While shooting photographs, we often come across irrelevant or not-so-appealing background objects, that spoil the aesthetics of our photographs. It sometimes comes in the way of expressing one’s thoughts or ideas most effectively. This is where background removal comes into play and most people look for ways how to remove background in Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop can help you greatly in such cases where you want to remove unwanted objects from the background to make the main theme stand out and draw attention toward it. Moreover, it is an essential component to know to enhance the visual craft of photography and editing.
5 Ways on How To Remove Background In Photoshop
It doesn’t matter whether you are a novice or a professional photographer or editor when it comes to giving your craft a classy and seamless touch. Fortunately, Photoshop has the solution to your woes. But one needs to perfect the skill to achieve the desired result.
Here, we have presented step by step guide to help you figure out how to remove background in Photoshop. Have a look.
Step 1- Choose The Image
Open the Photoshop app on your device, preferably a PC or a tablet. Choose the image that you want to work on by removing the background from it. Click ‘File’ and ‘Open’ from the top right side of the menu. Once you have opened the image, duplicate the background layer so that the original image remains in case you are not happy with the result and want to start afresh.
Step 2-Create A Duplicate Image
Go to ‘Layer’ and then ‘Duplicate Layer’ to create a duplicate image to work on. This saves your original image in case you are not satisfied with the result. It allows you to edit the artwork and helps you compare it with the newly created one. The shortcut for creating a layer on MacOS is Command + J and Ctrl + J on Windows.
Step 3- Choose The Appropriate Technique
The next step on how to remove background in Photoshop would be to choose the right technique for removal of background depending on the image requirements. To remove a solid background without much editing needs, you can use the Magic Wand feature or Quick Selection Tool.
If the image’s background is a bit complex and has complex edges to remove, then the feature of Pen Tools or Channels will give you better results.
Using Magic Wand
Magic Wand is one the simplest techniques to remove unwanted background in an image. The tool works by masking a certain portion of the image by selecting pixels similar to the one in the background. Select ‘Magic Wand’ from the toolbar and click on the areas that you want to get rid of.
Adjust the tolerance level depending on the area of the background. It lets you select a larger area at a time. To refine the image further, right-click on the menu and choose ” refine edge” to work on its smoothening.
Using Background Eraser Tool
Background tool is another simple way to remove the background from the image. You can use it to remove the selected areas just like an eraser. Mostly, it is used to erase the contrasts between the subject and the background. Select it from the tool menu and drag it to the areas that you want to remove to give a more precise and refined look.
Using Pen Tools
To Pen Tool helps you create a refined and precise image giving you the freedom to remove the background around your subject. Click along the edges of the subject to create a path. After finishing creating a path, choose, “Make Selection” and select the background to remove it.
Using Channels
The channels tool is mostly used by professionals to make alterations in their final image and is extremely precise. For this reason, it is used to retain the minute objects such as leaves, hairs, etc. while removing the background. It works by using an individual color channel to go with the contrast between the subject and the background.
Selecting appropriate levels of contrast adjustments can be applied to mask the original image to remove the background image while retaining the areas or objects that you want to keep. To further refine the edges, you can use a brush to edit and erase the background.
Step 4- Make Further Adjustments
Another very important step in how to remove background in Photoshop is to make adjustments in the lighting, colors, blending, etc. Add final touches to the image before using it for further use. By using blending options, it helps your subject to blend seamlessly with your newly created background.
Step 5- Save The New Selection
Once you get your desired selection and are satisfied with it, select the subject from the original image and copy it to the new layer that you just created. To save it, select ‘save selection’ from the menu and save it in the PSD format.
Click on ‘File’ and then ‘Save As’ and select PSD format to save it by naming it. For using the image on the web, export it in JPEG or PNG format. Go to File and select ‘Export’ to choose the appropriate format depending on where and how you want to use the image.
Conclusion
Knowing how to remove the background or make alterations to it can enhance the visual appeal of your image. It helps you achieve a professional and cleaner-looking image. We hope our comprehensive guide on how to remove background in Photoshop helps you enhance your craft and gives you the desired result every time.
FAQs
1. How does Magic Wand help in removing the background?
Magic Wand in Photoshop helps you to remove unwanted objects or make necessary alterations to the background of your image. You can select the Magic Wand tool and drag it on areas of the image that you want to get rid of and it efficiently removes them.
2. Is it difficult to use the Channels tool in Photoshop to remove the background?
Channels tools in Photoshop are not difficult to use once you learn how to master the technique. It is mostly used by professionals as it involves minute details.
3. How can I remove the background from my image in Photoshop?
You can use various tools to remove the background or make necessary alterations to it, such as Magic Wand, Eraser Tool, Channels, Pen Tools, etc.