3 Easy Ways To Cut Out Images In Photoshop - Remove & Delete Backgrounds Fast

Brendan Williams
25 Dec 202011:42

TLDRIn this tutorial, Brendan from bewellcreative.com demonstrates three simple methods to cut out images and remove backgrounds in Photoshop. First, he introduces the 'Remove Background' button, which automatically creates a selection and layer mask. He then shows how to refine the selection using the layer mask and brush tool for areas that need more attention. Next, Brendan discusses the 'Object Selection Tool' and its ability to snap to the edges of the subject within a marquee selection. He also covers the 'Refine Hair' feature and the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' for detailed work. Lastly, he explains the 'Quick Selection Tool', which allows for painting on a selection that snaps to the edges of the subject. He also mentions the 'Select Subject' option for an automated selection process. The video concludes with a reminder to subscribe for more helpful tutorials.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Use the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop for a one-click background removal.
  • 🖌️ Select 'Subject' to create an active selection around the subject without removing the background, which can then be refined manually.
  • 🔍 Hold Alt/Option and click on the layer mask to view the selection and make adjustments for transparency.
  • 🖋️ Use the Brush Tool to paint over gray areas in the layer mask to fix transparency issues.
  • 🔧 The Object Selection Tool can automatically snap to the edges of the subject within a marquee selection.
  • 🧹 Refine hair details in the selection with the 'Refine Hair' button or manually with the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool'.
  • 🌈 Use 'Select and Mask' with 'Real Time Refinement' for more precise selection adjustments.
  • 📐 Quick Selection Tool allows for painting on a selection that automatically snaps to edges with contrast.
  • ➕/➖ Use the plus and minus options in Quick Selection Tool to include or exclude areas of the selection.
  • 🔄 Invert the layer mask with Command/Ctrl + I if the selection appears incorrect on the canvas.
  • ⚙️ The 'Select Subject' option is available in multiple tools for an automatic edge-snapping selection process.

Q & A

  • What is the 'Remove Background' feature in Photoshop?

    -The 'Remove Background' feature in Photoshop is a one-click method to automatically select and mask the background of an image, effectively removing it. This feature detects the main subject and isolates it, applying a layer mask to the image to make the background transparent.

  • How can one access the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop?

    -To access the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop, you first need to unlock the image layer you want to edit. Then, navigate to the 'Properties' panel, which can be found by going to 'Window' and selecting 'Properties'. Under the 'Quick Actions' section in the panel, you will find the 'Remove Background' button.

  • What is the 'Select Subject' feature and how is it different from 'Remove Background'?

    -The 'Select Subject' feature in Photoshop creates an active selection around the main subject of the image but does not remove the background. In contrast, 'Remove Background' not only selects the subject but also masks the background, making it transparent in one click.

  • What tools are available for manually refining selections in Photoshop?

    -Photoshop offers several tools for manually refining selections, including the 'Brush Tool' for painting adjustments on layer masks, the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' for improving the edges of selections, especially around complex areas like hair, and various settings within the 'Select and Mask' workspace for fine-tuning the edges and the appearance of the mask.

  • How does the 'Object Selection Tool' work in Photoshop?

    -The 'Object Selection Tool' allows you to create a rectangular or lasso selection around your subject. Photoshop then automatically refines this selection to snap to the edges of the subject within the marked area, helping to isolate it quickly from the background.

  • What is the 'Quick Selection Tool' and how does it function?

    -The 'Quick Selection Tool' in Photoshop lets you 'paint' a selection onto your image. The tool automatically expands the selection to the edges around the area you are painting, making it easier to select objects with distinct boundaries. You can adjust the selection by adding or subtracting areas using the tool options.

  • Can you explain the purpose of the 'Select and Mask' workspace?

    -The 'Select and Mask' workspace in Photoshop is designed for refining selections and masks. It offers tools and settings to adjust the edge hardness, smoothness, and feathering, and to improve the selection of difficult areas like hair or fur by using options like 'Refine Edge' and 'Decontaminate Colors'.

  • What is the significance of the brush mode 'Overlay' when refining a mask in Photoshop?

    -The 'Overlay' brush mode is significant for refining masks because it allows you to selectively affect only the non-white areas of a mask without altering the fully visible parts. This mode is particularly useful for correcting semi-transparent areas without affecting solid colors.

  • How does the 'Decontaminate Colors' option benefit the process of cutting out images?

    -The 'Decontaminate Colors' option helps to remove any color spill or fringe around the edges of a selection, which often occurs when backgrounds blend with the foreground. This option makes the edges cleaner and more distinct, which is particularly useful when placing the selected object against a new background.

  • What is the advantage of using the 'Refine Hair' button in the 'Select and Mask' workspace?

    -The 'Refine Hair' button automatically adjusts the selection around complex hair textures, enhancing the natural appearance of hair in the selection. It helps to capture fine hair details, improving the overall quality and realism of the mask when isolating subjects from their backgrounds.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Background Removal in Photoshop

The paragraph introduces the viewer to an easy method for cutting out images and removing backgrounds in Photoshop. The speaker, Brendan from bewellcreative.com, emphasizes the simplicity of the process in the updated 2020 version of Photoshop. He outlines that the tutorial will cover three simple ways to achieve this, highlighting the 'Remove Background' button and the 'Select Subject' option. Brendan shares his initial difficulty with the task and how it has become a one-click operation, promising to demonstrate these methods in detail within the program.

05:00

🖌️ Using the 'Remove Background' Button and Refining Edges

This paragraph delves into the specifics of using the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop. Brendan guides the viewer through the process of unlocking the image layer and using the Properties panel to access the 'Quick Actions' option. He explains that the 'Remove Background' option automatically makes a selection, adds it to a layer mask, and cuts out the image. He also discusses potential issues with the selection, such as feathered edges, and how to fix them using the brush tool in layer mask view. Brendan further clarifies how to adjust the brush settings and color to correct any imperfections in the selection, ensuring a clean cutout.

10:02

🖼️ Additional Tools for Cutting Out Images: Object Selection and Quick Selection

In this paragraph, Brendan introduces two more tools for cutting out images in Photoshop: the Object Selection Tool and the Quick Selection Tool. He explains how the Object Selection Tool snaps to the edges of the subject when a marquee selection is released, and how to refine the selection further using the 'Select and Mask' work area, especially for intricate details like hair. Brendan also covers the use of the 'Refine Hair' button and the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' for enhancing the cutout quality. Additionally, he describes the Quick Selection Tool's functionality, its automatic edge detection, and the refinement process using the 'Select Subject' option. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of the final results and the potential need for further manual adjustments.

📸 Wrapping Up the Tutorial and Final Tips

Brendan concludes the tutorial by summarizing the methods discussed for cutting out images and removing backgrounds in Photoshop. He reiterates the ease of use of the tools and options covered, including the 'Select Subject' feature as a starting point for automatic edge detection. Brendan also mentions a trick using the brush tool to clean up any remaining background fringing. He encourages viewers to like the video and subscribe to the channel for more tutorials. Brendan signs off, reminding viewers of his website and looking forward to the next tutorial session.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a software developed by Adobe Systems used primarily for digital art, photo editing, and graphic design. In the video, Photoshop is the central tool discussed, demonstrating its capabilities in removing backgrounds and cutting out images efficiently. The presenter introduces various Photoshop tools like the 'Remove Background' button and 'Quick Selection' tool, which streamline the editing process for users.

💡Remove Background

The 'Remove Background' feature in Photoshop automatically selects and removes the background of an image, applying a layer mask to isolate the subject. This tool is highlighted in the video as a simple, one-click solution that significantly speeds up the workflow for users who need to process images by removing distracting or unwanted backgrounds.

💡Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a fundamental concept used to control the visibility of a layer. It allows users to hide or reveal portions of a layer without permanently deleting them. In the tutorial, the presenter uses layer masks to refine the edges of the subject after the background is removed, showing viewers how to correct areas with unwanted transparency or visibility issues.

💡Object Selection Tool

The Object Selection Tool in Photoshop is designed to automatically select objects within a defined area, making it easier to isolate subjects from their surroundings. The video illustrates how this tool can be used to select a subject with a simple marquee drag, which Photoshop then refines to snap to the edges of the subject, aiding in precise selection for editing.

💡Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool is another Photoshop feature designed to speed up the selection process. It allows users to 'paint' a selection over an area, with Photoshop automatically detecting and adhering to the boundaries of the object. The tutorial discusses how this tool is particularly useful for quickly isolating subjects with clear boundaries and adjusting selections on-the-fly.

💡Select Subject

The 'Select Subject' option in Photoshop utilizes Adobe's AI technology to automatically identify and select the main subject in an image. This feature is discussed in the video as a time-saving tool that simplifies the initial steps of isolating a subject from its background, which can be further refined with other tools and options.

💡Decontaminate Colors

The 'Decontaminate Colors' function in Photoshop is used to clean up color spill or halo effects around the edges of a selection, often caused by background colors bleeding into the edges of a foreground object. The video explains how this tool can be applied during the 'Select and Mask' workflow to enhance the quality of the cut-out by removing unwanted color fringes.

💡Refine Edge

The Refine Edge tool in Photoshop helps in smoothing and feathering the edges of a selection to create a more natural and less jagged appearance. The tutorial details the use of this tool to improve the selection of complex edges, like hair, enhancing the realism and quality of the cut-out images.

💡Layer Mask View

Layer Mask View is a mode in Photoshop that allows users to view and edit the layer mask in isolation. This view is black and white, where white areas represent visible parts of the layer and black areas represent transparent parts. The presenter uses this view to demonstrate how to correct imperfections in the mask, ensuring the selection is accurate and clean.

💡Feathered Edge

Feathering in Photoshop refers to a soft transition or blur at the edges of a selection, which makes the boundaries less harsh and more blended with the background. The video discusses adjusting feathered edges using the Layer Mask View to ensure that transitions in the visibility of the subject are smooth and aesthetically pleasing, particularly around challenging areas like hair or fuzzy materials.

Highlights

Photoshop now offers a one-click method to remove backgrounds with the 2020 version and newer.

The 'Remove Background' button in the properties panel automates the selection and masking process.

The 'Select Subject' option creates an active selection around the subject without removing the background.

The layer mask view allows for precise adjustments to the selection by painting with black or white to adjust transparency.

The Object Selection Tool can intelligently select and remove backgrounds with a rectangular marquee selection.

Photoshop's 'Refine Hair' feature can automatically refine the edges of hair in a selection.

The 'Refine Edge Brush Tool' can be used to manually correct areas that the automatic feature missed.

The 'Decontaminate Colors' option helps clean up fringes or irregularities around the selection.

The Quick Selection Tool allows for painting on a selection that snaps to the edges of the subject.

Alt/Option clicking on the layer mask allows for viewing and adjusting the selection directly on the mask.

The 'Select Subject' feature can be used with the Object and Quick Selection Tools for an initial automatic selection.

Inverting a layer mask with Command/Ctrl + I can correct selections when the wrong areas are masked.

Using the Overlay mode with a brush tool can help remove unwanted semi-transparent areas.

The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to cutting out images and removing backgrounds in Photoshop.

Brendan from bewellcreative.com presents the tutorial, offering photography and photo editing tips.

Subscribing to the channel ensures viewers never miss a video on photography and photo editing.

The 'Remove Background' feature does an impressive job of cutting out images with complex details like hair and clothing.

The Object Selection Tool's 'Rectangular and Object Subtract' mode helps in making precise selections for background removal.

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