How To Remove a Difficult Background in Photoshop (Tutorial)
TLDRIn this Photoshop tutorial by Vertic Designs, learn how to remove complex backgrounds from your images. Start by unlocking the layer and using the Threshold adjustment to separate the desired elements from the background. Adjust the threshold level to maximize contrast between the subject and the background. Copy the layer, convert it into a smart object for reference, and use the Color Range tool to select the lighter areas. Fine-tune the selection with the Polygonal Lasso tool, ensuring to remove unwanted selections. Hide the reference and threshold layers, then use the mask function to isolate the subject from the background. Invert the selection to complete the background removal process. This method is effective for intricate images, providing a clean and professional result.
Takeaways
- 🔓 Unlock the image layer to begin editing.
- 🎨 Use the 'Threshold' adjustment to separate the subject from the background.
- 📐 Adjust the threshold slider to maximize contrast between the subject and background.
- 🖼️ Copy the threshold layer and convert it into a smart object for reference.
- 🌈 Utilize 'Color Range' to select and separate white and black areas.
- 🔍 Set the fuzziness to 200 for a precise selection.
- ✂️ Use the 'Polygonal Lasso Tool' to refine the selection by adding or subtracting areas.
- 🖱️ Hide the reference and threshold layers once the selection is complete.
- ➖ Deselect unwanted areas by holding Alt and using the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
- 🔄 Close the selection loop by connecting the starting point to the endpoint.
- 🎭 Invert the selection to isolate the subject and remove the background.
Q & A
What is the first step to remove a complex background in Photoshop?
-The first step is to unlock the layer by left-clicking on the lock icon.
Which adjustment tool is used to separate the tree and leaves from the background?
-The Threshold adjustment tool is used to separate the tree and leaves from the background.
What is the purpose of setting a threshold level?
-The purpose of setting a threshold level is to make the areas you want to keep as dark as possible, which helps in separating them from the background.
How do you create a copy of the threshold layer?
-You hold Shift and click on the top layer, then press Ctrl or Command + J to create a copy.
What is the role of converting the copied layer into a smart object?
-Converting the copied layer into a smart object allows you to use it as a reference while working on the image.
How does the Color Range tool help in selecting areas of the image?
-The Color Range tool helps in selecting areas by separating the white and black areas from each other.
What is the Fuzziness setting used for when using the Color Range tool?
-The Fuzziness setting is used to determine the range of colors that will be selected. A higher fuzziness value includes more colors in the selection.
How do you fix unwanted selections made by the Color Range tool?
-You can use the Polygonal Lasso tool to manually add or subtract from the selection to fix unwanted areas.
What is the significance of hiding the reference and threshold layers?
-Hiding the reference and threshold layers allows you to work on the selection more clearly without visual distractions.
How do you remove unwanted areas from the selection using the Polygonal Lasso tool?
-You hold Alt (to swap to the minus selection mode), left-click to subtract from the selection, and then release Alt to continue refining the selection.
What is the final step to remove the background from the image?
-The final step is to select the main image, click on the mask button at the bottom, and invert the selection with Ctrl or Command + I.
Why is it important to invert the selection after creating the mask?
-Inverting the selection ensures that the background is removed and the main subject of the image is retained.
Outlines
🎨 Photoshop Tutorial: Removing Complex Backgrounds
This tutorial focuses on removing complex backgrounds in Photoshop. It begins by unlocking the layer and using the 'Threshold' adjustment to separate the subject from the background. The goal is to darken the areas to keep, and for this image, a threshold level of 144 works well. After setting the threshold, a copy of the layer is made and converted into a smart object for reference. The 'Color Range' selection tool is then used to separate the white and black areas, with the 'Fuzziness' set to 200. The selection may include unwanted parts, which are corrected using the 'Polygonal Lasso' tool. The reference and threshold layers are hidden, and the selection is refined by subtracting the unwanted areas. Finally, the background is removed by selecting the main image and clicking the 'Mask' button. Inverting the selection with Ctrl or Command + I completes the background removal process.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photoshop
💡Layer
💡Threshold
💡Smart Object
💡Color Range
💡Fuzziness
💡Polygonal Lasso Tool
💡Mask
💡Invert Selection
💡Complex Background
💡Reference Layer
Highlights
Unlock the layer to remove the background in Photoshop
Use the Threshold adjustment to separate the subject from the background
Adjust the Threshold slider to maximize contrast between the subject and background
Create a copy of the Threshold layer and convert it into a Smart Object
Utilize the Select > Color Range tool to isolate the subject from the background
Select the white areas to separate them from the black
Adjust the fuzziness to 200 for better selection accuracy
Use the Polygonal Lasso tool to refine the selection
Hide the reference and Threshold layers to focus on the selection
Hold Alt and use the Polygonal Lasso tool to subtract from the selection
Create a continuous selection around the subject's edge
Invert the selection to isolate the subject from the unwanted background
Select the main image and click the Mask button to apply the selection
Invert the mask to complete the background removal
Finalize the image with a clean subject and no background
This method is effective for removing complex backgrounds in Photoshop
Smart Object conversion allows for non-destructive editing
Threshold adjustment is a powerful tool for high-contrast separations
Color Range tool provides precise control over background removal
Polygonal Lasso tool is versatile for adding or subtracting from selections