How to Remove Background in Photoshop (QUICK & EASY STEPS)

BlackMatrix
16 Oct 202004:26

TLDRIn this tutorial from Black Matrix, viewers are guided through the process of removing the background from an image using Adobe Photoshop. The presenter begins by instructing users to open their image in Photoshop and select the Quick Selection Tool, which is used to select the subject of the image. The tool settings are adjusted to 'Add to Selection' with a hardness of zero percent. The user is then shown how to make the selection by clicking and dragging, and how to refine it by using the 'Subtract from Selection' option or holding the Alt key. After the selection is complete, the presenter demonstrates how to refine the edges using the 'Select and Mask' feature with the 'Refine Radius Tool'. The final step involves choosing the output as a 'New Layer' or 'New Layer with Layer Mask', with the presenter opting for the former. The video concludes with the background successfully removed, and the option to add a new background color is mentioned. The presenter encourages viewers to like the video, ask questions in the comments, and subscribe for more Photoshop tutorials.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Open the image in Photoshop and select the Quick Selection Tool to start removing the background.
  • 🔍 Set the tool to 'Add to selection' and adjust the hardness to zero percent for a smoother selection edge.
  • 🖱️ Click and drag with the Quick Selection Tool to select the subject of the image.
  • ➖ Use the 'Subtract from selection' option or hold the Alt key to remove unwanted parts from the selection.
  • 🔄 Continue refining the selection by removing any additional parts you don't want.
  • ✅ After completing the selection, go to 'Select and Mask' to refine the edges of the selection.
  • 🖌️ Use the 'Refine Radius Tool' to smooth and feather the edges of the selection.
  • 📑 Choose the output as a 'New Layer' or 'New Layer with Layer Mask' for the background removal.
  • 🌈 Click 'OK' to finalize the background removal, leaving you with the subject on a transparent background.
  • 🎨 Optionally, add a background color to your image after removing the original background.
  • 👍 Like the video and leave comments if you have questions or need further assistance.
  • 🔔 Subscribe and turn on the bell notification to stay updated with new Photoshop and technology tutorials.

Q & A

  • What is the first step to remove the background of an image using Photoshop?

    -The first step is to open the image in Photoshop and select the Quick Selection tool, which is used to select the subject of the image to remove its background.

  • How do you ensure that the Quick Selection tool is set to add to the selection?

    -Make sure the tool is set to 'Add to selection' and set the hardness to zero percent for a smooth selection edge.

  • What is the keyboard shortcut for subtracting from the selection when using the Quick Selection tool?

    -You can hold the 'Alt' key and click and drag to subtract from the selection.

  • After making the selection, what menu option should you go to in order to refine the edges?

    -Go to the 'Select' menu, hold the 'Shift' key, and then select 'Select and Mask' to refine the edges of the selection.

  • What tool is used to refine the edges of the selection in the 'Select and Mask' step?

    -The 'Refine Radius Tool' is used to refine the edges of the selection.

  • What are the two output options available after refining the edges in the 'Select and Mask' step?

    -The two output options are 'New Layer' and 'New Layer with Layer Mask'.

  • How do you add a background color to the image after removing the original background?

    -After successfully removing the background, you can add a new background color by creating a new layer and filling it with the desired color.

  • What does the hardness setting on the Quick Selection tool control?

    -The hardness setting controls the softness or sharpness of the selection edge. A zero percent hardness setting creates a soft edge for smoother transitions.

  • How can you undo parts of the selection that you no longer want included?

    -You can use the 'Subtract from selection' option or hold the 'Alt' key while using the Quick Selection tool to remove unwanted parts from the selection.

  • What does the 'Select and Mask' feature do in the process of background removal?

    -The 'Select and Mask' feature is used to refine the selection edges, making them smoother and more precise, which is crucial for a clean background removal.

  • What is the purpose of using a layer mask when creating a new layer after removing the background?

    -A layer mask allows for non-destructive editing, meaning you can hide or show parts of the layer without permanently erasing them, providing flexibility in editing.

  • How can viewers get notified about new uploads from Black Matrix?

    -Viewers can subscribe to the Black Matrix channel and click the bell icon to receive notifications about new video uploads.

  • What other types of tutorials does the Black Matrix channel provide?

    -In addition to Photoshop tutorials, the Black Matrix channel also provides technology tutorials.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Background Removal in Photoshop

The video introduces viewers to the Black Matrix channel and encourages new subscribers to click the subscribe button and bell for updates. The main topic is teaching how to remove the background from an image using Photoshop. The presenter outlines the steps to open an image, use the Quick Selection tool to select the subject, and refine the selection edges. The process involves adding to the selection, subtracting unwanted parts, and refining the edges with the 'Select and Mask' tool. Finally, the background is removed, and viewers are shown how to add a new background color if desired. The video concludes with a call to action for likes, comments, and further subscription.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used software application for image editing, created by Adobe Inc. In the video, it is the primary tool used to demonstrate how to remove the background from an image, which is a common task in graphic design and photo manipulation.

💡Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool in Photoshop is used for making rough selections of objects in an image quickly. As mentioned in the video, this tool is set to 'add to selection' by default, allowing the user to easily select the subject they want to keep while removing the background.

💡Selection

In the context of image editing, a selection refers to the process of defining a specific area of an image that the user wants to work on, such as the subject that needs its background removed. The video script guides viewers on how to make and refine selections using various tools in Photoshop.

💡Hardness

Hardness, in relation to the Quick Selection Tool, refers to the feathering or softness of the edges of the selection. A hardness setting of zero percent means the edges are soft and blend into the surrounding area, which is desirable when making selections for background removal.

💡Subtract from Selection

This is an option in Photoshop that allows users to remove parts from an existing selection. In the video, the presenter instructs viewers to use this feature or the Alt key (while using the Quick Selection Tool) to deselect parts of the image that should not be included in the final selection.

💡Select and Mask

Select and Mask is a feature in Photoshop used to refine the edges of a selection. It provides tools to smooth, feather, contrast, and shift the edge of the selection. In the video, it is used after making the initial selection to improve the quality of the edges for a more natural look.

💡Refine Radius Tool

The Refine Radius Tool is a part of the Select and Mask feature, which helps in smoothing and feathering the edges of a selection. The video demonstrates using this tool like a brush to refine the edges of the subject for a cleaner separation from the background.

💡New Layer

In Photoshop, a new layer is a separate transparent workspace that can be added on top of or beneath existing layers. The video script mentions choosing 'new layer' in the Select and Mask output options, which creates a new layer with the selected subject, leaving the background removed.

💡Layer Mask

A layer mask in Photoshop is a non-destructive editing technique that hides or reveals parts of a layer. It is an alternative to creating a new layer when removing a background. The mask can be adjusted for fine control over what is visible and what is hidden.

💡Background Removal

Background removal is the process of eliminating the backdrop of an image to isolate the subject. This is a fundamental skill in photo editing and is the main focus of the video. The script outlines the steps to remove the background effectively using various tools and techniques in Photoshop.

💡Background Color

After the background is removed, the resulting image may have a transparent or checkerboard background. The video suggests adding a background color as an option for viewers who want to change the backdrop to a solid color, which can be useful for various design purposes.

Highlights

Welcome to Black Matrix, a channel for learning Photoshop techniques.

Subscribe and click the bell to stay updated with new content.

Learn to remove the background of any image using Photoshop.

Use the Quick Selection Tool to select the subject for background removal.

Set the Quick Selection Tool to 'Add to Selection' and adjust hardness to zero percent.

Click and drag to make a selection around the subject.

Hold the Alt key and click-drag to subtract from the selection.

Refine the edges of the selection using 'Select and Mask'.

Choose 'New Layer' or 'New Layer with Layer Mask' for output.

Successfully remove the background and add a new background color if desired.

The video provides a quick and easy way to remove image backgrounds.

Like the video if it helps and leave questions in the comments section.

Stay subscribed for more Photoshop and technology tutorials.

The channel also offers technology tutorials in addition to Photoshop.

Join the community to learn practical applications of Photoshop.

The tutorial is designed for both beginners and experienced users.

Get notified of new uploads by subscribing and enabling notifications.

The presenter will guide viewers through each step of the process.

Background removal is a valuable skill for graphic design and editing.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewer engagement.