Removing Backgrounds Quickly in Photoshop
August 22, 2007 – 9:52 pmThis tutorial was created using Adobe Photoshop CS2. When I first started with Photoshop, many years ago, I remember removing backgrounds manually using the eraser tool. Very tedious, but you can sometimes get good results. Here I will show you how to do remove backgrounds very quickly with good results using Photoshop’s extract feature.
1. Load up your photo. I grabbed the photo for this tutorial from Stock.Xchng.
Here is the original test photo that I will use:
2. Filter->Extract… or Alt+Ctrl+X
3. Using the highlighter tool trace the edges of what you want to crop. Use a smaller brush size (around 5) for well defined areas and a larger brush size (around 20) for areas that are less defined like the hair. Use the zoom tool at least once to get a better view. If you have a shaky hand, you may want to use the Smart Highlighting feature.
4. Use the fill tool to specify what areas of the photo you want to extract and click ok.
5. Duplicate and merge the two layers. Cntrl-J then select both layers and then Cntrl-E.
6. Paint in missing drop outs using the History Brush Tool.
7. Use the eraser tool to get rid of any extra stray smudges around the edges.
8. Choose a background and drop it into the photo behind the layer.
This technique is very good if you just want to do some quick mockups and get some feedback. If you require better results (so that people will question whether your work is “shopped” rather than just assuming it is) you will need to spend more time in the Extract filter stage perfecting your edges and then extra time during steps 6 and 7.
If possible, do all of the editing with a large, high resolution file and then downsize the final file. This works especially well if the final result will be on a medium where you don’t need a high resolution photo such as a web page.
36 Responses to “Removing Backgrounds Quickly in Photoshop”
This is great - easy and concise. Do you mind if we republish this over @ http://www.AskTheAdmin.com ? Or maybe you would like to contribute a weekly graphic design tip??
Thanks for the tip from http://www.askTheAdmin.com
By AskTheAdmin on Aug 23, 2007
This was a tutorial for 5 year olds?
By Lick on Aug 23, 2007
Smokin’ hot hottie,
I want to “CUT–YOU–OUT”
and paste you next to me, baby!
By Ej on Aug 23, 2007
Very nice, this is the first time that I have ever seen this, even though the poster said he made it a long time ago. I never use Photoshop, I always use GIMP II, so I am going to have to figure out how to do this in GIMP. Thanks for this post, I have always done everything the hard way with the eraser.
Staci
http://www.racinsite.com
By Staci Reynolds on Aug 23, 2007
Thanks for the tutorial. That is real handy.
If you get a second please check out my comedy photoshop website. Intriguing right?
http://www.danieldannydan.com
By Daniel on Aug 23, 2007
This is one of the most basic but most important things one must learn when using Photoshop. Without this knowledge, it is pretty hard to maximize what one can do with layers.
Great tip. The shortcuts are helpful, though I am more of the mouse clicking type.
By Auto Parts Geek on Aug 23, 2007
Interesting approach. I’ve never seen this background replacement performed this way before. (In fact, I’ve never tried the “Extract” filter before).
There is one thing that I don’t really like about this solution for removing the background. Unless you copy the original layer, you’re altering the image in a destructive way. I.E. If you ever wanted the background back next week, you’re out of luck. I usually start by adding another layer under my image (just fill it white or black). Then select a rough shape of the person using the “Magnetic Lasso” tool which snaps to the edges of shapes fairly well. Once I have a rough outline (it doesn’t have to be exact) of the person I’m trying to extract, I’ll add a layer mask. Then you can use a soft brush to clean up the edges of the mask. The best thing about using a mask is that you can alter the mask later on if you decide it needs tweaking. It’s non-destructive.
One other thing that helps, before you add a layer mask, is to “Feather” your selection by 1 or 2 pixels, depending on how big the original photo is. This gives a softer edge to your mask.
By Chris Inch on Aug 23, 2007
Fantastic! Saves me a lot of time. BIG THANKS!
By HOW, BLECT on Aug 23, 2007
Ain’t that the reason why Adobe invented the Extraction Tool?!
Bad thing that someone has to point out that tool
By iGadget on Aug 23, 2007
http://revision3.com/pixelperfect/extract
By Robin on Aug 23, 2007
Please make a video doing the job anb publish it on Youtube as a tutorial, this a best way to teach….
By Jose on Aug 23, 2007
Nice and simple tutorial, I’d have to add this to my page. Thanks!
By Houston Web Design on Aug 23, 2007
I want her to kiss me!!!
By Trey on Aug 23, 2007
Easier to do:
Use the lasso tool with a feather of 1-5 depending on the image size (1 if its a small image, 5 if its a large image) to select what you want to keep. Press ctrl + shift + i, press delete.
Then just insert whatever background in the the layer below.
By Ash Haque on Aug 23, 2007
Bah! I hate this technique! I wish Adobe had never invented it.
Why? for one thing you have to draw around the object(s). If I have to go around the object already, I might as well use a lasso.
Which brings me to point two. When you draw it’s not easy to keep steady over the long run. With a lasso you just click in small increments to rough in the selection. Then smooth, feather and either copy the selection to a new layer, or create a mask on the layer - revealing the selection.
And then there’s the third point: time. It takes 3 - 4 times more time to do the extracted way than to use a lasso of any sort. When you have to do this and process 50 - 100 images a day like this, it becomes painstakingly obvious how time consuming extracting really is.
Anyways, enough said. I’m glad some people are finding ways to rehash these techniques in a fresh way.
By Michael Christenson II on Aug 23, 2007
This tutorial is a little too time consuming for mediocre results (no offense to the author!), for me. If you just want to do a goofy/funny chop, where quality doesn’t really matter…then I guess this method would be fine.
But for photo realistic chops: layer mask/quick mask, pen tool and masks made using channels…all provide the best results for extracting an image in my opinion. If I want a “rough” cutout, I just use the eraser on a duped layer, and then start masking to refine the edges if I go ahead with the project.
By Des. on Aug 23, 2007
people still dont know this? what the hell.
By kjung on Aug 23, 2007
This technique is very fast for me. I did this example in no more than two minutes tops, and of course you can see that it is not of great quality. However; if you spend a little more time with the extract tool, you can get some pretty good results. Good enough for web work.
By ethomas on Aug 23, 2007
To all the asses writing crap like, “what the hell?” and “everyone already knows this!”: Some people who *will* use PS have *not yet* used PS. Get it? So stfu.
By manofredearth on Aug 23, 2007
as a person just beginning to use ps, i found this helpful. thanks for posting it. i hope to learn some of these other methods (that Des. and Michael Christenson II mention) as i get more familiar with using ps.
By steve on Aug 24, 2007
I’m not sure if I’m missing something here (and please tell me if I am), but what advantages does this have over using Magnetic Lasso and then just cleaning up the mistakes in quick mask mode?
It just seems like this is a more complicated way of doing something quite simple.
By Mark B on Aug 24, 2007
Anyone know how to do this in GIMP?
http://www.askTheAdmin.com
By AskTheAdmin on Aug 24, 2007
Quick Selection Tool in PS CS3 is also mucho faster/easier way …
By miserables on Aug 25, 2007
I’m confused… isn’t it just as easy (if not easier) to use the magnetic lasso to outline the shape, invert the selection and clear with a little feathering?
I just tried both ways and the mag-lasso produced better results… maybe it’s just me?
By Colin Carmichael on Aug 27, 2007
Oops… didn’t see Mark B’s comment there…
By Colin Carmichael on Aug 27, 2007
This is one of the first things you should know when using photoshop
By alphonse on Sep 1, 2007
bro this is fully sick i never knew it was this easy but thanks very much
By puffnfresh on Sep 12, 2007
To add that extra bit of realism with he colour. Image>Adjustments>Match Colour.
By Dave on Sep 19, 2007
to polish the edges of the cutout. Ctrl+click the thumbnail in the layer window to quickle select the outline of the chick. While selected, Click the “add layer mask” button at the bottom of the layers pallate, then apply the gaussian blur filter to it. It has the effect of a perfect soft-brush eraser to the outline of the cutout, and it’s a common trick I’ve used in many years of broadcasting and design. Cheers.
By THE NEXT STEP IS.... on Sep 20, 2007
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to remove photoshop touch up in photos that have been sent to you
By dougc on Jan 25, 2008
ive tried this and i say this tutorial rocks! it works with me and you can see sample if you visit on my site thanks
By phil on Feb 8, 2008
I’ve heard and tried a lot of other ways to replace backgrounds.. But this one is really, fantastic and damn easy way to replace. Even a novice can do it. More over the Smart highlight tool rocks… Thank you for this tutorial.
It helped me to replace background for 5 photos in just 4 minutes.
Great work. Thank you once again.
By Mohammed Arafat on Apr 22, 2008
hi, this is a good technique , but still we can extract much clear image using pen tool . i think pen tool is much better option. images with too much twist and turns can not be extracted with this technique.
I think so,
But still it is less time taking
Thanks so much for the tips.
By umang on Apr 29, 2008
Is it me or are some people making fun of those who want to learn? Those of you with low tolerance should be on the big bus.
By Blackie on Aug 5, 2008
great tip, as i am jus learning Photoshop - and I did figure out how to move the extracted picture around, but not how to re-size it once it’s on the new background any help there is appreciated thanks dale
By Dale on Sep 25, 2008