flexibility in professional practice.
A three-step formula for removing backgrounds in Photoshop.
Using the Select and Mask workspace for better control and precision.
Quick selection tool for selecting specific objects and the option to subtract from selections.
Select Subject button with Cloud option for better selection results, requiring internet connection.
Comparison between Device and Cloud options for image processing.
Object Selection tool for multi-subject photos to isolate a single subject.
Fine-tuning the selection by adding missing areas with the quick selection or brush tool.
Refining hard edges using Global Refinement sliders for smooth and sharp edges.
Shift Edge Slider to contract or expand the selection to reduce edge halos.
Separate adjustment for hair or intricate details using a layer mask.
Refine Edge brush tool for capturing fine details that standard tools might miss.
Refine Hair button for AI-based edge detection on hair.
Addressing common issues like incomplete masks or over masking with brush tools.
Using custom brushes for complex areas like flyaway hair or fuzzy edges.
Blur tool to match varying degrees of blurriness around subject edges.
Minimum filter to contract the mask and remove strong outlines.
Color cast removal using a clipping mask and color blending mode.
Exporting the image as a PNG to preserve transparency after background removal.