Clever Trick to Cut Out an Image in Photoshop

Cristi Kerekes
30 May 202207:38

TLDRIn this tutorial, the host demonstrates a professional technique for cutting out an image in Photoshop, specifically addressing common issues like fringing and loss of detail. The process starts with the Quick Selection Tool and the 'Select Subject' feature for an initial selection. Refinement is achieved through 'Select and Mask' with the 'Refine Edge Brush' tool, focusing on areas where the sky is visible behind the subject. The tutorial then delves into advanced techniques, such as decontaminating colors, feathering, and contrast adjustments, to create a clean and detailed selection. To correct color issues on the edges of the leaves, a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer is used. The video also shows how to enhance details by inverting a layer mask and using a Solid Color adjustment layer. The host concludes by illustrating how to match the edges of the selection with a new background, providing a natural and realistic result. The summary emphasizes the importance of practice in mastering selection techniques for various Photoshop effects.

Takeaways

  • 🖼️ Use the Quick Selection Tool and 'Select Subject' to make an initial selection of the image.
  • 🎨 Press 'Q' to better view the selection and refine it with 'Select and Mask' and the 'Refine Edge Brush'.
  • 🚫 Avoid using the 'Decontaminate Colors' option as it can introduce artifacts and poor results.
  • 🌿 Check the mask with a black and white view to ensure all areas are correctly included in the selection.
  • 💧 Address color issues on leaf edges by using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to match leaf colors.
  • 🔍 Zoom in closely to target and adjust specific problematic color areas like cyan fringing.
  • ➕ Duplicate the layer for further refinement and rename it for clarity.
  • 🌈 Add a Solid Color adjustment layer to use as a background check for the selection.
  • ⭐️ Invert the layer mask and clip it to enhance the edges of the selection.
  • 🔄 Reload the selection from the layer mask to contract it by a pixel or two for better precision.
  • 🌳 Hold Ctrl and click on the layer mask to bring back the selection of the tree for further adjustments.
  • 🖌️ Double click the Solid Color adjustment layer to easily change the color of the edges to match a new sky.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue with the initial result of removing the background from an image?

    -The main issue is the presence of bluish fringing on the leaves and the edges of the leaves being brighter, which also results in a loss of details.

  • Which tool in Photoshop is used as the first step to select the subject in the image?

    -The Quick Selection Tool with the 'Select Subject' button is used as the first step.

  • How does pressing 'Q' on the keyboard help in refining the selection?

    -Pressing 'Q' allows you to see the selection better and identify areas that need refinement.

  • What is the purpose of using the 'Refine Edge Brush' tool in the selection process?

    -The 'Refine Edge Brush' tool is used to brush over areas where the sky is still visible behind the leaves, making the selection process easier and resulting in a better mask.

  • Why is it important to check the masking with the 'Black and White' view?

    -Checking the masking with the 'Black and White' view helps to identify and fill in any areas that should be included in the selection but might have been missed.

  • What is the 'decontaminate colors' option and why should it be disabled?

    -The 'decontaminate colors' option attempts to remove color fringes from the selection, but it can introduce artifacts and make the selection look unnatural. It should be disabled for a better selection result.

  • How does adding a 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment layer help in solving color issues on the edges of the leaves?

    -A 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment layer allows you to target and adjust the problematic color, such as the aqua color on the edges of the leaves, to match the color of the leaves and make the selection look more natural.

  • What is the trick to bring back some details in the leaves for a better cut out?

    -The trick involves holding down Ctrl and clicking on the layer mask to reload the selection, which contracts the selection by one or two pixels, and then creating a solid color adjustment layer to enhance the edges of the original selection.

  • How can the color of the edges be changed to match a new sky in the image?

    -By double-clicking the solid color adjustment layer and choosing a color that matches the new sky, you can easily change the color of the edges to blend seamlessly with the new environment.

  • What is the benefit of using a 'Solid Color' adjustment layer in the process of cutting out an image?

    -A 'Solid Color' adjustment layer allows you to control the color and visibility of the edges, making it easier to adjust and match the selection with different backgrounds or skies.

  • Why is it recommended to practice working with selections in Photoshop?

    -Practicing with selections helps to improve the skill of creating realistic and natural-looking edits, which is essential for advanced techniques like blurring backgrounds or changing the environment of an image.

  • How can one subscribe to learn more tricks like the ones demonstrated in the script?

    -The viewer is encouraged to subscribe to the channel for more tutorials and tricks on advanced Photoshop techniques.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Background Removal and Selection Techniques in Photoshop

The first paragraph introduces a common issue encountered when removing backgrounds from images in Photoshop. It explains that a simple removal can result in fringing, loss of detail, and unwanted brightness around the edges. The paragraph then contrasts this with a professional technique that eliminates fringing and preserves details. The process involves using the Quick Selection Tool, the Select Subject feature, and refining the selection with the Select and Mask option. It also covers the use of a 'Refine Edge Brush' and checking the mask with black and white view. The paragraph advises against using the 'decontaminate colors' option, as it can produce artifacts. Instead, it suggests using a feather and contrast adjustment and placing the selection as a layer mask. Finally, it hints at a professional method to address color issues on the edges of the leaves by using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

05:00

🌴 Advanced Techniques for Natural-Looking Selections and Sky Replacement

The second paragraph delves into advanced techniques for refining selections and changing the background of an image, specifically focusing on a palm tree. It describes how to enhance the edges of the selection by duplicating the layer and inverting a solid color adjustment layer clipped to it. The paragraph also explains how to correct color issues on the edges of the leaves by using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer targeted to the problematic colors. Furthermore, it demonstrates how to bring back lost details in the leaves by loading the layer mask selection and creating a new solid color adjustment layer. The summary also includes a step-by-step guide on how to change the color of the edges to match a new sky, emphasizing the flexibility and control offered by this method. The paragraph concludes by encouraging practice and provides a call to action to subscribe for more such tutorials.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool is a feature in Adobe Photoshop that allows users to make selections of objects within an image quickly. It is used in the video to initially select the subject of the image, which is the tree. The tool works by identifying edges and differentiating the subject from the background. In the context of the video, it is the first step in the process of cutting out an image.

💡Select Subject

This is a function within the Quick Selection Tool that automates the selection process by identifying the main subject of the image. In the video, the instructor uses 'Select Subject' to quickly isolate the tree from its background, which is the first crucial step before refining the selection.

💡Refine Edge Brush

The Refine Edge Brush is a tool used to manually adjust the edges of a selection in Photoshop. It helps to smooth, feather, or add more contrast to the edges, making them more realistic. In the video, the instructor uses this brush to clean up the selection around the leaves, removing any fringing and improving the details.

💡Masking

Masking in Photoshop is the process of hiding or showing parts of a layer using a selection. It is a critical step in the video for refining the selection of the tree. The instructor checks the mask in black and white view to ensure that all desired parts of the tree are included in the selection.

💡Decontaminate Colors

This is an option in the Select and Mask feature of Photoshop that attempts to remove color fringes from a selection. However, as shown in the video, using 'Decontaminate Colors' can sometimes result in artifacts that degrade the quality of the selection. The instructor disables this option to avoid such issues.

💡Feather

Feathering in Photoshop creates a soft edge on a selection, which is useful for blending the selection into its surroundings. The instructor uses a feather value to smooth the edges of the selection, making it more natural when the tree is isolated from the background.

💡Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a non-destructive way to hide or reveal parts of a layer. It is used in the video to finalize the selection of the tree by applying it as a layer mask. This allows the tree to be separated from the background without losing the ability to edit the selection.

💡Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer

This is a type of adjustment layer in Photoshop used to modify the hue, saturation, and lightness of colors in an image. The instructor uses a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to correct the color fringes on the edges of the leaves, making the selection appear more natural.

💡Clipping Mask

A clipping mask allows the effects of a layer to be visible only on the layer directly below it. In the video, the instructor uses a clipping mask to apply the Hue/Saturation adjustment only to the tree layer, ensuring that the color correction doesn't affect other parts of the image.

💡Selection Contraction

Selection contraction is the process of reducing the size of a selection by a certain number of pixels. The instructor demonstrates that reloading a selection from a layer mask contracts the selection, which can be useful for fine-tuning the edges of the selection.

💡Solid Color Adjustment Layer

A solid color adjustment layer allows users to apply a flat color to an image, which can be used for various effects. In the video, the instructor uses this layer to enhance the edges of the tree selection and to test different sky colors, providing a way to match the tree edges to the new background.

Highlights

A clever trick for cutting out an image in Photoshop is presented to avoid fringing and improve edge details.

Using the Quick Selection Tool and 'Select Subject' button can quickly create an initial selection.

Refining the selection with 'Select and Mask' and the 'Refine Edge Brush' improves the mask quality.

Checking the mask with black and white view helps to identify areas that need adjustment.

Disabling the 'Decontaminate Colors' option prevents unwanted artifacts.

Adding a 'Hue/Saturation' adjustment layer can correct color issues on the edges of the leaves.

Clipping the 'Hue/Saturation' layer ensures it only affects the layer below.

Reloading the selection from a layer mask contracts the selection by one or two pixels.

Inverting the layer mask enhances the edges of the original selection.

Grouping and renaming layers helps to organize the steps between beginner and pro methods.

The pro method brings back more details and makes the image look more natural and realistic.

Changing the color of the edges can be easily done by double-clicking the 'Solid Color' layer.

Customizing the color, saturation, and brightness of the edges allows for better matching with the new sky.

Practicing with selections is crucial for achieving realistic effects in Photoshop.

Additional techniques, such as blurring backgrounds, may require further practice and refinement.

The presenter, Kristy, encourages viewers to subscribe for more tricks like this in the future.