How To Remove a Difficult Background in Photoshop (Tutorial)

VerticDesigns
4 Apr 202203:35

TLDRIn this Photoshop tutorial, Vertic Designs demonstrates how to remove a complex background from an image. The process begins by unlocking the layer and adjusting the threshold to separate the subject from the background. A smart object is created for reference, and the selection tool is used to isolate the subject. The color range tool helps refine the selection, and the polygonal lasso tool is employed to add or subtract from the selection. After refining the selection, the background is removed by applying a mask to the main image. The tutorial concludes with a simple step to invert the selection for a clean removal of the complex background.

Takeaways

  • 🔓 Unlock the image layer to edit it in Photoshop.
  • 🎨 Use the 'Threshold' adjustment to separate the subject from the background.
  • 📏 Adjust the threshold slider to make the subject as dark as possible against a lighter background.
  • 🖍️ Copy the threshold layer and convert it into a smart object for reference.
  • 🌈 Utilize the 'Color Range' selection tool to separate the white and black areas.
  • 🔍 Set the fuzziness to 200 for a more precise selection.
  • ✂️ Use the Polygonal Lasso tool to fine-tune and remove unwanted selections.
  • ➖ Subtract from the selection by holding the Alt key and clicking to remove extra bits.
  • 🖱️ Hide the reference and threshold layers once the selection is complete.
  • 🔄 Invert the selection by pressing Ctrl or Command + I to prepare for masking.
  • 🎭 Click on the mask button to apply the selection and remove the background.

Q & A

  • What is the first step in removing a complex background in Photoshop?

    -The first step is to unlock the background layer by left-clicking on the lock icon.

  • Which adjustment tool is used to separate the tree and leaves from the background in the tutorial?

    -The Threshold adjustment tool is used to help separate the tree and leaves from the background.

  • What is the purpose of setting a threshold level around 144 in the tutorial?

    -Setting the threshold level around 144 helps to make the areas you want to keep as dark as possible, which aids in the separation process.

  • How do you create a copy of the threshold layer in the process?

    -You hold the Shift key, click on the top threshold layer, and then press Ctrl or Command + J to create a copy.

  • What is the role of converting the copied layer into a smart object?

    -Converting the copied layer into a smart object allows you to use it as a reference during the selection process.

  • How does the Color Range tool help in separating the white and black areas of the image?

    -The Color Range tool allows you to select specific color areas, such as white or black, to separate them from each other.

  • What is the fuzziness setting used for when using the Color Range tool?

    -The fuzziness setting, when set to 200, determines the range of colors that will be selected, allowing for a more precise selection.

  • How do you fix unwanted selections made by the Color Range tool?

    -You use the Polygonal Lasso tool to manually add or subtract from the selection to fix any unwanted areas that were selected.

  • What should you do after making the final adjustments with the Polygonal Lasso tool?

    -You should hold Ctrl or Command and left-click to connect the starting point to the endpoint of the selection.

  • How do you apply the mask to the background layer after removing the unwanted areas?

    -You select the background or main image layer and click on the mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel.

  • What is the final step to make the background removal look correct in the image?

    -Press Ctrl or Command + I to invert the selection, which will properly display the removed background.

  • Why is it important to hide the reference and threshold layers during the selection process?

    -Hiding these layers helps to have a clear view of the selection process and prevents any distractions or accidental changes to these layers.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Removing Complex Backgrounds in Photoshop

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on how to remove complex backgrounds in Photoshop. The process begins by unlocking the layer and using the 'Threshold' adjustment to separate the desired elements, such as a tree and its leaves, from the background. The threshold level is adjusted to maximize contrast, making it easier to distinguish between the subject and the background. A copy of the layer is then made and converted into a smart object for reference. The 'Color Range' selection tool is used to isolate the white and black areas, with the fuzziness set to 200 to refine the selection. Any unwanted selections are corrected using the 'Polygonal Lasso' tool. The reference and threshold layers are hidden, and the selection is refined by subtracting the unwanted areas. Finally, the background is removed by selecting the main image and applying a mask, inverting the selection if necessary for a clean result.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used software for image editing and manipulation, developed by Adobe. In the context of the video, it is the primary tool used to demonstrate how to remove complex backgrounds from images. It is essential for graphic designers and photographers for creating professional-quality images.

💡Layer

In Photoshop, a layer is a transparency that can be edited individually without affecting the other layers. The video mentions unlocking a layer to edit it, which is a common step in image manipulation. Layers allow for non-destructive editing and are crucial for tasks like background removal.

💡Threshold

Threshold is an adjustment in Photoshop that converts an image to high-contrast, black-and-white based on a specified level. In the video, it is used to separate the subject (tree and leaves) from the background by making the areas to be kept as dark as possible, which aids in the selection process.

💡Smart Object

A smart object in Photoshop is a container that allows users to store an image in a non-destructive format. The video describes converting a layer into a smart object to use as a reference. This allows for non-destructive scaling and editing, preserving the original image data.

💡Color Range

Color Range is a selection tool in Photoshop that allows for the selection of a specific color range in an image. The video uses it to separate the white and black areas, facilitating the selection of the tree and leaves for the background removal process.

💡Fuzziness

Fuzziness in Photoshop's Color Range tool refers to the tolerance level for selecting colors that are similar to the clicked color. A higher fuzziness value, like the 200 mentioned in the video, includes more colors in the selection, which can be useful for complex images with varying shades.

💡Polygonal Lasso Tool

The Polygonal Lasso Tool is a selection tool in Photoshop used for making straight-edged selections. In the video, it is used to manually refine the selection around the tree and leaves, allowing for the removal of unwanted areas that were included in the initial selection.

💡Selection Mode

Selection mode in the Polygonal Lasso Tool determines whether you add to or subtract from the existing selection. The video instructs to select the second mode, which allows for both adding and subtracting from the selection, providing more control over the final selection.

💡Mask

A mask in Photoshop is a layer element that hides or reveals parts of the layer beneath it. The video describes using a mask to hide the background after refining the selection, which effectively removes the background from the image.

💡Invert Selection

Inverting a selection in Photoshop means reversing the selected and unselected areas. The video uses the invert selection command (Ctrl or Command + I) to switch between the background and the tree/leaves selection, which is necessary for applying the mask to remove the background.

💡Complex Background Removal

Complex background removal refers to the process of separating a subject from its intricate background in an image. The video provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to achieve this in Photoshop, which is a common task in graphic design and photography for isolating subjects or preparing images for various uses.

Highlights

Unlock the background layer by left-clicking on the lock icon in Photoshop.

Use the 'Threshold' adjustment to separate the subject from the background.

Adjust the threshold slider to maximize contrast between the subject and the background.

Set a threshold level that covers most of the subject area, such as around 144.

Minimize the 'Threshold' adjustment layer after setting the level.

Hold Shift and click on the top and bottom layers to select them both.

Use Ctrl or Command + J to create a copy of the selected layers.

Convert the copied layer into a smart object for reference.

Navigate to 'Select' and then 'Color Range' to separate white and black areas.

Click on the 'Y' area in 'Color Range' to select the lighter areas.

Set fuzziness to 200 for a more precise selection.

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to refine the selection by adding or subtracting areas.

Hide the reference and threshold layers before proceeding.

Hold Alt and use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to subtract unwanted selected areas.

Complete the selection by connecting the starting point to the endpoint.

Select the main image layer and click the mask button to apply the selection as a mask.

Invert the mask by pressing Ctrl or Command + I to remove the background.

The final step results in a complex background removal using Photoshop.

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