How To Remove a Background In Photoshop [For Beginners!]
TLDRIn this tutorial aimed at beginners, the presenter demonstrates how to remove the background from a photo in Photoshop. The process involves using the Select and Mask workspace, which provides tools for precise selections and masks. The presenter shows how to use the Quick Selection Tool and Adobe Sensei's AI to make selections, and then refines the selection by adding missing details and adjusting the mask edge for a realistic cutout. The video also covers techniques for fine-tuning the selection around hair and using the Refine Hair button for better results. Finally, the presenter adds a new background to the image and briefly touches on advanced topics like shadows, highlights, and color matching for a more realistic composite.
Takeaways
- 🎨 **Beginner-Friendly Tutorial**: The video is designed for beginners, ensuring a slow pace and clear, digestible information.
- 📸 **Image Selection**: The tutorial uses an image of a woman running through a bridge to demonstrate the background removal process.
- 🔍 **Select and Mask Workspace**: This dedicated workspace in Photoshop is introduced for making precise selections and masks.
- 🖌️ **Quick Selection Tool**: Utilized for making an initial selection by clicking and dragging over the image to automatically find edges.
- 🤖 **Adobe Sensei AI**: Showcases the use of AI for selections, including the 'Select Subject' button for easy subject identification.
- 👣 **Fine-Tuning the Selection**: After the initial selection, the video explains how to refine it, including adding missed areas and fixing mask edges.
- 🌟 **Global Refinements**: Discusses the use of sliders like Smooth, Feather, Contrast, and Shift Edge to improve the mask's edges.
- 🧑 **Separate Selections for Body and Hair**: Recommends separating the selection process into two steps for the body and hair for better results.
- 🖱️ **Refine Edge Brush Tool**: Introduced for detailed work on complex areas like hair, with the option to use the 'Refine Hair' button in newer Photoshop versions.
- 🎭 **Layer Mask for Non-Destructive Editing**: Emphasizes the use of Layer Masks to hide pixels non-destructively, allowing for adjustments and refinements.
- 🌈 **Background Replacement**: Demonstrates how to place a new background behind the subject using the Place Embedded feature.
- ✅ **Final Touches**: Highlights the possibility of further adjustments using the Brush Tool on the Layer Mask to perfect the final image.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is how to remove backgrounds in Photoshop, specifically for beginners.
What is the first step to remove the background in the image?
-The first step is to open the image in Photoshop and go into Select, then Select and Mask to access the dedicated workspace for making precise selections and masks.
What tool can be used to make an initial selection of a specific object in the image?
-The Quick Selection Tool can be used to make an initial selection by clicking-and-dragging over the area you want to select, and Photoshop will automatically find the edges.
How can Adobe Sensei be utilized in the selection process?
-Adobe Sensei, an artificial intelligence technology, can be used to make selections by clicking on the Select Subject button, which allows Photoshop to analyze the image and select the main subject.
What is the purpose of the Global Refinements sliders?
-The Global Refinements sliders, including Smooth, Feather, Contrast, and Shift Edge, are used to control and refine the edges of the mask, helping to create a more realistic and clean cutout.
How can one correct imperfections in the mask?
-Imperfections in the mask can be corrected by using the Brush Tool to paint away unwanted areas with the Minus option enabled, focusing on fine-tuning small details.
Why should hair be selected separately from the body?
-Hair should be selected separately from the body because it often requires a different selection technique and refinement adjustments due to its intricate details and texture.
What is a Layer Mask in Photoshop?
-A Layer Mask in Photoshop is a non-destructive way of hiding or revealing certain parts of an image. It allows for flexibility as you can always go back and edit or reveal hidden pixels.
How can you add a new background to an image in Photoshop?
-To add a new background, you can go to File and select Place Embedded, then place the new background image over the existing one and commit the changes.
What is the Remove Background button in the Properties Panel used for?
-The Remove Background button uses the same artificial intelligence as the Select and Mask Workspace to analyze the image, make a selection, and create a Layer Mask all at once.
What are some advanced techniques not covered in the video for making a composite look realistic?
-Advanced techniques not covered include adding shadows, highlights, and color matching to blend the foreground element seamlessly with a completely different background.
How can one access more tutorials on masking in Photoshop?
-More tutorials on masking can be found by following the creator's recommendations, which may include checking out specific videos that focus on the Minimum and Maximum Filter tools for masking.
Outlines
🎨 Introduction to Background Removal in Photoshop
The video begins with an introduction to removing backgrounds in Photoshop, tailored for beginners. The presenter promises a slow-paced tutorial that breaks down the process into manageable steps. Viewers are encouraged to follow along with a provided image and to engage with the content by liking and subscribing to the Photoshop Training Channel. The image in focus is of a woman running through a bridge, and the goal is to remove the background using a versatile technique applicable in most cases. The presenter emphasizes the availability of multiple methods in Photoshop but focuses on a straightforward approach.
🔍 Selecting and Masking in Photoshop
The presenter guides viewers through the process of making precise selections and masks using the Select and Mask workspace in Photoshop. The interface is introduced along with its toolbar, options bar, and adjustable properties. The default Onionskin mode is explained, which allows for a semi-transparent view of the selected pixels against the original image. Various tools are highlighted, including the Quick Selection Tool and Adobe Sensei's AI-powered Select Subject feature for easy subject selection. The Object Selection Tool is also mentioned for complex images with multiple subjects. The presenter demonstrates how to refine the selection, including adding missing details and fixing mask edges using global refinement sliders for a realistic cutout.
🖌️ Refining Hair and Finalizing the Mask
The presenter discusses the separate selection process for the model's hair, emphasizing the use of the Refine Edge Brush Tool for detailed work. The video covers the use of the Refine Hair button in newer versions of Photoshop, which utilizes AI to assist with complex selections like hair. However, the presenter opts for manual adjustments for better control. After refining the hair, the selection is output as a Layer Mask, allowing for a non-destructive editing process. The presenter then demonstrates how to add a solid color background and make final adjustments to the mask using the Brush Tool. A shortcut for swapping foreground and background colors is shared, and the presenter shows how to use the Remove Background button for quick mask creation. Finally, the video concludes with instructions on how to place a new background into the image, and the presenter teases more advanced tutorials for shadow and color matching.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photoshop
💡Background Removal
💡Select and Mask
💡Quick Selection Tool
💡Adobe Sensei
💡Layer Mask
💡Refine Edge Brush Tool
💡Global Refinements
💡Object Selection Tool
💡Artificial Intelligence
💡Foreground and Background Colors
Highlights
This tutorial is designed for beginners to learn how to remove backgrounds in Photoshop.
The presenter will guide through the process at a slow pace for easy understanding.
A link to download the same photo used in the tutorial is provided in the video description.
The Select and Mask workspace in Photoshop is introduced for making precise selections.
Quick Selection Tool can be used for selecting specific areas by clicking and dragging over the image.
Adobe Sensei's AI capabilities are demonstrated for automatically selecting the main subject in an image.
The Object Selection Tool is showcased for isolating a single subject when there are multiple in the image.
Manual fine-tuning of the selection is often required after using the automatic selection tools.
Global Refinements sliders such as Smooth, Feather, Contrast, and Shift Edge are used to adjust mask edges.
A technique to remove halos or fringing around the edges of a selection is explained.
The Refine Edge Brush Tool is introduced for detailed selection of complex areas like hair.
Photoshop 2021's Refine Hair button is shown for AI-assisted selection of hair.
A Layer Mask is used for non-destructive removal of the background.
The ability to adjust and paint on the Layer Mask for fine-tuning is demonstrated.
An alternative quick mask creation using the Remove Background button is mentioned.
Adding a new background to the image is shown using the Place Embedded feature.
Advanced techniques such as shadows, highlights, and color matching for a realistic composite are referenced for further learning.
Additional tutorials on masking, including the use of Minimum and Maximum Filter, are recommended for viewers interested in more advanced masking techniques.
The presenter, Jesus Ramirez, encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more Photoshop tutorials.
