How To Remove a Background In Photoshop [For Beginners]

Introduction

Are you struggling with rough, unrealistic edges when trying to remove backgrounds in Photoshop? Don't worry, you're not alone. In this tutorial for beginners, we will share with you the exact professional techniques used to remove backgrounds in Photoshop for movie and TV posters. Getting precise edges and maintaining editing flexibility are crucial in professional practice. Our goal is to teach you these pro-level techniques in a straightforward three-step formula. We will go slow and deliver the information in small digestible chunks so you can follow along. Stick around to the end, where we'll show you how to solve common problems when removing backgrounds and share some professional brushes.

Step 1: Selecting the main subject

In Photoshop, there are several options to remove the background, but instead of using the "remove background" button in the taskbar, we prefer using the "select and mask" option in the select menu. This workspace helps create precise selections and masks without the distractions of the entire Photoshop interface, providing more control and better results. You can start with the quick selection tool to select a specific object or use the "select subject" button to select the entire person. There is also an option to process the image on the device or through the Adobe cloud service for better selection results.

Step 2: Refining hard edges

After making the initial selection, we need to fine-tune it to get better edges. We can use the global refinement sliders to smooth and sharpen the edges. By using these adjustments, the edges appear smoother and more defined. If needed, we can also use the shift edge slider to contract or expand the selection to reduce edge halos.

Step 3: Selecting hair or intricate details

In this step, we focus on selecting hair or any intricate details that are not hard, sharp edges. We use the refine edge brush tool in the select and mask workspace to capture fine details that standard selection tools might miss. This tool analyzes the content and differentiates between the foreground and background, allowing us to paint along the edges of the subject's hair to create a better selection. We can also use the refined hair button for an AI-powered attempt to locate and adjust the hair.

After applying these three steps, we may have a perfectly cut-out background. However, there are some common issues you may encounter and how to solve them:

Keywords:

• Remove background
• Photoshop techniques
• Precise edges
• Editing flexibility
• Quick selection tool
• Select subject
• Cloud processing
• Creating selections
• Layer masks
• Refining edges
• Edge detection
• Hair selection
• Brush tool
• Fly-away hair
• Color cast

FAQ:

1. How do I create a precise selection in Photoshop? To create a precise selection, you can use the quick selection tool or the select subject button. Ensure you fine-tune the selection using manual adjustments or refining techniques.

2. Can I remove backgrounds without an internet connection in Photoshop? Yes, you can choose the device option in the select and mask workspace to process the image on your computer instead of relying on the cloud service for selection results.

3. How can I fix incomplete masks or over-masking? To fix incomplete masks, use the brush tool and paint with black on the layer mask to hide the remnants of the background or reveal hidden areas by painting with white.

4. What should I do if the edges of the selection appear blurry or sharp? If the edges appear blurry or sharp, you can use the global refinement sliders to smooth or sharpen the edges. Additionally, you can use the minimum filter or the blurry tool to adjust the edges locally.

5. How can I remove color spills around the edges of the subject? To remove color spills, create a new layer, change the blending mode to color, and use the brush tool to paint over the areas to remove the color cast.

Remember to practice and spend time refining your selections, as it can make a huge difference in achieving realistic results when removing backgrounds in Photoshop.