The 4 Best Ways To Cut Out And Remove Backgrounds In Photoshop
TLDRIn this tutorial, Brandon from Bewellcreative.com teaches viewers the top four tools for cutting out images and removing backgrounds in Photoshop. The Quick Selection Tool is introduced as a simple and quick method for making selections, while the Pen Tool is highlighted for more precise and custom selections. The Select Color Range option is shown to be effective for images with solid backgrounds, and the Channels method is demonstrated for complex edges like hair. Brandon also shares tips on refining selections and using these tools in combination for perfect cutouts. The tutorial is aimed at photographers and photo editors looking to improve their skills in Photoshop.
Takeaways
- 🖌️ The Quick Selection Tool is great for quickly cutting out images with a brush-like interface that paints the selection.
- ✂️ Holding the Alt/Option key with the Quick Selection Tool allows you to subtract from the selection for fine-tuning.
- 📂 The Layer Mask is used to apply the selection to an image non-destructively for cutting out.
- 🖋️ The Pen Tool is ideal for making precise selections, especially around complex edges, by creating a path that defines the selection boundary.
- 🔄 The Pen Tool's control arms can be adjusted individually for curving the path to match the edge of the subject.
- 🎨 The Select Color Range option is useful for selecting a specific color in an image and converting that into a selection, perfect for solid backgrounds.
- 📏 The Fuzziness slider in the Color Range tool helps to soften the edges of the selection and remove fringing.
- 🌈 Channels are particularly useful for cutting out complex edges like hair, by duplicating a channel with high contrast and adjusting its levels.
- 🖍️ The Brush Tool in Overlay mode can be used to refine selections by painting over gray areas to affect only those specific tones.
- 🔍 Zooming in and manually adjusting anchor points and control arms with the Pen Tool can help achieve a highly accurate selection.
- ➕ Combining different selection tools like the Quick Selection Tool and Channels can create a clean and precise cutout, compensating for the strengths of each method.
Q & A
What are the four best tools to cut out images in Photoshop as mentioned in the video?
-The four best tools to cut out images in Photoshop mentioned in the video are the Quick Selection Tool, the Pen Tool, the Select Color Range option, and the Channels.
How does the Quick Selection Tool work in Photoshop?
-The Quick Selection Tool works by painting the selection rather than a color. It automatically snaps to the edges of the object you're trying to cut out, and you can refine the selection by holding the Alt/Option key to subtract from the selection or painting over areas to add to the selection.
What is the Pen Tool used for in the context of cutting out images in Photoshop?
-The Pen Tool is used for making custom and refined selections around an edge, especially when you need to be specific, such as cutting out a person or dealing with a busy background where the edge is hard to distinguish.
How can you refine a selection made with the Pen Tool?
-You can refine a selection made with the Pen Tool by adjusting the control arms of the anchor points. Holding the Alt/Option key and clicking on the control arm allows you to adjust one side of the curve without affecting the other, enabling a more precise selection.
What is the Select Color Range option in Photoshop and how is it useful?
-The Select Color Range option in Photoshop allows you to select a certain color and turn that into a selection based on that one color. It's useful when you're shooting in a studio or have a solid colored background behind your subject, as it simplifies the selection process by allowing you to remove the background color.
How does the Channels option help in cutting out complicated edges like hair in Photoshop?
-The Channels option helps in cutting out complicated edges like hair by allowing you to find the channel with the most contrast between the subject and the background. You can then duplicate this channel and use Levels to increase the contrast to create a selection that isolates the hair.
What blending mode can be used with the Brush Tool to refine edges without affecting the black areas?
-The Overlay blending mode can be used with the Brush Tool to refine edges without affecting the black areas when you want to mask out light gray areas.
How can you invert a selection in the Select Color Range dialog box?
-You can invert a selection in the Select Color Range dialog box by clicking the 'Invert' option, which switches the colors so that the selected area becomes unselected and vice versa.
What is the advantage of using the Quick Selection Tool over the Pen Tool when dealing with clear edges?
-The Quick Selection Tool is advantageous over the Pen Tool when dealing with clear edges because it allows for a quicker and more straightforward selection process without the need for precise adjustments that the Pen Tool requires.
How can you check for any transparent spots in the subject after cutting out an image?
-You can check for any transparent spots in the subject by holding Alt/Option and clicking on the layer mask. This will allow you to see any black areas within the subject, indicating transparency.
What is the recommended feather radius setting when making a selection with the Pen Tool?
-The recommended feather radius setting when making a selection with the Pen Tool is 0 pixels for a clean and precise selection.
How can you add more anchor points to refine the path created by the Pen Tool?
-You can add more anchor points to refine the path by clicking on the Pen Tool and then clicking on the canvas where you want the new anchor point to be. If you need to adjust the angle, click and hold to drag out a control arm and fine-tune the curve.
Outlines
🖌️ Introduction to Photoshop Image Cutting Tools
In this introductory paragraph, Brandon from Bewildcreative.com welcomes viewers to a tutorial on cutting out images in Photoshop. He emphasizes the popularity of the task and introduces four top tools for the job. The paragraph sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on using the Quick Selection Tool, Pen Tool, Select Color Range option, and Channels to refine selections and create perfect cutouts. Brandon also provides a teaser for a demonstration combining multiple tools for enhanced results.
🔍 Quick Selection Tool: Fast and Simple Cutting
The Quick Selection Tool is highlighted as a user-friendly option for cutting out images. It operates similarly to a brush, painting selections rather than color. Brandon demonstrates how to access the tool, make a new selection, and refine edges by holding the Alt/Option key for subtraction or ensuring the plus icon is selected for addition. He also explains how to apply the selection to a layer mask and invert the mask if necessary, providing a straightforward method for image cutouts.
🖋️ Pen Tool: Precision Selections for Complex Edges
The Pen Tool is showcased for making custom and refined selections, particularly useful for detailed edges like those found in cutting out people or objects with busy backgrounds. Brandon illustrates how to use the Pen Tool to create anchor points and paths, which can be adjusted for curvature. He also explains the process of converting a path into a selection and applying it to a layer mask. The Pen Tool's precision is ideal for complicated edges and ensuring a clean selection.
🎨 Select Color Range: Simplifying Solid Backgrounds
The Select Color Range option is introduced as a powerful tool for cutting out images with solid-colored backgrounds. Brandon demonstrates how to select a specific color and convert it into a selection. He advises on adjusting the selection preview and using the eyedropper tool to sample colors. The paragraph also covers the use of the shift key to add to the selection and the fuzziness slider to refine edges. This tool is particularly useful for studio photography with controlled backgrounds.
📏 Channels: Mastering Complex Edges Like Hair
The Channels option is presented as an effective method for cutting out complex edges, such as hair, where other tools may fall short. Brandon guides viewers through selecting the channel with the highest contrast between the subject and background, duplicating it, and adjusting levels for a high-contrast image. He then details how to paint over areas to ensure a complete selection and use the brush tool in overlay mode to refine edges. The paragraph concludes with turning the channel selection into an active selection and applying a layer mask to complete the cutout.
🧩 Combining Tools for Perfect Selections
In the concluding paragraph, Brandon summarizes the process of using the Channels to cut out hair and the Quick Selection Tool for refining edges around the shoulders. He demonstrates how to add back details like a t-shirt that may have been inadvertently removed and emphasizes checking the layer mask for any transparent spots. The paragraph reinforces the idea that each tool has its advantages and encourages viewers to consider these when combining methods for creating perfect selections. Brandon wraps up with a call to like, subscribe, and check out additional tutorials for more photo editing techniques.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photoshop
💡Quick Selection Tool
💡Layer Mask
💡Pen Tool
💡Anchor Points
💡Select Color Range
💡Channels
💡Inverting Selection
💡Fuzziness
💡Blending Modes
💡Refining Edges
Highlights
Learn about the four best tools to cut out images in Photoshop.
Quick Selection Tool is a popular and simple tool for making selections.
The Quick Selection Tool automatically snaps to edges based on color contrast.
Refine edges by holding the Alt/Option key and painting over unwanted areas.
Invert a layer mask to non-destructively cut out an image.
The Pen Tool is perfect for making custom and refined selections.
Create anchor points and paths to outline your selection with the Pen Tool.
Adjust control arms individually for precise curving of paths with the Pen Tool.
Use the Pen Tool to cut out complex edges, like those of a person or detailed objects.
Select Color Range option allows you to select a specific color and turn it into a selection.
Use the Select Color Range tool for solid colored backgrounds in studio shoots.
Channels are ideal for cutting out complicated edges such as hair.
Duplicate a channel and adjust its levels to increase contrast for better selections.
Use the Brush Tool in Overlay mode to refine areas of the selection with light gray.
Combine multiple selection methods for perfect cutouts, balancing pros and cons.
Quick Selection Tool can be used alongside Channels for refining complex edges.
Check and fix any transparent areas within the subject after cutting out the image.