How To Remove a Difficult Background in Photoshop (Tutorial)

VerticDesigns
4 Apr 202203:35

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

00:00

🎨 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

Photoshop is a widely used image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. It is known for its powerful tools that allow users to manipulate and enhance digital images. In the context of the video, it is the primary tool being used to demonstrate how to remove complex backgrounds from an image.

💡Layer

In Photoshop, a layer is a transparency that can be edited individually without affecting other layers. It is a fundamental concept in the video as the process of unlocking and manipulating layers is crucial for removing the background.

💡Threshold

Threshold is an adjustment in Photoshop that converts an image to high contrast black and white. It is used in the video to separate the foreground elements, like a tree and its leaves, from the background by adjusting the contrast levels.

💡Smart Object

A smart object in Photoshop is a container that allows users to store a copy of an image's original content. In the video, a smart object is created and used as a reference layer to help with the selection process during background removal.

💡Color Range

Color Range is a selection tool in Photoshop that allows for the selection of a specific color or range of colors within an image. It is used in the video to select and separate the white areas from the black, aiding in the isolation of the desired image elements.

💡Fuzziness

Fuzziness in the context of the Color Range tool refers to the tolerance level for selecting colors that are similar to the clicked color. A higher fuzziness value, such as the 200 used in the video, allows for a broader selection of colors, which can be helpful in complex images.

💡Polygonal Lasso Tool

The Polygonal Lasso Tool is a selection tool in Photoshop that allows for the creation of straight-edged selections. It is used in the video to manually refine the selection around the image's edges, removing unwanted areas.

💡Mask

A mask in Photoshop is a layer element that hides or reveals parts of the layer beneath it. In the video, a mask is applied to the main image layer to hide the selected background, effectively removing it from the image.

💡Invert Selection

Inverting a selection in Photoshop means to select the opposite of the current selection. This is demonstrated in the video by using the Ctrl+I (or Command+I on a Mac) shortcut to switch between the background and the main image, which is a common technique for refining selections.

💡Complex Background

A complex background refers to an intricate or detailed backdrop in an image that can be challenging to separate from the main subject. The video's main theme revolves around techniques for removing such backgrounds using Photoshop tools and adjustments.

💡Reference Layer

A reference layer in Photoshop is a layer that is used for guidance or visual aid during the editing process. In the video, a threshold layer is converted into a smart object and used as a reference to assist with the selection and removal of the background.

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

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