Step-by-Step Guide: Cutting Out Images and Removing Backgrounds in Photoshop

With the ability to cut out images and remove backgrounds in Photoshop, you can enhance your digital content, create composites, or clean up images for a professional look. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through a straightforward method to achieve this using the Quick Action and Selection Tools.

Opening Your Image

To start, follow these steps to open the image in Photoshop.

Launch Photoshop. Open the image you want to edit.

Selecting the Subject

The next step is to select the main subject in your image. Utilize the Quick Action and Selection tools to make the process more efficient.

Navigate to the Layers panel. Make sure your image layer is selected. Go to the main menu and select Select. Choose Subject.

Photoshop will automatically attempt to select the main subject in the image. If the selection is not perfect, you can refine it further through the following steps:

Refining the Selection

Go to Select > Modify. Use the Expand or Contract options to tweak the selection if needed. For more control, use the Lasso Tool or Quick Selection Tool from the toolbar to manually adjust the selection.

Creating a Mask

Once you have a satisfactory selection, create a mask to hide the background and keep the subject visible.

Select the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel. The mask will protect the selected area, allowing you to refine the edges further if necessary.

Removing the Background (Optional)

If you need to fine-tune the background removal, you can click on the mask thumbnail and use a soft brush set to black to hide parts of the image or white to reveal parts. Alternatively, you can use the Eraser Tool for more precise control.

Additional Tips

Refining Edge/Select and Mask

If you require more control over the selection, consider using the Select and Mask feature under the Select menu to refine edges, smooth out selections, and adjust feathering.

Adjustment Layers

After cutting out your subject, you can add adjustment layers to enhance the image further without affecting the original layer.

Non-destructive Editing

Always work on a duplicate of your original layer to ensure you can revert back if needed.

Final Steps

Once you are satisfied with the cutout, save your work. If you want to keep the transparency, save it as a PNG file. Go to File > Save As and choose PNG from the format options.

By following these steps, you can effectively cut out images and remove backgrounds in Photoshop, enhancing your content and ensuring a professional look.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of cutting out images and removing backgrounds in Photoshop can significantly improve your digital workflow. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, these techniques will help you achieve clean, professional-looking edits every time.

Stay creative and continue to explore the endless possibilities of image editing with Photoshop!