Removing the background from an image can be a tricky process, but it’s an important skill for designers, photographers, and anyone who works with images. A clean background draws focus to the main subject and creates opportunities for creative compositing. While there are quick online tools that can instantly remove backgrounds, the results are often spotty and imperfect. To truly cut out and replace backgrounds in a professional way, you need photo editing software and some practice with selection tools. With the right techniques, you can cleanly lift a subject away from its background in nearly any image. This article will walk through the process step-by-step.
Should I Use Automated Background Removal?
There are now several easy automated options for removing photo backgrounds. Sites like remove.bg utilize artificial intelligence to detect edges and delete backgrounds with one click. This can be handy for quick jobs, but AI removal often leaves traces of the original background, requires extra masking to clean up, and doesn’t work well with complex subjects like hair or transparent objects. For the best results, it’s better to put in a bit more effort with manual background removal.
Cutting Out Backgrounds in Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard tool for detailed image manipulation. Its selection capabilities are unmatched and will provide the cleanest background removal. Here are the steps to cut out a subject in Photoshop:
Make a Rough Selection
Use the Quick Selection Tool to make a fast, loose selection around your subject. This captures the main outlines.
Refine the Selection Edges
Switch to the Refine Edge Tool to clean up the edges around fine details like hair. Adjust the settings for smoothness and edge contrast.
Mask or Delete the Background
To remove the background, add a Layer Mask based on your selection. Or delete the unwanted background entirely.
Clean Up Imperfections
Use the Eraser Tool to tidy up any lingering background specks on the subject. Zoom in close to check for missed spots.
Export the Cutout Subject
When the subject is fully separated with a transparent background, export the cutout image as a PNG file to retain transparency.
Using GIMP for Background Removal
GIMP is a free open-source image editor with many of the same capabilities as Photoshop. The background removal process is nearly identical:
Make a Rough Selection
Use the Fuzzy Select Tool set to an appropriate threshold level to select your subject.
Refine the Selection
Enter Quick Mask Mode and clean up the edges with a paint brush. Unmask to return to normal mode.
Extract the Background
Use the Color to Alpha tool to delete the background around your selection. Or add a Layer Mask.
Clean Up Stray Pixels
Zoom in and use the Eraser Tool to remove any leftover background specks.
Export the Cutout Image
Export the cutout as a PNG to maintain transparent background regions.
Online Background Removers
While not as precise as manual removal, online tools provide a quick way to pull a subject away from its background. Some options include:
remove.bg
This automated AI tool instantly deletes backgrounds with varying degrees of success. Works best with simple backgrounds and subjects.
Canva Remove Background
Canva’s built-in background remover is easy to use. It can leave ragged edges but provides control to refine.
Photopea
This free browser-based editor has selection tools similar to Photoshop. Allows full manual removal.
Lunapic
Lunapic’s background eraser lets you rub out the area around a subject with a brush. Fast but messy.
Tips for Clean Background Removal
Follow these tips when cutting a subject out from its background for professional results:
– Use fine, soft brushes for masking around detailed edges.
– Adjust levels beforehand for maximum contrast between subject and background.
– Desaturate the image to better see the tonal range and edges.
– Erase in small, smooth strokes instead of long scribbles.
– Feather your selection by a pixel or two to blend edges.
– Work patiently and zoom closely to spot leftover specks.
– Refine edges and run multiple passes for stubborn backgrounds.
Replacing the Background
Once you remove the existing background, you can insert your isolated subject into a new background. This opens up lots of creative possibilities.
Solid Color Backgrounds
Place your subject over a solid fill layer to accent it with color. Adjust layer blending modes for cool effects.
Patterned Backgrounds
Use a repeating pattern layer like abstract shapes or grunge textures as an interesting backdrop.
Photo Backgrounds
Compose your subject into an environment photo backdrop, like a scenic landscape or urban setting.
Clipping Masks
Nest your subject within text or graphic shapes to clip it into a bold outline frame.
Maintaining Realism
With the right techniques, you can realistically insert a cutout subject into a new background:
Match Lighting
Add virtual lights and shadows to mimic the original lighting environment.
Scale Perspective
Resize the layer to match the depth perspective of the background photo.
Blend Color Tones
Use Hue/Saturation adjustment layers to influence the subject’s colors to match the background.
Add Reflections
Incorporate reflection layer effects on glossy surfaces like glass or metal materials.
Include Shadows
Add a duplicate layer of your subject blurred and set to Multiply to cast a realistic shadow.
Conclusion
Removing photo backgrounds takes patience and practice, but the results enable amazing image compositing opportunities. For pixel-perfect cutouts, use Photoshop’s selection tools and refinements. But online options can also work in a pinch. Pay attention to edges, color matching and light sources when placing your subject into a new background convincingly. With the right skills, you can extract any subject from its background for seamless and creative composites.
Photo Subject | Original Background | New Background |
---|---|---|
Person | Solid color wall | Tropical beach |
Car | Parking lot | Racetrack |
Animal | Grass field | Moon surface |
Here is an example table visualizing different subjects cut out from their original backgrounds and composited into new fun backgrounds. This demonstrates the creative potential unlocked by removing photo backgrounds.
Remove background allows combining elements from different photos seamlessly. This opens up many possibilities for digital art and visual storytelling. With practice, you can lift any subject away from its background to reinvent the image in endless ways.
The key is taking the time to make detailed selections and paying attention to lighting. But the effort spent on careful background removal is worth it for the editing freedom it provides. Remove those backgrounds, isolate your subjects, and create something amazing!