4 Ways To Remove Backgrounds In Photoshop For Beginners
TLDRIn this tutorial, Brandon from bewellcreative.com teaches beginners four straightforward methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop. The first technique involves using the 'Remove Background' button in the Properties panel, which automatically selects the subject and applies a layer mask. The second method is the Magic Wand tool, which is adept at selecting a color and turning it into a selection. The third method is the Object Selection tool, which allows for more precise selection of the subject, even with complex edges like hair. Lastly, the 'Select Color Range' technique is introduced for simple backgrounds, which samples colors to create a selection. Brandon also covers how to refine selections using the 'Select and Mask' workspace and offers tips for dealing with complex subjects. The tutorial aims to give users a solid understanding of background removal without delving into complex jargon.
Takeaways
- 🔍 **Select and Mask Tool**: Beginners can remove backgrounds by using the 'Select Subject' button in the Properties panel or with selection tools like the Magic Wand or Quick Selection Tool.
- 🎨 **Layer Masks**: Photoshop uses layer masks to hide and reveal parts of a layer, with black representing transparency and white representing full visibility.
- 🔧 **Magic Wand Tool**: Great for selecting areas of a single color, with options to adjust sample size and tolerance for more precise selections.
- 📐 **Object Selection Tool**: Allows for more detailed selections by defining an area and letting Photoshop find edges within that area; also includes an AI feature for easier object selection.
- 🖌 **Select and Mask Refinement**: For complex areas like hair, use 'Refine Hair' and 'Refine Edge Brush' tools to improve the selection and 'Decontaminate Colors' to clean up any haloing.
- 📈 **Color Range Selection**: A powerful technique for backgrounds of a solid color, allowing for complex selections like curly hair by sampling colors and inverting the selection.
- ➡️ **Contiguous Option**: When selected, ensures that only pixels touching the clicked area are included in the selection, which is useful for keeping the subject separate from the background.
- 🖇️ **Combining Techniques**: For complicated subjects and simple backgrounds, combine the Color Range selection with the Select Subject tool for a clean and easy background removal.
- 🌟 **Auto Selection Limitations**: The 'Select Subject' feature may not always accurately select the desired subject, especially in complex images, necessitating manual selection methods.
- 🔄 **Inverting Selections**: In some cases, like with the Color Range tool, inverting the selection can help to isolate the subject on a simple background.
- ✅ **Final Touches**: After the main background is removed, use a brush tool to manually paint over areas that need refinement, ensuring a clean final result.
Q & A
What are the four techniques for removing backgrounds in Photoshop discussed in the transcript?
-The four techniques discussed are: 1) Using the 'Remove Background' button in the properties panel, 2) Using the Magic Wand tool, 3) Using the Object Selection tool, and 4) Using the Select Color Range method.
How does the 'Remove Background' button in the properties panel work?
-The 'Remove Background' button automatically selects the subject and removes the background by applying it onto a layer mask, where black represents transparency and white represents visibility.
What is the purpose of the Magic Wand tool in Photoshop?
-The Magic Wand tool is used to select areas of a similar color in an image by clicking on a pixel, turning that color into a selection.
What does the 'Sample Size' setting in the Magic Wand tool determine?
-The 'Sample Size' determines the amount of color that the tool will turn into a selection when clicking on the canvas.
What is the role of the 'Contiguous' option when making a selection with the Magic Wand tool?
-The 'Contiguous' option ensures that only pixels that are touching are selected, preventing the selection from spreading to other areas of the photo that are not directly connected.
How does the Object Selection tool differ from the Magic Wand tool?
-The Object Selection tool allows for more precise selection by defining a specific area and then letting Photoshop find edges within that area to create a selection. It also has AI capabilities to select multiple objects easily.
What is the 'Select and Mask' workspace used for?
-The 'Select and Mask' workspace is used for refining selections, especially for complex areas like hair, by using tools such as the refine hair button, quick selection tool, and refine edge brush.
How can the 'Select Color Range' method be useful for removing backgrounds?
-The 'Select Color Range' method is useful for removing backgrounds that are a single color, as it samples colors in the photo and turns them into a selection, making it easier to separate the subject from a uniform background.
What is the benefit of using the 'Select Subject' button in combination with other selection methods?
-Using the 'Select Subject' button in combination with other selection methods allows for quick touch-ups and refinements of the selection, especially for areas that were difficult to select automatically.
Why might a beginner prefer using the 'Remove Background' button for simplicity?
-A beginner might prefer using the 'Remove Background' button because it requires minimal steps and technical knowledge, providing quick results with just a single click after selecting the subject.
What are some limitations of the 'Remove Background' button that might lead to using other tools?
-The 'Remove Background' button might not accurately select the desired subject or might not recognize the subject in complex images, leading to the need for more manual selection methods.
How can one access more advanced tutorials for removing backgrounds in Photoshop?
-For more advanced tutorials, one can look for additional videos or guides from the same source, such as bewellcreative.com, or search for tutorials specifically aimed at a more advanced audience.
Outlines
🔍 Introduction to Background Removal Techniques in Photoshop
The video begins by introducing four easy methods to remove backgrounds in Photoshop, suitable for beginners. Brandon from bewellcreative.com demonstrates the first technique using the 'Remove Background' button found in the Properties panel. He explains how to unlock layers and use the layer mask to hide or show parts of the image. The second method involves using selection tools like the Object Selection Tool, Quick Selection Tool, or Magic Wand Tool with the 'Select Subject' option for a quick selection. The video also mentions the limitations of these simple techniques and hints at more advanced methods for complex images.
🎨 Using the Magic Wand Tool for Color-Based Selections
The Magic Wand Tool is introduced as a method for selecting areas of similar color. The video explains the importance of the Sample Size and Tolerance settings, as well as the Anti-alias and Contiguous options for refining the selection. Brandon shows how to use the tool to select the sky in an image and remove it by inverting the selection and applying a layer mask. However, he acknowledges the limitations of the Magic Wand Tool for images with multiple colors or complex subjects.
🖋️ Refining Selections with the Object Selection Tool
The Object Selection Tool is presented as a more controlled method for selecting specific areas of an image. Brandon demonstrates how to define an area using a Lasso or Rectangle mode and let Photoshop find edges within that area. He also mentions an AI feature that allows the tool to automatically detect and select subjects. For areas like hair that are difficult to select, the 'Select and Mask' workspace with the 'Refine Hair' button and 'Refine Edge Brush' is shown to improve the selection. Brandon also discusses the 'Decontaminate Colors' option to help with complex selections.
🌈 Advanced Techniques for Complex Backgrounds
The video concludes with a combination of techniques for removing backgrounds with simple colors while dealing with complex subjects like curly hair. Brandon introduces the 'Select Color Range' method, which samples colors to create a selection. He shows how to use the tool on a white background to select it while excluding the subject. After inverting the selection and adding a layer mask, he uses the 'Select Subject' feature to refine areas that were not perfectly selected. The video ends with an invitation for viewers to request more advanced tutorials on complex selections and a reminder to check out other tutorials for professional techniques.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photoshop
💡Layer Mask
💡Select Subject
💡Magic Wand Tool
💡Object Selection Tool
💡Select and Mask
💡Color Range
💡Layer
💡Refine Edge Brush
💡Decontaminate Colors
💡Invert Selection
Highlights
Learn four easy ways to remove backgrounds in Photoshop for beginners.
One-button technique to remove backgrounds using the 'Remove Background' option in the Properties panel.
Unlocking layers and using layer masks for non-destructive editing.
Understanding the transparency concept in layer masks: black for transparent and white for visible.
Alternative method to remove background without Properties panel using selection tools.
Using the Magic Wand tool for color-based selections with adjustable sample size and tolerance.
The importance of the 'Anti-alias' and 'Contiguous' options for clean and connected selections.
Inverting selections to remove backgrounds effectively using layer masks.
Limitations of the Magic Wand tool for complex images with multiple colors.
Introduction to the Object Selection tool for more precise and easier selections.
Utilizing AI in the Object Selection tool for automatically selecting subjects.
Refining selections with the 'Select and Mask' workspace for complex details like hair.
Techniques to fix issues like 'ghosting' or 'haloning' in selections using 'Decontaminate Colors'.
Combining selection methods for complicated subjects on simple backgrounds.
Using the 'Select Color Range' tool for simple background removal with complicated subjects.
Refining selections with the 'Select Subject' tool after using 'Select Color Range'.
Painting on subjects without spilling over edges using the Brush tool with a specific color.
Advanced techniques for professional-level background removal discussed in a linked video.
Tips for creating precise and accurate selections in Photoshop for professional results.
