Two POWERFUL Photoshop Cut Out Techniques - Difficult Selections Made FAST and EASY
TLDRIn this tutorial from The Photoshop Training Channel, Jesus Ramirez demonstrates two advanced techniques for cutting out objects, such as trees, in Photoshop. The first method involves using the Blend If options to hide or show pixels based on the luminosity of the layer, effectively removing the background by manipulating the blue channel. The second method leverages the Channels panel to create a high-contrast selection between the foreground and background, which is then inverted and used to create a layer mask. This allows for intricate selections and the application of effects, such as a sunset overlay, to enhance the image. The video is a valuable resource for Photoshop users looking to refine their selection and masking skills.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Use the Blend If options in Photoshop to cut out elements like trees by manipulating the luminosity or specific color channels.
- 🔍 The blue channel often contains the most information for isolating elements against a blue sky background.
- 🎨 Adjust the 'This Layer' or 'Underlying Layer' controls in Blend If to show or hide pixels based on the selected channel's luminosity.
- 📉 By dragging the blue control to the left, you can hide the sky and select the tree more easily.
- 💡 Holding Alt (Option on Mac) and clicking the blue control point allows for a smoother transition between visible and hidden pixels.
- 🌈 Converting a layer to a Smart Object after using Blend If reveals true transparency and allows for non-destructive editing.
- 🖌️ The Channels panel offers a powerful method for making complex selections with high contrast between the subject and background.
- 🔧 Duplicate the channel with the most contrast and use various tools like Levels, Dodge, and Burn to refine the selection into solid black and white.
- ⚫️ Inverting the colors (Ctrl+I or Command+I on Mac) changes the selection from sky to tree when using the Channels panel method.
- 🔵 Load the selection from the duplicated channel (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+6 for blue on a PC) to select the tree against the sky.
- 🎭 Creating a layer mask from the selected area allows for precise cutting out and further creative editing, such as adding a sunset overlay.
- 📚 For more advanced masking techniques, consider checking out tutorials on advanced hair masking.
Q & A
What are the two powerful methods to cut out objects in Photoshop mentioned in the video?
-The two powerful methods mentioned in the video are using the Blend If options and utilizing the Channels panel.
How does the Blend If option work in Photoshop?
-The Blend If option works by using the luminosity or color channels to show or hide pixels, allowing for the selection of specific parts of an image based on color or brightness information.
Why is the blue channel the best choice for cutting out the tree from the sky in the example?
-The blue channel is the best choice because the sky is blue, and it contains a lot of information relevant to the pixels that are trying to be selected, providing a stronger contrast for the selection.
How can you create a smoother transition when using the Blend If option?
-You can create a smoother transition by holding the Alt or Option key on the Mac and clicking on the control point, then dragging it to split it in half. This adjusts the transition between the visible and hidden pixels.
What is the significance of converting a layer to a Smart Object in Photoshop?
-Converting a layer to a Smart Object allows for non-destructive editing, making it possible to see and edit transparency and effects without altering the original image data.
How does the Channels panel help in making complicated selections in Photoshop?
-The Channels panel displays color channels (red, green, blue) that can be used to identify the most contrasting differences between the foreground and background, aiding in creating precise selections.
What are some techniques to make solid black and white areas in the Channels panel?
-Techniques include using the Image > Adjustments > Levels to adjust the black and white points, filling with a solid color, using the Apply Image command with blending modes, and using the dodge and burn tools to adjust highlights and shadows.
How can you invert the colors in a channel to select the desired object?
-You can invert the colors by pressing Ctrl + I (Command + I on the Mac), which changes white to black and black to white, allowing you to select the previously unselected areas.
What is the purpose of creating a layer mask after selecting the tree using the Channels panel?
-Creating a layer mask after the selection allows you to isolate the selected tree from the rest of the image, enabling further adjustments and effects to be applied to the tree without affecting the original image.
How does the video demonstrate the application of the selected tree in a creative way?
-The video demonstrates the application by adding a sunset overlay image below the selected tree layer, then using a curves adjustment layer and color adjustments to create a realistic sunset effect on the tree.
Outlines
🌲 Cutting Out Trees with Blend If
In this segment, Jesus Ramirez introduces two techniques for cutting out trees in Photoshop that can be applied to other subjects as well. The first method involves using the Blend If options in the Layer Style window. Ramirez explains that the luminosity of the layer or a specific channel can be used to show or hide pixels. He demonstrates using the blue channel since the sky is blue, which helps in hiding the sky to cut out the tree. By adjusting the 'This layer' control, Ramirez shows how to hide the blue pixels to select everything that is not blue, creating a smoother transition. This technique is not a true transparency until the layer is converted to a Smart Object, which then allows for actual transparency and the ability to edit the Blend If settings for further adjustments.
📸 Using Channels for Complex Selections
The second method discussed is more widely known but is still a powerful tool for making complex selections using the Channels panel. Ramirez highlights the importance of choosing the channel with the most contrast between the subject and the background, in this case, the blue channel. He explains how to duplicate the channel and then make the image solid black and white using various techniques such as Levels adjustment, filling with color, Apply Image command, and dodge and burn tools. After inverting the colors to select the tree and not the sky, Ramirez demonstrates how to load the channel as a selection and create a layer mask, effectively cutting out the tree. He also shows how to enhance the image with a sunset overlay and adjustment layers to create a compelling effect.
🎨 Enhancing with Color Channels
In the final paragraph, Ramirez adds more depth to the sunset effect by adjusting the red channel to increase the red light in the image. He encourages viewers to check out his Advance Hair Masking tutorial for more advanced cut-out and masking techniques. Ramirez also invites new viewers to subscribe to The Photoshop Training Channel and turn on notifications to stay updated with his tutorials. He concludes by thanking the viewers for watching and looks forward to their next interaction.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photoshop
💡Blend If
💡Luminosity
💡Layer Style
💡Smart Object
💡Channels
💡Selection
💡Layer Mask
💡Curves Adjustment Layer
💡Sunset Overlay
💡Non-Destructive Editing
Highlights
Two powerful Photoshop techniques for cutting out trees are introduced.
The techniques can be applied to objects other than trees.
Blend If options in Layer Style window can be used for masking or cutting out.
Luminosity of the layer can show or hide pixels in Blend If.
Blue channel is often the best choice for selecting sky pixels due to its color.
Adjusting 'This layer' control in Blend If can hide unwanted pixels.
Splitting the 'This layer' control point creates a smoother transition.
Converting a layer to a Smart Object reveals true transparency.
Editing the Blend If within a Smart Object allows for non-destructive adjustments.
Channels panel can be used to make complicated selections easily.
The blue channel often provides the most contrast between foreground and background.
Duplicating the blue channel and adjusting levels can solidify colors for selection.
Using dodge and burn tools can refine highlights and shadows for better selection.
Inverting colors in the channel selection helps to isolate the desired object.
Loading the channel as a selection allows for precise masking.
Creating a layer mask from the selection effectively cuts out the object.
Adjustment layers can be used to modify the appearance of the cut-out object.
The Advance Hair Masking tutorial provides further information on cut outs and masking.
Subscribing to The Photoshop Training Channel ensures notification of new tutorials.
