You may have a photo, illustration, or other type of image where you want to keep the subject but remove the background. We’ll show you a handful of ways to do this in Photoshop so you’re able to pick the best method for your image.
Because there’s more than one way to delete the background from an image inPhotoshop, we’ll start by looking at a few of the simplest methods. These allow you to delete the background in just a few mouse clicks. We’ll finish by explaining methods that are somewhat time-consuming but give you more control.
Difficulty
What You Need
Adobe Photoshop
Use the Contextual Task Bar
One of the easiest ways to remove a background in Photoshop is using the Contextual Task Bar. This is a floating toolbar that displays near the bottom of the window by default. The tool shows the relevant steps or actions you may take on an image, making it a convenient option.
Step 1:If you don’t see this toolbar, selectWindow>Contextual Task Barin the menu. You’ll then see it appear in the Photoshop window and can drag to move it where you want it.
Step 2:For an image that has a prominent subject, like in the photo below, you should seeRemove Background.
Step 3:Expand the Panels on the right side if they’re hidden and in theLayersgroup, and select thepadlockto unlock the layer.
Step 4:ChooseRemove Backgroundin the Task Bar, and your background should vanish.
Use the Quick Actions
Photoshop also provides what are called Quick Actions for removing orblurring a background, cropping orchanging the image size, and more, making this another handy option.
Step 1:Expand the Panels on the right side if they’re hidden.
Step 2:In theLayersgroup, select thepadlockto unlock the layer.
Step 3:In thePropertiesgroup, expandQuick Actions.
Step 4:SelectRemove Backgroundand you should see your background disappear.
Use the Object Selection Tool
Another method for removing a background in Photoshop is using the Object Selection Tool. This is a good way to go if the above methods don’t capture all of the background you want to delete.
Step 1:In the Tools Panel on the left, pick theObject Selection Tool.
Step 2:Hover your cursor over your image until you see the subject highlighted, then click.
Step 3:Go toSelectin the menu and chooseInverse. You’ll then see the background selected as well.
Step 4:In theLayersgroup on the right, select thepadlockto unlock the layer.
Step 5:Press theDeletekey, and you’ll see the background removed.
Use the Magnetic Lasso Tool
If you want complete control over the background you’re removing, you may use the Magnetic Lasso Tool. It takes a bit more time but allows you to minutely trace your subject and include anything extra you may want to keep, as you’ll see in our example below.
Step 1:In the Tools Panel on the left, pick theMagnetic Lasso Tool. You can find it by right-clicking theLasso Tooland selecting it in the list.
Step 2:Use your cursor to trace around your subject. You’ll need to drag slowly and use a continuous movement to connect the ending point back to the starting point.
Step 3:When you see the small circle at the connection points, release and you’ll see your subject selected.
Step 4:Go toSelectin the menu and chooseInverse. You’ll then see the background selected too.
Step 5:In theLayersgroup on the right, select thepadlockto unlock the layer.
Step 6:Press theDeletekey and you’ll see the background disappear.
Use the Background Eraser Tool
This final method uses the Background Eraser Tool. Similar to the Magnetic Lasso method, this one takes a little time, but lets youremove the background by making it transparent.
Step 1:In the Tools Panel on the left, pick theBackground Eraser Tool. you’re able to find it by right-clicking theEraser Tooland selecting it in the list.
Step 2:In theLayersgroup on the right, select thepadlockto unlock the layer.
Step 3:Adjust the following settings in the Application bar at the top:
Choose aBrush Size. You may want a smaller size if your subject has a lot of detail on the edges or a larger size if you want to move through the process faster.
SelectSampling: Continuous, which is the icon on the left side of the group. This removes the colors that match as you drag. If you have just one color, you may chooseSampling: Onceinstead.
PickFind Edgesin theLimitsdrop-down menu.
Set theToleranceby entering a percentage or using the slider. This determines how wide the color bracket is as you drag the brush across the image. You may choose a low amount like 25% to start and adjust from there.
Step 4:Drag your cursor (brush) around the subject of your picture to start. You should see the brush move smoothly around your subject’s edges and the background become transparent (gray and white checkered).
(Don’t forget, you caninstall brushes in Photoshopfor a more natural, textured result.)
Step 5:Continue to drag across the image to remove the remaining background.
How do I select just the background in Photoshop?
Using Photoshop’s Discover tool, you’re able to select a background easily. Pick theSearchbutton (magnifying glass) on the top right. In the pop-up window, enter “select background” in the search box, hitEnterorReturn, and chooseSelect Backgroundwhen it displays in the results. You should then see your image background selected.
What’s the difference between eraser tool and background eraser tool in Photoshop?
The Eraser Tool is good for transforming pixels to the background color or making them transparent while the Background Eraser Tool eliminates pixels of the selected color. This makes the latter more effective for removing backgrounds.
What does magic eraser tool mean in Photoshop?
In the same menu as the Eraser and Background Eraser Tools, the Magic Eraser removes pixels based on their color values. You can click a spot in an image instead of dragging to delete neighboring pixels of the same color.
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