4 Easy Ways To Remove ANY White Background In Photoshop

Brendan Williams
13 Aug 202116:17

TLDRThis tutorial offers four methods to remove white backgrounds in Photoshop, suitable for both simple graphics and complex images like those with hair. First, for Photoshop CC 2020 and newer, the 'Remove Background' button simplifies the process with a single click. Second, the Magic Wand Tool is ideal for logos or solid backgrounds, with settings adjusted based on the content of the image. Third, the Magic Eraser Tool is a quick fix for graphics but not recommended for detailed subjects like people, as it works by permanently deleting pixels. Lastly, for intricate edges, the Channels method is detailed, using contrast to create a selection around the subject, which is then refined for a clean cutout. The summary highlights the ease and effectiveness of these techniques, catering to various levels of Photoshop expertise.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **Photoshop 2020 and newer**: Use the 'Remove Background' button for a quick and easy way to remove white backgrounds from images.
  • 🖌️ **Magic Wand Tool**: Select and remove solid white backgrounds from logos or graphics by adjusting the tolerance and using the 'Contiguous' option.
  • 🧙‍♂️ **Magic Eraser Tool**: Good for deleting backgrounds from graphics, but not recommended for detailed images like hair due to its destructive nature.
  • 🔍 **Channels Method**: Ideal for complicated edges like hair. Use the channel with the most contrast, duplicate it, and adjust levels to create a black and white image for a precise selection.
  • 🖋️ **Brush Tool Overlay Mode**: Paint over the subject to darken it and over the background to whiten it, creating a clear distinction for a selection.
  • ⚪️ **Refine Edge Brush Tool**: After creating a selection, use this tool to clean up and refine edges, especially hair, for a more realistic look.
  • 🔄 **Smart Radius**: When refining edges, use the 'Smart Radius' option to intelligently detect and smooth out transitions between the subject and the background.
  • 🔲 **Inverting Layer Masks**: Invert the layer mask to remove the white background and retain the subject with all its details.
  • 📸 **Decontaminate Colors**: Use this feature to further refine the hair and blend it seamlessly with the new background.
  • 🚫 **Avoid Magic Eraser for People**: Since it permanently deletes pixels, it's not suitable for detailed subjects like people with hair.
  • ✅ **Layer Masks**: Use layer masks to remove backgrounds non-destructively, preserving the original image for future edits.

Q & A

  • What is the easiest method to remove a white background in Photoshop according to the tutorial?

    -The easiest method mentioned in the tutorial is using the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop CC 2020 and newer, which automatically removes the white background with just one click.

  • How does the 'Remove Background' feature work in Photoshop?

    -The 'Remove Background' feature creates an active selection around the subject, adds it to a layer mask, and removes the background without any manual settings needed.

  • What tool is recommended for removing a solid white background from a logo or graphic?

    -The Magic Wand Tool is recommended for quickly removing a solid white background from a logo or graphic.

  • How does the Magic Eraser Tool differ from the Magic Wand Tool in Photoshop?

    -The Magic Eraser Tool samples a color, finds similar colors, and deletes them from the image, working non-destructively. It permanently deletes the background, unlike the Magic Wand Tool which adds a layer mask.

  • Why is the Magic Eraser Tool not recommended for removing the background from a person's image?

    -The Magic Eraser Tool is not recommended for removing the background from a person's image because it permanently deletes the background without the option of a layer mask, which could lead to loss of important details like hair strands.

  • What is the Channels method and how is it used to remove complicated edges like hair in Photoshop?

    -The Channels method involves identifying the color channel with the most contrast, duplicating it, and adjusting the levels to create a high-contrast image. Using the Brush Tool in Overlay mode, you paint to finalize the selection, which can then be used to create a layer mask for a precise cutout, especially around complicated edges like hair.

  • How can you refine the edges of a cutout, especially when dealing with hair, to make it look more realistic?

    -You can refine the edges by using the 'Select and Mask' option, where you select the 'Refine Edge Brush Tool', check 'Smart Radius', and paint along the edges of the hair. Photoshop will then remove any fringing and make the hair look more realistic.

  • What is the role of the 'Contiguous' option when using the Magic Wand Tool?

    -The 'Contiguous' option ensures that Photoshop only selects pixels that are connected to one another. This prevents the tool from selecting disconnected white areas in the image that are not part of the background.

  • How can you non-destructively remove a white background in Photoshop?

    -You can non-destructively remove a white background by using the Magic Wand Tool to make a selection, then adding a layer mask to the image layer. This preserves the original image and allows for easy background removal.

  • What is the importance of the 'Sample Size' setting when using the Magic Wand Tool?

    -The 'Sample Size' setting determines the scope of the area that the Magic Wand Tool samples to determine the color to select. A 'Point Sample' is used for high precision, while a '5 by 5 Average' samples a larger area for a more generalized selection.

  • How does the 'Anti-alias' option affect the selection when using the Magic Wand Tool?

    -The 'Anti-alias' option smooths the edges of the selection, reducing the jagged or pixelated appearance that can occur with sharp transitions between the selected area and the rest of the image.

  • What is the 'Select and Mask' refinement option used for in Photoshop?

    -The 'Select and Mask' refinement option is used to fine-tune the edges of a selection, particularly useful for intricate details like hair, to ensure a clean and realistic cutout.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Removing White Backgrounds in Photoshop

This paragraph introduces various methods for removing white backgrounds from images in Photoshop. It discusses the simplicity of removing backgrounds from images with no complex cutouts, such as hair, and introduces a new feature in Photoshop CC 2020 called 'remove background'. The paragraph also covers the use of the magic wand tool for solid color backgrounds and the magic eraser tool for graphics with off-white colors. It emphasizes the importance of settings like sample size, tolerance, anti-alias, and contiguous for accurate selection and non-destructive editing.

05:00

🔍 Fine-Tuning the Magic Eraser Tool

The second paragraph delves into the use of the magic eraser tool, which deletes similar colors to the sampled one. It explains the importance of the 'contiguous' option for selecting only connected pixels and how adjusting the tolerance can help refine the selection. The paragraph also discusses the limitations of the magic eraser tool for removing backgrounds from portraits due to its destructive nature and the lack of a layer mask for further adjustments. It concludes with a brief mention of using channels for more complex selections, such as hair.

10:00

🎨 Advanced Techniques with Channels and Overlays

The third paragraph focuses on an advanced method for removing white backgrounds, especially when dealing with complex edges like hair. It explains the process of using color channels to identify the one with the most contrast, duplicating it, and then adjusting levels to create a high-contrast image. The paragraph details the use of the brush tool in overlay mode to selectively darken hair and lighten the background for a clean selection. It also covers the use of the 'select and mask' option to refine edges and remove fringing, and the 'decontaminate colors' feature to further refine the hair selection.

15:02

🛠️ Recap of Photoshop Background Removal Tools

The final paragraph recaps the tools and techniques covered in the tutorial for removing white backgrounds in Photoshop. It mentions the 'remove background' tool available in Photoshop 2020 and newer, the magic wand tool for single-color backgrounds, the magic eraser tool suitable for graphics, and the channels method for complicated edges. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and look forward to more tutorials on photo editing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Remove Background

The 'Remove Background' feature in Photoshop CC 2020 and newer is a tool that automatically detects and removes the background of an image with a single click. It is particularly useful for images with solid backgrounds like white, creating a layer mask around the subject for easy editing. It is showcased in the video as a highly efficient method for beginners and professionals alike.

💡Magic Wand Tool

The Magic Wand Tool in Photoshop is used to make selections based on color similarity. It is ideal for images with a clear distinction between the subject and the background color, such as a logo on a white background. The tool's tolerance setting determines the range of colors to be selected, and it works non-destructively by adding a layer mask.

💡Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a non-destructive editing technique that hides or reveals parts of a layer. It is used extensively in the video to remove backgrounds without losing the original image data. The mask can be inverted or adjusted for a clean and precise cutout.

💡Magic Eraser Tool

The Magic Eraser Tool is used to delete areas of a similar color in an image based on a sampled color. It works by permanently erasing the background, which is suitable for graphics but not recommended for intricate details like hair, as it does not provide the flexibility of a layer mask.

💡Channels

Channels in Photoshop refer to the individual color components of an image, such as Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). They are used in the video to create a high-contrast selection of the subject against the background. By duplicating a channel with strong contrast and adjusting levels, a precise selection can be made, particularly useful for complex edges like hair.

💡Brush Tool

The Brush Tool in Photoshop is a versatile tool used for painting and editing. In the context of the video, it is used in Overlay mode to darken the subject and lighten the background in the channel, aiding in the selection process for a non-destructive background removal.

💡Refine Edge Brush Tool

The Refine Edge Brush Tool is used to smooth, feather, and clean up the edges of a selection, particularly useful after using the channels method for complex selections like hair. It helps to eliminate fringing and produce a more natural and realistic cutout.

💡Smart Radius

Smart Radius is a feature within the Select and Mask option in Photoshop that automatically calculates the radius for feathering the edges of a selection. It is used in the video to refine the hair edges, ensuring a smooth transition between the subject and the background.

💡Decontaminate Colors

Decontaminate Colors is a feature that helps to remove unwanted colors from a layer mask, often used after refining selections. In the video, it is applied to the final cutout to clean up any remaining background colors and improve the subject's contrast against a new background.

💡Contiguous

Contiguous is a setting in the Magic Wand and Magic Eraser Tools that, when checked, ensures only adjacent or connected pixels of the sampled color are selected or erased. This prevents the tool from affecting colors in the subject that are the same as the background but not connected.

💡Tolerance

Tolerance is a setting in the Magic Wand Tool that determines the range of colors to be selected. A low tolerance selects only pixels that closely match the sampled color, while a high tolerance selects a broader range of colors. In the video, adjusting tolerance is crucial for accurately selecting the white background without affecting the subject.

Highlights

Introduction to removing white backgrounds in Photoshop, including complex cases like cutting out hair.

Utilizing the 'Remove Background' button in Photoshop CC 2020 and newer for simple, one-click background removal.

Explanation of how to access and use the Properties panel to easily remove backgrounds.

Overview of the Magic Wand Tool for removing solid color backgrounds, ideal for graphics.

Detailed settings for the Magic Wand Tool to optimize background removal without affecting embedded graphics.

Introduction to the Magic Eraser Tool for quick, destructive background removal in simple graphics.

Highlighting the use of 'Contiguous' setting in Photoshop tools to ensure precise selection and avoid unwanted deletions.

Advanced method using the Channels tab to remove complex backgrounds like hair, leveraging color channel contrasts.

Step-by-step guide on using the Levels dialog box within Channels to enhance selection accuracy.

Using brush tools in Overlay mode to refine selections around complicated edges like hair.

Finalizing selections with a brush to ensure the background is completely removed and the subject remains intact.

Using Select and Mask option to refine edges and eliminate fringing, especially around hair.

Comparison of the different Photoshop tools for background removal, highlighting their appropriate use cases.

Demonstration of how to put a cutout subject onto a new background, showcasing a seamless blend.

Encouragement to engage with the channel through likes and subscriptions to support further Photoshop tutorials.

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