Easily Remove Background on Photoshop in Easy Steps

Removing the background of an image can drastically improve your graphic design projects, product photography, or artistic compositions. With Photoshop, this process becomes easier, whether you're working with a complex background or a simple monochrome one. In this guide, we’ll explore several effective and easy methods to remove backgrounds using Adobe Photoshop, including the latest tools and time-saving techniques.

Why Remove Backgrounds in Photoshop?

Removing backgrounds is a valuable skill that can:

• Enhance product images for e-commerce, isolating items from distracting backgrounds.
• Improve compositions by making subjects more versatile in different designs.
• Make images pop by replacing the background with a new color or scene.
• Create professional presentations for web design, advertisements, and portfolios.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Workspace in Photoshop

Before you dive into removing the background, ensure that your Photoshop workspace is optimized for these steps:

1. Open Your Image: Navigate to File > Open and select the image from which you want to remove the background.
2. Unlock the Background Layer: Double-click on the background layer in the Layers panel to unlock it. This allows non-destructive editing.
3. Save a Duplicate: It’s always a good idea to duplicate the original layer (Ctrl + J for Windows, Cmd + J for Mac). This ensures you have a backup in case you need to revert changes.

Now, let's explore different ways to remove a background based on your image complexity.

1. Remove Background with Quick Action (Photoshop CC 2020+)

If you're working with newer versions of Photoshop, such as CC 2020 or later, Adobe has made background removal faster with a single-click feature.

Steps:

1. Open Your Image and make sure the layer is unlocked.
2. Locate the Properties Panel: Go to Window > Properties to open it if it's not visible.
3. Select Remove Background under Quick Actions. This one-click solution works best for images with clear separation between the subject and the background.

This method is quick but might need refinement, especially around hair or intricate details. For more precision, you can follow up with the "Select and Mask" tool (discussed in more detail below).

2. Using the Magic Wand Tool

The Magic Wand Tool is ideal for backgrounds with uniform colors or sharp contrasts between the subject and background.

Steps:

1. Activate the Magic Wand Tool: Press W on your keyboard or select it from the toolbar.
2. Adjust Tolerance Settings: Set the tolerance based on how sensitive you want the selection to be. For a clean background, a tolerance of around 25 works well.
3. Click on the Background: The Magic Wand will automatically select areas of similar colors.
4. Refine the Edges: If necessary, adjust the selection using the Select and Mask feature to refine details like hair or soft edges.
5. Press Delete: This removes the selected background.

While the Magic Wand is quick, it may not work well for more complex backgrounds.

3. Using the Quick Selection Tool

The Quick Selection Tool is more dynamic, making it ideal for images with varied background colors and more intricate details.

Steps:

1. Select the Quick Selection Tool: Press W or click on the tool in the toolbar.
2. Drag Over the Subject: Click and drag over your subject. Photoshop’s AI will select similar color ranges around your cursor.
3. Refine the Edges: Use the Select and Mask feature (Ctrl + Alt + R) to fine-tune tricky areas, especially around hair or fine objects.
4. Invert the Selection: Go to Select > Inverse or press Shift + Ctrl + I (Cmd + Shift + I on Mac). This selects the background instead of the subject.
5. Delete the Background: Hit the Delete key or add a mask to remove the background while preserving the original image​

4. Background Eraser Tool for Precision

The Background Eraser Tool offers precise control, making it perfect for detailed work, especially when the subject and background share similar tones or textures.

Steps:

1. Select the Background Eraser Tool: Click and hold the Eraser tool until the Background Eraser Tool appears.
2. Adjust the Settings: Set the brush size based on your needs. Use a smaller brush for tight spots. Set the Sampling to Continuous and Limits to Find Edges.
3. Set the Tolerance: A tolerance of 25–30% works well for most images, but adjust depending on your background.
4. Erase the Background: Click and drag over the areas you want to remove. The tool detects edges and helps erase the background with more control​

This method is best for images with challenging edges or where the subject blends with the background.

5. Pen Tool for Manual Precision

For ultimate precision, especially with clean, defined edges, the Pen Tool is your best option. It's ideal for product photography or images with sharp, clean lines.

Steps:

1. Activate the Pen Tool: Press P or select it from the toolbar.
2. Create Anchor Points: Click around the object’s edge to create anchor points. This outlines the subject.
3. Close the Path: Connect the last anchor point to the first to complete the selection.
4. Make Selection: Right-click and choose Make Selection. Then, press Shift + Ctrl + I to invert and select the background.
5. Delete the Background: Finally, press Delete to remove the background

Though time-consuming, the Pen Tool is highly accurate for images with straight or well-defined edges.

6. Select and Mask for Complex Backgrounds

The Select and Mask feature is one of the most powerful tools in Photoshop, especially for removing backgrounds from complex images like portraits with hair or intricate details.

Steps:

1. Select Subject: Go to Select > Subject, or use the Quick Selection Tool to select your subject.
2. Open Select and Mask: Go to Select > Select and Mask. Here, you can refine your selection, adjust the smoothness, and feather the edges.
3. Refine Hair: Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool to fine-tune areas like hair or fur. This tool intelligently separates strands of hair from the background.
4. Output to Layer Mask: Once satisfied, select Output to Layer Mask to apply the mask to your layer

Final Tips for Professional Results

• Check the Tolerance: When using tools like Magic Wand or Background Eraser, fine-tune the tolerance settings to avoid over- or under-selecting.
• Refining Edges: The Select and Mask tool is essential for refining edges, particularly in portraits where hair is involved.
• Use Layer Masks: Instead of deleting backgrounds outright, use layer masks to preserve the original image for easy adjustments later on.

Conclusion

Removing backgrounds in Photoshop has evolved from a manual, time-consuming task to a streamlined process thanks to various tools like the Quick Action, Select and Mask, and Background Eraser. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned designer, mastering these techniques will drastically improve your workflow and give your images a professional edge.