How To Remove a Background In Photoshop [For Beginners!]

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Remove Backgrounds in Photoshop

1. Download the Photo:

   • If you want to follow along with the tutorial, download the photo provided in the video description.

2. Open the Image in Photoshop:

   • Open the image you want to remove the background from in Photoshop.

3. Access the Select and Mask Workspace:

   • Go to Select in the top menu and choose Select and Mask. This workspace helps you make precise selections and masks.

4. Select the Subject:

   • Use tools like the Quick Selection Tool or Adobe Sensei's Select Subject button to make your initial selection of the main subject in the image.

5. Fine-Tune the Selection:

   • Use the Quick Selection Tool with the add option enabled to bring back any missing details in the selection.
   • Use the Brush Tool to paint in any missing areas like shoelaces.
   • Spend time fine-tuning the selection for better results.

6. Adjust Mask Edge:

   • Use the global refinement sliders (smooth, feather, contrast, shift edge) to refine the edges of your mask for a realistic cutout.
   • Adjust the sliders to make the edges smoother, sharper, and prevent halos.

7. Focus on Hair Selection:

   • Separate the hair selection from the body selection.
   • Use the Refine Edge Brush or Refine Hair button to work specifically on the hair details.

8. Finalize the Mask:

   • Apply the mask adjustments to the previous mask.
   • Add a new layer for the background (e.g., solid color) to see the cutout more clearly.

9. Refine Mask Further:

   • Use the Brush Tool with white to reveal and black to hide pixels on the mask.
   • Swap between foreground and background colors with the X key for easier editing.
   • Spend time making final adjustments to the mask for a clean cutout.

10. Use the Remove Background Feature (Optional):

    • In newer versions of Photoshop, you can use the Remove Background button in the Properties panel to quickly create a layer mask using AI.

11. Replace the Background (Optional):

    • To replace the background, go to File > Place Embedded and select the new background image. Commit the changes to add the new background.

12. Explore Advanced Techniques (Optional):

    • Check out additional tutorials for more advanced masking techniques, like dealing with shadows and highlights or using filters like minimum and maximum.

13. Finalize and Save:

    • Once you're satisfied with the cutout, save your work in the desired format.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to remove backgrounds in Photoshop using a step-by-step approach. Experiment with different images and practice to improve your skills further.