Photoshop: How to Remove Background From an Image?

Do you find it hard to remove solid colors from your image background? Keep reading to find out how you can accomplish that.

Removing background from an image can be quite tricky as you need to struggle with finding the right tool and having the basic knowledge of how to use it. However, here in this article, you will be educated on how to remove background from an image freely and quickly using one of the most powerful photo editing software, Photoshop. Before we go into discussing the subject of the day, let’s have an overview of Photoshop.

Photoshop

Photoshop is an all in one software designed by Adobe Inc. to help you and me edit images without compromising the quality. It has a simple and clear user interface so end-users including the non-tech-savvy ones can navigate around without difficulty. The software works perfectly across all platforms such as Mac and Windows OS. Photoshop is designed with rich editing tools that you can select from to pimp your images so they look attractive. Aside from the application in photo editing, graphics designers also find the software useful as it supports the sketching and designing of multiple layers. With all these aesthetic features, Photoshop has got its setback which is the high subscription price. However, the price is worth it. So investing in it will yield positively.

Guide to use Photoshop to Remove Background from Images

There are many ways to remove background from images using Photoshop. However, here we will be using the pen tool to explain the process. Check out the detailed stepwise guide given below to eliminate unwanted backgrounds from your photos using Adobe Photoshop CC pen tool:

Step 1: Download and Install Photoshop

Firstly, you have to download and install a compatible version of the Adobe Photoshop CC 2020 on your Windows/Mac OS to carry out this operation. After the successful installation, click on the program icon on your device interface to launch it for your photo editing process.

Step 2: Insert an Image ( Shortcut key: Ctrl+O)

Next, insert your desired image that you will like to remove the background. To do this, click on the File button at the top left corner of the toolkit. When you do that, a drop-down menu will appear on your screen. Select the Open icon from the list of options that appear and you will be directed to your device file manager where all your images are stored. Browse through the list to find the image file. Once you find it, select it and then open it. Zoom the image 200-300% until you can see the edge clearly.

Step 3: Prepare your Tool

Now that you’ve added an image to edit, the next thing to do is to trace out the subject of the image leaving the unwanted background that you want to erase. To do this, you will need a selection tool. Photoshop CC has many selection tools built in it, but implore you to pick the Pen Tool, because of the simplicity and efficiency in creating paths. Use the hotkey, P to select the pen tool or better yet, find the tool on the tools palette found on the left-hand side of the software.

When you select the pen tool, it will appear just as shown in the image above.

Step 4: Use the Pen Tool to Create a Path on the Image

Use the pen tool to create anchor points, also known as ‘clipping path’ in Photoshop, around the image so you can trace out the unwanted background from the image. You are bound to make mistakes when you are trying to do this, but there is no problem with that as you can use the Ctrl + Z keys to undo the error made.

Step 5: Fine-tune your Selection

Should in case you need to adjust the paths created, you don’t need to start the process all over. All you are required to do is hold down the Alt or Command key while dragging an anchor point. With that, your tool will temporarily change to the Direct Selection Tool.

Step 6: Remove the Background from image

Now you are done with the difficult part. All you’ve got left to do is to select the background and then erase it. To do this, you need to first save the current selection path which can be done by switching back to the pen tool- hit the P key on your PC. If you don’t find Paths Panel then Click Window from the top menu then click the Paths tab. After that, select the work path then click on the Load Path As a Selection icon at the bottom of the program where the path palette is located. Forget about the options that pop up. Once you’ve made a clear path, their effect won’t show. Just hit the OK button and the object of the image will be selected.

Now try to Inverse the selection so you can have the background erased rather than the subject selected. To do that, locate and click on the Select menu at the top of the program. Scroll down to the Inverse  ( inverse Shortcut key: Shift+Ctrl+I  ) option and then click on it. Once you do that, the selected path will switch from the subject to the background. Hit the Ctrl + X key or Backspace key or Delete key to erase the background while the object of your image remains.

Step 7: Save the image

Right now, you have successfully removed the background from an image. So you should save the files as a transparent background. Press Ctrl+S or click File from the top menu then click the Save button. Now select the png format from the dropdown menu and save it to your targeted folder.

Conclusion

And that’s all on the tutorial guide about “Photoshop How to Remove Background”. We do hope the solution provided was helpful? You do not need to be a tech expert before you can use the Adobe Photoshop software to erase unwanted backgrounds or solid colors from an image. Use the stepwise guide provided in this article and you are good to go. It’s simple to assimilate and fast.

How to Remove Background in Photoshop ?