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  • How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • by Aaron Nace
    January 27, 2020
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Description

If you need a selection with clean lines, smooth curves, and unmatched accuracy, look no further than the Pen Tool in Photoshop! Join us for a bézier ballet where we show you the ropes of this tricky, yet powerful, tool.

This is Day 26 of our 30 Days of Photoshop series. Follow along with all 30 episodes as we explore the magic of Photoshop together!

30 Days of Photoshop

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cut out anything 30 days of photoshop

Perfect Lines, Shapes & Curves

Why the Pen Tool?

Simply put, the Pen Tool is the most accurate way to make selections in Photoshop. It’s ideal for any situation in which you need to follow or recreate the contours of any object with a solid edge. From editing portraits, to product photography, to graphic design, the applications are limitless.

Additionally, any time you use the Pen Tool, it will save your points as a new Path which you can always return to to make any changes. This allows you to create a selection that can constantly evolve as you edit.

Understanding Curves and Angles

Any path you create using the Pen Tool will either be a straight line, a simple curve, a complex curve, or an angle. Knowing how to identify and create each will be key to understanding the process of making precision paths.


Simple Curve
pen tool photoshop
Complex Curve

Angle

Shortcuts

There’s no shortcut to learning all the nuances of the Pen Tool. Well, except these.

Keyboard shortcuts make it easy to adjust a curve or alter the direction of a path.

To change a point into a curve or vice versa, use ALT or OPTN.

To move a point or a curve and change direction, use CTRL or CMD.

The Nuts and Bolts (or Points and Curves)

The basics of the Pen Tool are pretty easy to grasp. Click to create a point then click again to create the next. Photoshop will connect the two points with a straight line, which you can then adjust to become any sort of simple or complex curve. Click to create a new point and the process continues until you’ve completed your path.

Once you’re finished with the outline, you can convert the Path into a Selection. Simply open the Paths dialog, hold CTRL or CMD, then click on the thumbnail of the path you wish to load. This will create a selection in the shape of the path you created, which you can then use as you would any other selection in Photoshop.

These tips will help, but the key to mastering the Pen Tool is practice and patience! Once you’ve completed this tutorial, try it again with more complex shapes. Developing a thorough understanding of how to use this tool will help you work smarter and faster in Photoshop, no matter the job.

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    4.95 out of 5
    33 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Medium
  • Length
    6.25 hours
  • Videos
    24
  • Software

DESCRIPTION

Creating precision masks and cutouts is one of the keys to mastering Photoshop. If you’re a product photographer, a web designer, or an artist making conceptual composites, you’ll need to be able to make accurate selections of objects and people to place on a variety of backgrounds.

In this tutorial, we cover several tools and techniques that, when combined, will allow you to create perfect masks of anything from the precision curves of designer products to the messy detail of a head of hair.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 18 Sample Images
  • 4 Photoshop Brushes

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Table of Contents

Photoshop Compositing: Masking (I)
  • 01 - Tutorial Introduction
    1:32m
  • 02 - Techniques Overview
    1:01m
  • 03 - Magic Wand and Refine Edge
    14:53m
  • 04 - Lasso Tool
    9:35m
  • 05 - Color Range
    13:17m
  • 06 - Focus Area
    7:13m
  • 07 - Channels
    10:48m
  • 08 - Custom Brushes
    15:35m
  • 09 - Pen Tool
    16:12m
Photoshop Compositing: Masking (II)
  • 01 - Examples Overview
    1:00m
  • 02 - Logos & Graphics
    19:47m
  • 03 - Solid Edges (Part I)
    17:16m
  • 04 - Solid Edges (Part II)
    16:03m
  • 05 - People (Part I)
    26:07m
  • 06 - People (Part II)
    13:18m
  • 07 - Pets & Animals (Part I)
    28:59m
  • 08 - Pets & Animals (Part II)
    9:57m
  • 09 - Pets & Animals (Part III)
    22:43m
  • 10 - Pets & Animals (Part IV)
    24:59m
  • 11 - Hair (Part I)
    18:14m
  • 12 - Hair (Part II)
    18:17m
  • 13 - Hair (Part III)
    13:25m
  • 14 - Hair (Part IV)
    18:57m
  • 15 - Hair (Part V)
    25:58m

Quick & Clean Cutouts in Photoshop

Tools & Techniques

There are dozens of tools and techniques that can help you cut an object or a person out of their background. We’ll provide you with a versatile set of options to handle any situation you encounter. From using the Pen Tool to create perfect curves or Channels to capture all of the details of soft edges, you’ll have access to every trick in the book.

The Perfect Combination

Once you have a handle on all of the best methods of masking and cutting out, the next step is understanding that you might need to use a combination of tools to get the job done right. We’ll cover how to mix and match techniques for those circumstances where just one won’t cut it.

Skills For Any Application

Web designers need images to blend seamlessly into the design of their pages. Product photographers need to provide stunning images that can be applied to a variety of backgrounds. Composite artists want to create realistic images that look like they’re straight out of camera. No matter what your goals with Photoshop are, understanding the techniques in this tutorial will bring you one big step closer to mastery.

More Than Meets the Eye

Sometimes cutting something out of a background means more than creating a perfect selection. Depending on the environment that the original photo was taken in, you might find yourself needing to lighten or darken edges or change the color of reflected light. Once we show you how to cut out the subject, we’ll take it a step further and show you how make it look like the new background was there all along.

Edit Faster

Creating accurate cutouts doesn’t have to mean spending hours upon hours in front of the computer. Some circumstances will require a bit of time and patience but we’ll show you some incredible tips on how to start with a rough selection and then refine only the areas that need it, saving you valuable time.

Recreate Details

Sometimes it’s better to make a rough selection and then paint the details back in. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to create and utilize custom brushes to paint in realistic-looking hair and details that would have otherwise been impossible to cut out.

MAKE COMPLEX CUTOUTS & SELECTIONS

Professional Cutouts


Making precise masks and selections has never been easier! Master all of the tools Photoshop has to offer for making professional cutouts.

Hair, Everywhere

Getting a realistic selection of hair is one of the most challenging and satisfying skills to master in Photoshop. We spend a ton of time covering several methods to make it happen. Whether the background is plain or complex, we’ll show you how to get impressive results, every time.

PETS & ANIMALS

HAIR

PEOPLE

LANDSCAPES & NATURE
Course Instructor

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

Reviews

  1. I bought a course at affinityrevolution “Perfect selections” and it seems like content is 90% similar to this!

  2. Great tutorial Will you be updating it when new features comming to photoshop….. like Select subject and remove background?

  3. A great lesson with a great range of techniques taught that can be used on many different subjects. This is no slight on the tutorial, or on Aaron, but I had a lot of trouble with the fringing around the hair on the second lady (the one in front of the bridge). I’ve restarted that section 3 times now but I must be doing something wrong. I’m going to go back in and see how realistic (or time-consuming) it might be to shape that mask with the pen tool. Wish me luck!

  4. Gotta say love watching Phlearn and how you make so enjoyable , and de mystifying PS 🙂

  5. Have been using photoshop since version 1 (yes, I’m an old lady) and yet always there is more to learn, different and better ways to do things. Thank you for this tutorial, learned several things which will help in my work. BY the way, I used your technique to make a “hair” and then turned it 180 and created a double-ended version, since you aren’t using the base of the brush anyway. Then the shape dynamics-angle-control “Direction” feature worked great!

  6. So far so good, have only got part way . However I have found the new Curve Pen tool much easier to use and control than the older tool, perhaps Pen tool videos need an update.

  7. Excellent excellent teacher really well done and thanks Aaron

  8. I like to thank aron for showing me masking and cutting out just love it

  9. The cutting out of the baby with the pen tool and the replacing of the hair was a great lesson for me. Now I can move on to the pets which I am grateful for. The pen tool was hard but like you said if you put time into working at it you will get it. I got it now and I use it like nothing. Your class is very important to me because I don’t get to go shooting the way a walking people do to being in a wheelchair; so I shoot my kids and fur kids then place in backgrounds I want to use. I’ve been with you for three years now and I love how you have made it available for all to learn from you. #PhlearnPhiday <3 Rose

  10. I love watching the tutorials.

  11. Super grateful to Aaron, the tutorials are great and I learned a lot. I’ve been using photoshop for many years and right now I’m doing it correctly, I love you sensei!

  12. VERY, VERY, SUPER COOL 😉

  13. Hello there, this tutorials are really great. So much to learn and very good explanation. However i have very big problems in cutting out things like wedding veils. How shall i do this with the tranparency in the veil. A tutorial about such objects would be great.

  14. Hello Phriends! Love the learning here! 😉 Advertising it to others big time! Guys, please let me know what is the intro song and where can I find it! 🙂 Thanks a lot!

    PHLEARN Staff
    Thank you! The song is Glory Days off of premiumbeat.com
    • Thank you for spreading the word about PHLEARN! The song is Glory Days off of premiumbeat.com

  15. It’s always too good to follow your tutorials! You have a perfect didactics and the fact that everything happens “live”, that is, there are no stops that can hide some trick, makes it even more useful and applicable to the routine of all professional photographers and amateurs.

    PHLEARN Staff
    What Aaron does may seem like magic, but we promise no tricks are used in our tutorials 😉
    • What Aaron does may seem like magic, but we promise no tricks are used in our tutorials 😉

  16. I absolutely LOVE your tutorials. So informative and super easy to follow. I ran into a problem, though, and couldn’t figure out how to fix it. Being a “newbie” to Photoshop, I had to Youtube it. While trying to make the fur brush for the dog, I could not get my pen path to produce a stroke that was bigger in the middle and ends in a point on both ends. I am using a mouse and realized that I had the “Control” in the “Shape Dynamics” section of my brush properties turned off from where I was making the cat fur brush. I set it to “Pen Pressure” and then tried the stroke again. It turned out great! Might want to mention that in case someone else runs into that problem.

  17. Aaron, will you marry me? 🙂 When the 1st time i use Photoshop to cut somethings out of background, it’s a so hard issue especially hair. Through many years, i can’t still seek methods that can make me happy until i find you, phlearn and now “Masking and Cutting Out Subjects”. You’re the Grand Master. I phlearned so much from this tutorial and thankful due it. Can’t thank you enough, Aaron. Keep it up.

    PHLEARN Staff
    You made Aaron blush 🙂 Thanks for taking the tutorial and we’re happy you loved it! Aaron has so many more tutorials on the way for you.
    • You made Aaron blush 🙂 Thanks for taking the tutorial and we’re happy you loved it! Aaron has so many more tutorials on the way for you.

  18. Phlearn tutorials are the absolute BEST! I’ve taken Photoshop in college and studied online tutorials from both Lynda.com and CreativeLive but only Aaron makes learning easy and fun while providing a comprehensive understanding. So many of the others are boring, confusing and/or shallow. Phlearn is my go-to source for Photoshop tutorials and a constant source of inspiration.

  19. This was awesome!! I learned so much, thank you!!

  20. Outstanding! I love this Workshop! So many “YES-Moments”. THANK YOU PHLEARN!

  21. Aaron is a fantastic teacher and these tutorials are just treasure. I started watching and learned completely new things from the very first minutes. After having watched all the videos in this tutorial, I feel it has definitely helped me a lot and I am looking forward to exploring more from PHLEARN! Also, Aaron seems to be perfectionist to the point that annoys me that sometimes I am not 😛 Like this, I am also having a live example of how a great professional should act when it comes to little details. Congratulations and thank you for this amazing series, now gonna watch some more cool stuff from here!

  22. The overlay trick – super! helpful. Thanks!! Love the videos.

  23. Aaron please… include captions, these will help a lot, to the ones who dont speak english as natives…as me…

    PHLEARN Staff
    Thanks for your comment, all our PRO Tutorials include closed captioning. There is a “CC” button in the player that will display the closed captions – all the best!
    • Thanks for your comment, all our PRO Tutorials include closed captioning, there is a CC button in the player that will display the closed captions – all the best! – Aaron

  24. Best so far, I have problem with selections on most part, getting better as time goes on, but I learned so many new techniques in this tutorial and I want to say you rock

  25. A really great tutorial!

  26. Excellent tutorial!

  27. Just amazing!!! One of the best of nothing but the best! Thanks so much for this tutorial and all the fabulous tutorials on this site. Super job!!

  28. FANTASTIC! Thank you for the help

  29. Phlearn tutorials have been absolutely invaluable to me. Without them, I’d be in a world of Photoshop pain. I love that Aaron’s instructions are clear and concise and are so easy to follow. I also like the way the videos come in short segments – this makes it easier to go back and find a topic you need without searching through a long video.

  30. This tutorial by Aaron is THE best on extraction, it builds up from super easy to super difficult.I have seen countless videos on hair extraction by PS experts but this blows them all away, the use of clipping masks is a technique that must be known to many but no one teaches,another top class tutorial from King Aaron

  31. Great stuff! Clearly organised and easy to follow. Loving it.

  32. Super legit and useful tutorial! Well paced and jamed packed!!!!! Two thumbs up!!!

  33. Yesterday I bought Photoshop Compositing: Masking & Cutting Out Subjects x1 .. the videos are obviously in English … I understand English written but not spoken .. Would there be a possibility of getting the written tutorial? .. if there was written tutorial would encourage me to buy more … thanks in advance.

    PHLEARN Staff
    Thanks Luisa, at this time we don’t offer written versions of our tutorials, however all the tutorials do have closed captioning, so you can read along. Press the “CC” button in the video player to turn on closed captioning.
    • Sorry, we don’t have written versions of our tutorials.

Catalog > Free Tutorials > How to Cut Out Your Subject in Photoshop
  • How to Cut Out Your Subject in Photoshop

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By Far Our Best Intro Ever!

If you thought this episode was great our “Pro Tutorials” are about 10 times better, more in-Depth detailed information, and are priced perfectly for the photographers and photoshoppers wanting to become the best.

Make sure to subscribe to our Youtube Channel for great videos, hangout with us on Google+, like us on Facebook, chat on Twitter, and capture moments on Instagram. All of our accounts have something fun to offer.

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    5.00 out of 5
    10 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Medium
  • Length
    2.25 hours
  • Videos
    6
  • Software

Description

With enough practice, cutting people out of relatively simple backgrounds can be a breeze. But what about when the backgrounds are more complicated? Or the backgrounds are a similar color to the subject’s hair and clothing?

In Intermediate Cutouts in Photoshop, we explore the tools and techniques to get beautiful, accurate cutouts of people. Learn how to cut people out of complex backgrounds, fix issues like color fringing, and even recreate lost details in hair using custom brushes and some compositing magic.

PHOTOSHOP CUTOUTS SERIES

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 7 Sample Images
  • 1 Photoshop Brush
  • 5 Sample PSDs

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Table of Contents

Course Preview
  • 01 - What You'll Learn
    1:03m
Intermediate Cutouts in Photoshop
  • 01 - Separate Shadow for Easy Composites
    25:49m
  • 02 - Fix Complex Hair Fringing
    24:28m
  • 03 - Use Another Image to Recreate Hair Shape
    22:39m
  • 04 - Work with Very Busy Backgrounds
    22:47m
  • 05 - Draw Hair Selection with Custom Brush
    30:38m

Perfect Cutouts. Stunning Detail.

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

Detailed, Natural Hair


Whether you’re retouching, compositing, or cutting a person out, hair is one of the most challenging things to work with in Photoshop. We show you how to capture and recreate all of the important, natural details to create a seamless cutout in Photoshop.

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

CUTOUTS FROM BUSY BACKGROUNDS

ORIGINAL

Intermediate Cutouts in Photoshop

Master the tools and techniques you’ll need to cut people out from complicated backgrounds, recreate fine details in hair and clothing, fix common issues like color fringing, and much more.

Combine Tools & Techniques

Making a detailed cutout usually requires a variety of tools and techniques to get the job done right. Learn how to analyze an image, determine the tools you’ll need to cut out each area, and then put those tools to work to create an ultra-detailed selection.

Compositing Tricks

When it’s not possible to capture all of the original hair detail in a cutout, try pulling details from an entirely different photo! Learn how to use basic compositing techniques to extract hair detail from another image, and then blend those details seamlessly into a cutout.

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

TRANSFER SHADOWS TO NEW BACKGROUNDS

ORIGINAL

Cut Out & Transfer Shadows

We show you how to cut out a subject along with their shadow, and then place both onto a new background to create an eye-catching effect.

Professional Tools & Techniques

Being able to create clean and accurate selections is an essential part of a professional editor’s workflow. We break down the tools and techniques that will help you work efficiently and non-destructively, all while creating ultra-precise selections and masks.

Change & Remove Backgrounds

Cutouts, selections, and masks are the key ingredient to changing and removing backgrounds. Once you’ve mastered the skills in this course, learn how to realistically place your subjects into new backgrounds and environments while matching light, color, and perspective.

Custom Brushes Included

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

RECREATE HAIR DETAILS

ORIGINAL

The Challenge of Cutting Out Hair

Cutting out hair is always challenging, even when working with relatively simple backgrounds. But things really get tricky when the hair and background are a similar color. Learn how to create an accurate cutout from a busy background while capturing all of the important details.

Recreate Hair Details

Sometimes it’s just not possible to accurately cut out the original hair from a photo. Learn how to use custom brushes to paint in new hair detail, transfer hair from one part of an image to another, and even composite hair from an entirely different photograph.

Custom Photoshop Brushes

Learn how to paint new hair into a cutout using custom-made Photoshop Brushes. And, not only do we include a handy custom brush that looks just like real hair, we show you how to make your own to fit any situation.

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

intermediate cutouts in photoshop

REMOVE COLOR FRINGING

ORIGINAL

Remove Color Fringing

Color fringing is a telltale sign that an image has been ‘Photoshopped’. Learn how to remove the original background color from the edges of hair and clothing, helping your subjects blend seamlessly into any new background.

Hair, Everywhere

The challenge of working with hair doesn’t stop with cutouts. Learn how to clean up hair and help it look picture-perfect in Master Retouching Hair.

Essential Photoshop Skills

If you want to explore other important Photoshop skills, be sure to check out our series on removing objects and distractions! Simple, Intermediate, and Advanced Object Removal will help you clean up your images

Class Instructor

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder – Class Instructor

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

View More Classes by Aaron Nace

Reviews

  1. I cant imagine doing photoshop tutorials with anyone else than Aaron. He is the best!

  2. awesome tutorial, thank you

  3. I learned so much beyond the essentials course. Being taught by Aaron is a joy. Watching him use selections and masking techniques is really improving my photoshop experience

  4. Wow! I been looking for something like this for long time. Great Job 👏

  5. Recreating hair – mind blown! I know I will be using techniques over and over from this tutorial – highly recommend!

  6. another good course cut out, with lots of techniques super

  7. Such a joy following this tutorial – I have struggled with masking hair for years, and after viewing this, I feel so much more confident. Jumping in and out of `Select and mask´ was new to me, and what a revelation 🙂 I now feel like generating a whole folder full of different hairtype brushes.

  8. Great tutorial. Love the step by step movement to completion with integration of the earlier learning. Looking forward to the advanced tutorial.

  9. Thank’s Aaron, another great tutorial I have learned some fantastic techniques to add to my skill set in this series.

  10. What a great set of tutorials. Did the basic tuts and just as amazing! Thank Aaron and Phlearn, I am am now a lot more confident in this area of my skillset.

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    5.00 out of 5
    17 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Easy
  • Length
    2.25 hours
  • Videos
    6
  • Software

Description

Follow along as we show you the basics of making accurate cutouts, selections, and masks in Photoshop. Learn how to cut out subjects in front of relatively simple backgrounds, recover and recreate fine details in hair, and fix common issues like color fringing.

PHOTOSHOP CUTOUTS SERIES

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 5 Sample Images
  • 5 Sample PSDs

Share

Table of Contents

Course Preview
  • 01 - What You'll Learn
    57s
Simple Cutouts in Photoshop
  • 01 - Starting with Select and Mask
    24:25m
  • 02 - Color Decontamination Methods
    15:14m
  • 03 - Remove Color Fringing
    46:33m
  • 04 - Selection Tools & Check Layers
    25:46m
  • 05 - Remove Color Bleed Behind Hair
    15:41m

The Fundamentals of Cutting Things Out

simple cutouts photoshop

Master Cutouts & Selections


Whether you want to place a subject in a totally new environment, or just simply change the color of a background, you’ll need cutouts and selections to make it happen.

simple cutouts photoshop

simple cutouts photoshop

CUT OUT HAIR DETAIL

ORIGINAL

How to Cut Things Out in Photoshop

Whether you want to change the background behind a subject, make edits and adjustments to a very specific part of a photo, or composite multiple elements from different photos together, cutouts are the key! Join us and learn the basics of this essential Photoshop skill.

Tools & Techniques

Cutouts and selections are an essential part of an editor’s workflow. We show you the most important tools Photoshop has to offer to quickly cut something out, refine the selection, and to fix common issues like correcting color and recovering detail.

Cut Out People & Hair

People are the most common, and often the most challenging, thing to cut out of an image. Learn how to accurately cut people out and remove backgrounds, all while preserving the fine details in their hair and clothing. And if you want to master the art of cutting out hair, we have an entire PRO course dedicated to just that.

simple cutouts photoshop

simple cutouts photoshop

ACCURATE CUTOUTS OF PEOPLE

ORIGINAL

Automatic & Manual Tools

Photoshop has come a long way over the years, and automated tools like Select Subject can give us a head start on our cutouts. However, the best workflows often involve a combination of both automated and manual tools. Learn how to create quick cutouts and selections and then refine them with some powerful manual tools in Photoshop.

Select & Mask

One of the most commonly used selection tools, Select & Mask is a great way to quickly refine a selection. We break down all of the tools and options within Select & Mask so that you can put them to work on your own images.

Select Subject

An automated tool that can cut out a subject in just a few clicks? It may sound too good to be true, but the Select Subject option in Photoshop never fails to impress us. We show you how to work easy, automated tools into a professional workflow to save you time.

Perfect Cutouts, Every Time

simple cutouts photoshop

simple cutouts photoshop

PRESERVE SHADOWS

ORIGINAL

Tips & Tricks

We don’t just show you the best methods for getting accurate cutouts in Photoshop, we show some professional tips and tricks that will help you do it in half the time, and with ultra-detailed results!

Fix Common Issues

Cutting something out is only half the battle. Once you change the background color, or place it into a new environment, a whole world of issues can pop up. We show you how to fix common problems like color fringing, color contamination, and more so that your subjects fit in seamlessly with their new surroundings.

Helpful Check Layers

Learn how to create and use helpful tools called Check Layers to identify and fix issues that your eyes might be missing.

simple cutouts photoshop

simple cutouts photoshop

CHANGE & EXTEND BACKGROUNDS

ORIGINAL

Cutouts, Selections & Masks

Cutouts, selections, and masks are foundational tools in any professional editors workflow. Once you’ve mastered the tools and techniques in this series, you can put them to work on products, portraits, and even fantasy composites!

Change Background Colors

Being able to quickly and realistically change a background color is an important, and in-demand, skill. We show you how to quickly select a subject, change the background color, and then integrate that new color into the lighting of the original image for a beautiful, seamless result.

Photoshop Cutout Series

This course is just the beginning of our exploration into every tool and technique available to cut things out in Photoshop. Once you’re done here, be sure to check out Intermediate Cutouts in Photoshop and Advanced Cutouts in Photoshop (both coming soon!) to master these essential skills.

Class Instructor

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder – Class Instructor

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

View More Classes by Aaron Nace

Reviews

  1. I’m 56 years old and learning photoshop. I would’ve given up if it weren’t for Aaron Nace and his Phlearn tutorial. Thank you so much Aaron Nace.

  2. I AM RELATIVELY KNEW TO PHOTOSHOP. I HAVE STARTED ON YOUR TUTORIAL “SIMPLE CUT OUTS IN PHOTOSHOP” ON MY PC. I HAVE DOWNLOADED YOUR 2 SETS OF IMAGES ASSET OUT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR LIST OF VIDEOS. HOWEVER, THE PHOTOS ON YOUR TUTORIAL ARE NOT INCLUDD IN THE 2 DOWN LOADS. MAYBE I AM MISSING SOMETHING.

    • Hey Glen! our support team just sent you an email to assist you with this 🙂

  3. I’m so glad I took this class. I had wanted to learn about cutting things out for so long, and I was able to apply the skills Aaron taught to some client work immediately. I can’t wait to do the intermediate and advanced classes!

  4. I just photographed a corporate headshot job of 70 people. They asked if I could clip them out for various uses. Thanks Aaron, all of these tips will make the job go much faster!

  5. A really helpful and useful tutorial series, and here I refer to all three levels of the Cutouts tutorials. I watched these tutorials months ago, and now am watching all three once again to refresh my memory on the workflows and all the how-to details. One thing I love about all of Aaron’s tutorials is that he is constantly revealing tools and settings in Photoshop that I never knew existed, or never knew how to use.

  6. Great information! I have been compositing forever and learned some new tricks – especially with color fringing and editing hair — highly recommend!

  7. Another Great class from Aaron Nace and PHLEARN. Never really understood how to best use Select and Mask until I took this class. The techniques and methods taught in the class were very helpful to me. Can’t wait to take the next class in this series.

  8. Excellent, clear, concise, result oriented tutorial! Great job!

  9. For me a seasoned photoshop person, It was all about the method. Excellent tutorial

  10. So many little tips and tricks. Great course

  11. YIKES! This course was great! After a long time at trying Select and Mask, I’m finally catching on. Especially important was learning that I can do the work in stages –and see how it’s done. ‘Looking forward to the Intermediate course. It takes me several times through each lesson, but the time spent is well worth it!

  12. really good teturual, gives a good insight into cut out technique and with a super instructor

  13. I like this!!

  14. The technique you have demonstrated is interesting an worthy of application to the image being worked on. To get rid of color fringe and unwanted color around edges, I use Minimum Filter whereby I can assign an incremental value to the mask up to the point where the unwanted halos and color artifacts are removed. I also use Dodge and Burn tools on the mask specifically, dodge on the highlights and burn on the shadows. I like how Aron explains the technique and demontrate other uses of tools, adjustments, and mask. A key point for me is that Aron demontrates the need for multiple layers without regard to file size. PHLEARN is my PS training academy!

  15. Great help in cutting out hotrods from the background. I learned a lot about the workflow of select and mask tool by saving it and going back again for refinements. And eliminating the blue sky color contamination from the edges of the car. Also softening and refining the edges in select and mask. I appreciate the technic of using the shift key for straight line masking. The color blend mode helps me eliminate street reflections on highly polished paint like road stripes and other cars parked next to the subject car. Always great lessons, but I really liked this one…It is right up there with the pen tool lesson. Bruce

  16. Great Tutorial Aaron. I learned a lot with this tutorial although I have been using Photoshop since 2.0 Keep up the great work. Thanks.

  17. Doesn’t matter how much I think I know Aaron always comes up with some new gems. Using the Select and Mask more than once to manage hard edges and soft or hair edges separately was an absolute gem. I’ve always struggled trying to get it all right in one go. Thank you!!

  • How to Cut Out Hair in Photoshop – Day 27

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Working with hair in Photoshop can be a major challenge–especially when you need to cut it out from the background. Learn how to use smart tools like Select Subject and Select and Mask to make the process of cutting out hair easier than ever!

This is Day 27 of our 30 Days of Photoshop series. Follow along with all 30 episodes as we explore the magic of Photoshop together!

30 Days of Photoshop

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Hair Cutouts Made Easy!

How to Cut Out Hair

Hair continues to be one of the most challenging things to select and cut out in Photoshop. When something in an image has a hard, defined edge, like a mug or a car, we can turn to super accurate tools like the Pen Tool to make quick work of the selection. But when something has a soft and detailed edge, like a wild head of hair, things get tricky. The Pen Tool likely won’t work in these situations, and even if it would, it would take hours to do what should take minutes. So how do we get accurate selections of soft details in an image?

Fortunately, we can make also selections using the light and color information in a photo (as opposed to visually recognizing the edge and tracing it with a tool). Options like Select Color Range, Select Subject, and Channels are all fantastic option when you need to cutout something more complex. Combined with Select and Mask, we have a versatile suite of tools that will allow us to cut out anything in Photoshop!

Select Subject

For today’s example, we’re going to focus on one of Photoshop’s newer selection tools, Select Subject. Designed to be easy and automatic, Select Subject will try to identify and select what it things is the subject in a photo. As with most selection tools, it will have an easier time if the subject is clearly separated from the background, whether it be by color, focus, or contrast.

Our example image was taken with a relatively shallow depth of field, leaving the subject in focus and the background out of focus. This makes it easier for automated tools like Select Subject (or Select Focus Area) to identify what you want selected.

Using automated tools will usually only get us part of the way there. While the smart tools in Photoshop do work really well under the right circumstances, they’re not always perfect. This is especially true with soft and detailed areas like hair. That’s where Select and Mask comes in, allowing us to further refine our selections to get smooth and seamless cutout.

Select and Mask

Select and Mask has a variety of tools that help us control what to included and not included as part of a selection. One such option is the Refine Edge Tool, which gives us the ability to simply paint around an edge and have Photoshop try and make a more precise selection around the finer details.

By using Select Subject to get a rough cutout of the subject, and then the Refine Edge Tool within Select and Mask to paint the details back in, we’re pretty close to having an almost perfect selection of the subject and their hair!

For some images, this might be enough. But if not, we can output this selection to a Layer Mask where we can make some final adjustments with the Brush Tool.

Layer Masks

As you’ve likely noticed by now, selections are a constantly evolving part of an edit. Sometimes you might get it in one go, like if you’re using the Pen Tool to cut out something with a hard edge. But when you’re working with more delicate areas like hair, it’s something you might spend time on using a handful of tools to get it right.

Layer Masks are the foundation of making selections and cutouts in Photoshop. Once you’ve refined a selection with a Select and Mask, you can output that selection to a Layer Mask. As a Layer Mask, the selection is converted into only two colors; black and white. Selected areas are filled with white and those areas of the Layer will remain visible. Unselected areas are filled with black and those areas will be made invisible. This is what allows us to cut people out and place them on a new background. We first make a selection of the person, load the selection as a Layer Mask making the person visible and the background invisible, and then we can place that person on top of a new background on the Layer Stack.

When Select and Mask can’t get a selection to a point where you’re happy with it, you can try editing the newly made Layer Mask directly. To do this, view the Layer Mask, select the Brush Tool, set the Brush Blend Mode to Overlay, and paint with black along any edges that you want to clean up. This will fill any soft, gray areas with black while protecting the finer details of the selection which will appear as pure white.

Catalog > Free Tutorials > How to Remove Edge Fringe in Photoshop
  • How to Create Better Cut-outs for Compositing

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ORIGINAL

AFTER FRINGE REMOVAL

Download Sample Images


Click the link below to download the sample images and follow along with this tutorial.

Download

Cut Out Your Subject

Fringing usually appears around the edge of a cut-out subject, and stands out the most when you change the image background’s color. This tutorial is about fringing, so we’ve already cut out our subject to show you how to correct this issue. If you want to learn how to remove the background from an image, check out our PRO tutorial How to Change and Remove Backgrounds or Photoshop Compositing: Masking and Cutting Out Subjects. Our free tutorial How to Add a Colored Background to a Portrait is a great, quick lesson as well.

Use a Clipping Mask

Clipping Masks are a little-known but very powerful tool in Photoshop for making your composites look realistic. Simply create a new layer above your subject, right-click and select Create Clipping Mask, and anything painted on that layer will show up only where your subject is visible. By setting this same layer to Hue, any colors you paint on it will also change the color of the subject underneath. So, on this clipped layer set to Hue, and with the brush tool, hold ALT/OPTION to sample a color from the subject (in this case, her hair) and paint that color over the edge fringe. This will effectively turn the fringe into our subject’s hair color, and make her hair blend into a new background much more seamlessly.

Extra, Extra!

For a really natural look, sample colors from the new background and paint along the edges of your subject with a large, soft-edge brush to create the illusion of the background’s light wrapping around your subject. It will further place them in the scene with great effect.

Go forth now and remove those pesky edge fringes!

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    4.85 out of 5
    13 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Advanced
  • Length
    3.25 hours
  • Videos
    7
  • Software

DESCRIPTION

Learn how to calculate advanced perspective, create shadows, cut out subjects, and add light sources and fire!

Also, Aaron shows you how to photograph and composite your subject into a new background so it really stands out.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 20 Sample Images
  • 4 Photoshop Brushes
  • 1 Photoshop Action

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Table of Contents

Create a Realistic Photo Composite with Visual Effects
  • 01 - Introduction & Planning
    13:16m
  • 02 - Building a Composite Background
    19:18m
  • 03 - Cutting Out Subjects
    32:36m
  • 04 - Perspective
    22:46m
  • 05 - Enhance Highlights, Shadows & Color
    41:38m
  • 06 - Fire Effects
    37:59m
  • 07 - How to Retouch and Finish a Composite Photo
    21:54m

Create Perfect Lighting for Composites.

Create advanced composites

Accomplish the most challenging composites with the skills you will learn in this advanced Phlearn PRO Tutorial. We take you through step-by-step from shoot-to-edit to build new scenes that match your vision and add subjects that interact in believable ways.

Advanced Layer Masks

Cut people out of their backgrounds while preserving all the detail from the original photo. Capture perfect detail in your layer masks, allowing you to keep even the most complex details in the motorcycles.

Perfect Perspective

Always build your composite images to the correct perspective using our tested techniques. By creating a plan and keeping true to real life perspectives, your composites are guaranteed to be more amazing.

The Outlaws


Create a modern, magical scene using advanced Photoshop compositing techniques! We take you through the entire process step-by-step, from cutouts, to combining scenes, to matching light and color.

Blend and Composite

Learn the secrets to compositing and blending multiple photos together to create seamless, stunning effects. From start to finish, you will see how each image is adjusted and combined using Photoshop.

Build the Background

Learn how to combine multiple images together, even if they were taken in different locations with different lighting on completely different days. The background in this image is built from many different images.

Color Correction

Remove the complexities from correcting colors in shadows, mid-tones and highlights. At times, highlights are too warm or too saturated and need to be treated separately from other areas of an image. Learn how to correct color to make your composites blend perfectly.

Add Light Bounces

By placing a new light source into the composite, you affect everything else in the image and must retouch accordingly. See how to match the lighting between subjects and the scene.

Custom Photoshop Brushes

Create fire in any image. Learn to make your own Photoshop brushes so you’ll always have the right brush for the job. Custom brushes are excellent for advanced retouching and adding special effects to your images.

Match Highlight and Shadow

Create stronger composite images by matching the subject highlights and shadows to the background. Learn how advanced selections can keep the rest your subject intact while only editing the highlights.

Reviews

  1. Thank you very much for showing us how it is done, I have been looking at many different courses but nothing as detailed as what you have shown us. Perfect!!!

  2. Great tutorial. Well presented with a lot of useful and well explained techniques.

  3. A very well put together tutorial along with others from Phlearn helps build up a repertoire of skills to be applied and adapted into other photos editing. Key take aways from this tutorial include creating a composite horizon and aligning any forground elements with their vanishing point with respect to that horizon (the practical upshot of which being things that weren’t in the scene originally at least look like they belong there.) A rather snazzy trick using levels to recover shadows and highlights from point light sources and a brief excursion into the wonders of the channel mixer. The challenge here is starting with entirely disassociated elements and getting them to behave in a way that makes the composite of them look like they could be natural associated. I worked on it over a weekend and was entirely satisfied with the result. https://flic.kr/p/22WHtYh

  4. I can’t say thank you enough to Aaron for making this pretty cool tutorial. I love composition and it itself takes me Photoshop. At the beginning, i’m planning to begin it with A Dark Force but until i find this tutorial, i have changed my choice. The Outlaws is just a perfect beginning for composition. It has a slightly simple composition, pretty cool characters, especially Fire and learn easily to how to calculate perspective & how to use Full Check. I just love it and if possible, yeah, i love Aaron “Master”. After this advanced tutorial, i can’t still believe that i make a true composition honestly. Now i will go ahead A Dark Force with much more confident. Check out my work above. Once more, thank you Aaron! ??

  5. (verified owner)

    I absolutely love this, from start to finish! It was a bit hard for me, when i was watching parts 4 and 5 i felt i wasn’t advanced enough for this, but after stretching my brain a bit, i understood everything. It is better to stretch your brain a bit than to have it easy anyway, it is what i always say. My favorite part, and also what attracted me the most about this tutorial, is the part with matching perspectives. I wanted to learn this for a while and am glad i finally got into this. But everything is great, from color matching, to checking if elements have the right luminosity, to getting rid of fringing around cut out subjects (something i often struggle with). I plan on buying more phlearn PROs, got my eyes on some.

  6. Thank You Aarone Nace
    With this tuto I’m Now better in use curves and layer maskes
    And this is my final result

  7. (verified owner)

    So after watching so many of the free tutorials done by Aaron and the Phlearn team, I knew I wanted to contribute and purchase a pro tutorial (to help support the team). Just when you think you know things Aaron humbles you very quickly. This is a great tutorial on composition. It doesn’t matter what subject matter you will deal with. This tutorial shows you great techniques that are applicable to any composite. His attention to the small things and details is what makes a composite believable and when he demonstrates these techniques you have that “ah-ha” moment. It makes total sense but I would have never thought of those things on my own. Thanks to Aaron and the Phlearn team for making my hobby so much more enjoyable!

  8. (verified owner)

    This is a bit of a long tutorial but so worth sticking to as it can produce some amazing results…Thank you.

  9. I had a lot of fun doing this composite!
    Really cool techniques & rules to be learnt… I have no hesitation in recommending this Pro tutorial!!
    Just go for it!

  10. Thanks, Aaron & Team! The best lesson-learned for me was about perspective: the way you used the vanishing point, and the horizon was very helpful for me. Great stuff! Love the check layers. I used those in A Dark Force too.

  11. New Favorite Pro. Such much details covered in this one it was epic. Love the Threshold trick have to remember that one. Buy it now

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    4.90 out of 5
    25 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Advanced
  • Length
    3.25 hours
  • Videos
    7
  • Software

DESCRIPTION

In this Phlearn PRO Tutorial, you will learn how to do the photography and Photoshop retouching necessary to add incredible liquid splashes seamlessly to any portrait.

Every aspect is covered in great detail—compositing, coloring, retouching, cutting subjects out from the background, painting details, dodging, burning and more.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 10 Sample Images
  • 1 Photoshop Brush
  • 1 Photoshop Action

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Table of Contents

Cut Out, Blend, and Color Match like a Pro - Liquid Portrait
  • 01 - Planning the Composite
    7:13m
  • 02 - Compsiting the Subject
    23:50m
  • 03 - Blemish & Distraction Removal
    35:48m
  • 04 - Cutting Out the Subject
    35:53m
  • 05 - Adding Splashes (Part 1)
    33:23m
  • 06 - Adding Splashes (Part 2)
    39:15m
  • 07 - Final Coloring
    11:58m

From Concept to Reality.

Create a portrait unlike any other

Consider adding something extra to your next portrait. See each step required from the planning and photographing to compositing and retouching. Use what you learn to incorporate multiple elements and ideas together to form incredible new images.

Make Perfect Cutouts

Follow along as we explain the correct tools and techniques to cut out the subject for this image. Learn how to use the Pen Tool to create paths and turn the paths into selections. Create incredible selections and speed up your background cleanup.

Blend and Composite

Learn the secrets to compositing and blending multiple photos together to create seamless, stunning effects. From start to finish, you will see how each image is photographed, adjusted and combined using Photoshop.

Remove Hair

To achieve this effect you will have to completely remove the subject’s hair. Learn how to remove hair and add skin texture to the bald head to make it look real.

Blend Everything

See how to create new skin texture from scratch to combine the splashes with the skin on the subject’s head. Learn how to properly color, expose and warp each element to bring it all together.

Dodge and Burn

Learn how to dodge and burn in new ways to help blend images together. Alter the highlights and shadows to create extra details in specific areas. Use what you learn to add style and interest to any image.

Liquid Portrait


In this tutorial, we focus on blending your own images to create a one of a kind composite.

Retouch & Enhance Clothing

There’s no specific formula for creating a perfect skin tone. Follow along and learn different processes for adjusting these tones to keep your subjects looking great. Plus, receive a Custom Phlearn Action to make this step easier than ever.

Perfect Face and Eyes

Learn all the steps required to give your subjects face and eyes more focus and beauty. Pay extra attention to the eyelashes and eyebrows and see how to enhance these areas by painting in additional details.

Perfect Color Match

Create the most believable composite image by matching the colors perfectly. Learn how to adjust the colors separately between shadows, midtones and highlights to create an accurate and realistic color match.

Reviews

  1. Brilliant tutorial … as always!

  2. I accidentally deleted the file of the completed tutorial, is there any way I could get it so I could brush up my knowledge, don’t really have time to watch it from the beginning. Would be very grateful.

  3. Outstanding tutorial, it covers so much from retouching to compositing, so many tips and tricks for better and faster workflow, just great all around.

  4. We cover so much in this so gracefully that by the end your tool kit is doubled and your satisfaction is quadrupled! Another Top Lesson!

  5. In-depth tutorial! Definitely picked up some new tricks I wasn’t expecting to learn.

  6. Outstanding Tutorial! I’ve learned so much, thank you!

  7. Fantastic fun tutorial using a range of tools and techniques to create a very cool looking portrait. Quality entertaining instruction from Aaron makes the course enjoyable and easy to follow.

  8. Where is the download for the action and brush?

    PHLEARN Staff
    Thanks for your comment, download the sample images, actions and brush at the top of the page by clicking on the large red button. You can also click “Download All Assets” in the Table of Contents!
  9. Thank you for your work, I learned a lot of new tricks, I really love averything you do for us!

  10. love this tutorial, and even went so far as to shoot my own model so that I could create my own interpretation. Terrific work Aaron

  11. really a great class, i learn a lot in this class

  12. What a fun to do this tutorial, but when i see, this guy use the pen tool, OMG, i hate this tool. But when i see how easy Aaron use it, i wonder. Now i have to learn it of course. Thank you for this work Aaron, After useing PS about 10 years i learnd a lot of things with this work. By the way, your english is too fast for me :—) but i have eyes to see what you are doing, so i can follow you easiely. Now i Go to learn pen tool for the next great work. Thank you so much Aaron.

  13. Wow……one of the best tutorial i think. I will use it next time and upload my work. Thank you so much for sharing.

  14. (verified owner)

    This tutorial is awesome and I have learned beyond expectation. I also like to see when Aaron doesn’t like an approach and goes back and shows another way of doing things such as adding noise for skin texture instead of using the clone stamp tool. For a beginner like me it was a bit fast, but fortunately I have worked true Photoshop 101 – 301 so I was able to follow. Now that the work is done it is also a good reference file if I can’t remember how certain things are done.
    Thank you Aaron and PHLEARN team for this awesome tutorial. I have posted it on my Instagram and used the tag #phlearn

  15. (verified owner)

    Awesome Tutorial. It was a bit fast and I’m glad I did Photoshop 101 – 301, else I don’t think I would have been able to follow along.
    Anyway… I’m so happy and glad I did this, so many new techniques and tricks I’ve learned and can always go back to the reference file in case I forgot some stuff. Thank you Aaron and PHLEARN team for this awesome tutorial.

  16. (verified owner)

    This tutorial is quite attractive. Other courses are also practice slowly.

  17. (verified owner)

    This tutorial is great!I learned a lot and had super fun doing it and I learned a lot!!Thanks a lot Aaron!You’re a great teacher and an inspiration!!
    Here is my result. Cheers!

  18. Thx for great tutorial, was very hard! final coloring simply amazing, doing 30% of image. Compositing with head takes a whole day 🙂

    • Job well done!!

  19. So this tut doesn’t contain actual BTS video and some explanation through the shooting?

  20. (verified owner)

    Absolutely amazing tutorial!! I am learning a lot in here, thanks Aaron 🙂

  21. (verified owner)

    Yes, I understand the charge sales tax of your country. But…I’m overseas. Anyway…..thanks for your reply 🙂

  22. hey aaron you didnt change the bland mode to soft light of the manicen head detail that you did with the pen tool. ( section 6 head splashes about 15:40 ). btw sorry for bad english?

  23. (verified owner)

    Hi~ I have a problem about the payment. I got your Pro Tutorial for several time before, but this time to have pay a tax when I get this one. Is it necessary to pay this?

    • We have to charge sales tax for anyone who live in the state of Illinois, it’s just the way tax law works. I’m not sure how you got around it on your previous purchases, our new shopping cart is much better at administering these types of details.

  24. Olá tudo bem , não falo inglês e sim português . Queria parabenizar o editor por esse lindo trabalho .

    Queria sabe se posso comprar a aula via Paypal ? Lembrando Pagarei em dólares .

    • Yes you can pay with PayPal.

  25. My previous review is gone? I think it was a great PRO but I missed the Behind The Scenes-video in the PRO-package.

    • Hi Fredrik!

      Can you let us know what you mean when you said you “missed” the behind the scenes?

  • How to Use the Select and Mask Workspace in Photoshop

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Learn how to cut out subjects and remove backgrounds with Select and Mask in Photoshop!

And if you’re looking for a more advanced look at cutting things out in Photoshop, check out How to Cut Out Hair in Photoshop and Photoshop Compositing: Masking and Cutting Out Subjects!

Artist Credit

Image sourced from Pexels.

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select and mask workspace photoshop

select and mask workspace photoshop

MAKE ACCURATE CUTOUTS!

BEFORE

Quick & Accurate Cutouts

What is the Select and Mask Workspace?

There is certainly no shortage of tools for cutting things out of a photo in Photoshop. But the best tools are often the ones that make the job quick and easy while still providing a clean, professional result.

Select and Mask is a workspace designed to help you get the most out of automated selection tools, allowing you to make an initial rough selection, and then refine that selection until you’re happy with the end product.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Let’s explore how Select and Mask can help us make clean and accurate cutouts—even when working with a person in front of a bust background!

Getting Started with Select and Mask

You’ll find the Select and Mask option within the Select menu at the top of the screen.

select and mask workspace photoshop

If you’re following along, make sure that you’re using the latest version of Photoshop as we’ll be exploring some of the newer tools and features.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Once you click on Select and Mask, the Select and Mask workspace will open. This dialog provides a wide variety of tools and options that are designed to help you quickly select something in a photo, and then refine that selection so that it’s clean and accurate.

select and mask workspace photoshop

To begin, we’ll need a way to make a rough selection of the subject in the image. Fortunately, the Select and Mask dialog offers just that.

Click on the Select Subject button at the top of the panel.

select and mask workspace photoshop

This will use Photoshop’s AI technology to try and identify the subject and remove the background—all in a single click!

select and mask workspace photoshop

But we’re far from done. Notice that, when you zoom in, there are some obvious areas that Select Subject had trouble with.

select and mask workspace photoshop

You can use the Transparency slider located in the panel on the right to increase or decrease the visibility of any areas that were removed from the photo.

This can be helpful as you refine a selection, allowing you to more easily determine what’s part of the background and what’s part of the subject.

Now that we’ve made our initial selection, let’s start cleaning it up!

Refining Selection with Select and Mask

Locate the toolbar near the top left of the Select and Mask dialog. Here you’ll find a variety of tools that can help you add or remove areas from a selection.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Here’s a list of the available tools:

  • Quick Selection Tool
  • Refine Edge Brush Tool
  • Brush Tool
  • Object Selection Tool
  • Lasso Tool
  • Polygonal Lasso Tool
  • Hand Tool
  • Zoom Tool

Since our goal is still to work quickly, let’s start with the Quick Selection Tool.

select and mask workspace photoshop

This tool works very simply. Just paint over an area to either add or remove it from the selection. You can use the + and buttons in the top toolbar to toggle between adding elements and subtracting elements.

select and mask workspace photoshop

For example, if we want to remove that problem area we looked at earlier, we can use the Quick Selection Tool, with the option toggled, to simply paint over it.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Don’t forget that you can use that Transparency slider to make it easier to see what you’re removing!

select and mask workspace photoshop

Scan around the image and see what other areas the Quick Selection Tool can help clean up. Try using it in any gaps in the subject’s hair where the original background is still visible.

select and mask workspace photoshop

You might also discover that Select Subject also removed parts of the subject. For example, it missed a couple of the subject’s fingers.

To fix this, just hit the + icon within the Quick Selection Tool toolbar, and paint over the fingers.

select and mask workspace photoshop

It might take a couple of passes, but this should allow you to restore any areas that you don’t want to be cut off.

Some Additional Tools to Try

We’re not going to cover every tool in-depth, but there are a select few that we find ourselves using often within this workspace.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Select and Mask has its own regular Brush Tool that provides the manual control you might need to restore or remove the trickiest of areas.

select and mask workspace photoshop

There’s also the Polygonal Lasso Tool, which is great for adding or removing areas that have hard edges.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Simply trace around an object.

select and mask workspace photoshop

And you can quickly add it back into the selection!

select and mask workspace photoshop

This is also extremely helpful for larger areas and gaps in between limbs and appendages. Select Subject had a difficult time in the area between the subject’s hand and their body.

select and mask workspace photoshop

But the Polygonal Lasso Tool allows us to very quickly define the edges of their skin and clothing, creating a much cleaner result.

Working with Hair in Select and Mask

Hair continues to be one of the most challenging areas to select in Photoshop. We even have countless PRO courses that demonstrate all of the advanced methods for capturing and recreating hair detail in your selections.

select and mask workspace photoshop

But Select and Mask has come a long way, and there are some new tools that make selecting hair less of a hassle.

select and mask workspace photoshop

And what could be more hassle-free than a single button? Try clicking on the Refine Hair button at the top of the Select and Mask Workspace.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Wow! Pretty impressive for a single click. We’ll explore a little bit more with hair in a bit. But let’s first take a look at some of the other tools available to apply more general changes to our selections.

Shift Edge, Radius, and More

The panel on the right side of the Select and Mask Workspace is packed with sliders that can help you instantly apply more general changes to your selections.

select and mask workspace photoshop

You can increase the amount of feathering along the edges of the selection, increase the amount of contrast for a sharper look, and even shift the entire edge in or extend it outward if you notice fringing.

select and mask workspace photoshop

But be careful! Remember, that these sliders will affect the entire selection. Notice how our changes, mainly the Shift Edge adjustments, affected the subjects hair. Because the hair detail is so thin, shifting the edge of the selection in will completely remove that detail.

Back to Photoshop

Once you’ve completed most of your selection work within the Select and Mask dialog, you can output your work in a variety of ways.

select and mask workspace photoshop

In general, we prefer to output to either a Layer Mask, or a New Layer with Layer Mask. These options provide the most flexibility while allowing us to continue working non-destructively.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Once you hit OK, Photoshop will apply your selection using the method you chose. In our case, it applied our work as a Layer Mask on our existing background image.

select and mask workspace photoshop

We’re Not Done Yet!

From a distance, it may look like we’re done. But there are still several unwanted areas of background still visible around our subject.

select and mask workspace photoshop

This is pretty common! Layer Masks are something that you’ll constantly be tweaking and fixing throughout an edit. And Select and Mask is always available, allowing you to go back in and pick up right where you left off.
Don’t get discouraged if you’re constantly finding spots you missed. Just hop back into Select and Mask and use your preferred tools to fix and refine the mask until it’s as close to perfect as it can get.

select and mask workspace photoshop

You also may notice some of the original background colors sticking around along the edge of whatever you’re cutting out. Depending on what you’ll be using for a new background, this may or may not be a problem.

select and mask workspace photoshop

In any case, there’s a tool specifically designed to fix this issue. Simply check the Decontaminate Color box near the bottom of the right panel, and Photoshop will extend the colors inside the selection out towards the edges, covering up any linger background color.

Additional Cleanup with the Brush Tool

We’re just about finished, but there are some still some spots that could use a little extra care and attention.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Notice the dark, foggy areas in between the subject’s hair. Sometimes these spots might be a little too tricky to tackle in Select and Mask. But fortunately, it’s relatively quick and easy work with the regular old Brush Tool.

select and mask workspace photoshop

To fix these areas, first switch to a view of the Layer Mask by holding ALT or OPTN and clicking on the Layer Mask.

Select the Brush Tool and set the color to black. Then, set the Blending Mode of the brush to Overlay.

select and mask workspace photoshop

Paint over any spots where there you see those foggy details and watch them disappear!

select and mask workspace photoshop

And just like that we have a nearly perfect cutout of our subject, complete with fine details in the hair!

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    5.00 out of 5
    9 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Advanced
  • Length
    4.5 hours
  • Videos
    8
  • Software

Description

Learn the step-by-step process of creating a stunning conceptual composite in Photoshop. From cutting out subjects with precision to matching colors and lighting across multiple images, organizing complex composites, and adding realistic details, this tutorial covers it all!

If you’re ready to take things to the next level, in our bonus section, we’ll dive into the world of After Effects, where you’ll learn how to transform your Photoshop creation into a dynamic 3D scene.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 15 Sample Images
  • 1 Reference Image
  • 1 Sample PSD
  • 1 Sample AE Project File

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 | Course Preview
  • 01 - What You'll Learn
    1:22m
Chapter 2 | Creating the Composite
  • 01 - Organizing the Assets
    11:36m
  • 02 - Creating a Rough Layout
    41:54m
  • 03 - Match Light and Color
    39:48m
  • 04 - Integrating the Subject
    46:23m
  • 05 - Going into Detail
    38:00m
  • 06 - Fine-Tuning the Composite
    39:35m
Chapter 3 | Bring your Artwork to Life
  • 01 - How to Create an Animation in AE
    44:06m

Master Conceptual Compositing

CREATE STUNNING EFFECTS

BLEND MULTIPLE IMAGES

From Rough Draft to Refined Masterpiece

We’ll show you why it’s important to start with a rough composite. This will allow you to easily position and outline the relationships between objects, saving you time by avoiding unnecessary attention to minor details.

Cutting Out Subjects

We’ll introduce you to the fastest, most efficient methods to remove both simple and complex subjects from their backgrounds. You’ll explore automatic tools like the Select Subject feature, and more traditional tools like the Object Selection Tool, the Magic Wand Tool, the Lasso Tool and the Brush Tool.

Matching Color Like a Pro

Matching color and lighting across multiple images is essential for creating convincing composite images. We’ll show you how to use the Levels Adjustment Layer and the Color Balance Adjustment Layer to unify images taken at different times of day under diverse lighting conditions.

FINAL COMPOSITE

ORIGINAL BACKGROUND

Hands-On Learning

Get ready for an awesome learning experience! This tutorial includes 15 sample images and a detailed PSD file, all available for download. These assets are your guide, so you can follow along step by step and create your very own masterpiece.

Go at Your Own Pace

Enjoy a smooth learning experience and become a pro at your own rhythm! Dive into easy-to-follow, step-by-step sections that allow you to absorb the material comfortably. Whether you tackle one section or multiple in one sitting, you have the freedom to learn as it suits you best.

Advanced Compositing Learning Path

If you love compositing, we recommend exploring our Magical Compositing Learning Path. From mastering light and color with stock images to exploring mind-bending creations by guest artists, and even discovering some of our most classic composites, this learning path empowers you to bring your wildest visions to life. Follow this link to access the Magical Compositing Learning Path.

Bring Your Composite to Life

Create a Parallax Effect from Scratch


Whether you’re creating a simple animation or a complex visual effect, Photoshop and After Effects have the tools you need to make it happen.

GET CREATIVE WITH AFTER EFFECTS

Stunning Moving Scenes

Combine Photoshop and After Effects to create stunning moving scenes. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to export assets from a Photoshop project, bring them into After Effects, and then create silky-smooth motion and parallax effects.

After Effects Basics

Are you a Photoshop pro who’s never used After Effects? This course is for you! We’ll teach you the basics of After Effects, including how to organize projects, and work with a wide variety of images and assets.

Create with Ease

We’ve got everything you need to dive into the world of animation. Included in your downloads you’ll find both 18 PNG images needed and the After Effects Project File. And guess what? Our easy-to-follow tutorial will walk you through the process of creating a truly mesmerizing animation!

ORGANIZE YOUR FILES EFFICIENTLY

BLEND IMAGES SEAMLESSLY

Organizing Your Assets

We’ll teach you how to manage complex Photoshop compositions with multiple layers, groups, and adjustments. You’ll learn how to segment your images into foreground, mid-ground, and background, and how to maintain a high level of organization. You’ll also learn advanced Photoshop organization tips that will help you work more efficiently and facilitate future changes.

Blending Images Together

Compositing images can be a bit tricky, but we’re here to help! We’ll show you how to use techniques like the smudge tool to add depth and cohesion to your images, so that the viewer’s eye is drawn right to the subject.

Adding the Final Touches

Adding the finishing touches to a composite image can truly elevate its beauty. We’ll guide you through the process of enhancing your subject with captivating details, such as achieving the appearance of realistic backlit hair in an underwater setting.

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder – Class Instructor

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

View More Classes by Aaron Nace

Special thanks to Guillaume Meurice, Francesco Ungaro, 7inchs, TSvetlana Obysova, Olya Harytovich, Wendy Wei, John Cahil Rom, Ron Lach, Tembela Bohle, Engin Akyurt, and Saad Alaiyadhi. Images for this PRO course were sourced from Pexels.

Reviews

  1. Fantastic tutorial. It provides lots of instruction on using Photoshop and also ideas on creating a composite. I find I can keep referring back to this tutorial to enhance skills on making composites. The details of foreground and mid ground and background are fully explained as to the reasons why they are important and also how to create them and how to build the layer stack. Great work and please can we have many more composite tutorials.

  2. Awesome tutorial!!!

  3. Aaron… my god. I am speechless… Compositing is something I want to get better at and your teaching is very helping me out. But the After effects …. the power to be able to start from stock images and ending up with something like this just blew up my mind … thank you for opening this door for me.

  4. Such an amazing tutorial. I really love Phlearn and all the works of Aaron. Looking forward to the next!

  5. As always Aaron does an amazing job of walking us through all the awesome things photoshop can do. This was one of my favs for sure. And I will continue to watch all the how-tos he develops.

  6. Amazing as always! Breaking down steps into easy to follow snippets, noting keyboard shortcuts, suggesting optional methods – Aaron is truly a natural teacher as well as being a talented artist. Throwing the 3D hook in at the end guaranteed that now I’ll take the time to learn After Effects. Once you see it, you want to do it.

  7. I have been wanting to add compositing to my photoshop tool belt for years. Aaron breaks it down and makes something so intimidating approachable. Great work! Thank you 😀

  8. Aaron I really appreciate your tutorials thankyou. They are complex but in depth details make it great to follow. You are the best presenter I have watched.

  9. Another fantastic lesson from Aaron! I have always found his conceptual composites to be inspiring. Lately, everything I see on the internet is AI generated, nothing feels natural anymore. It’s really spoiled my motivation. So, This was a breath of fresh air and has inspired me again to do what I love.

How to Cut Out a Subject with the Pen Tool Photoshop – Day 26

  • Review
    5.00 out of 5
    10 Reviews
  • Difficulty
    Medium
  • Length
    1.5 hours
  • Videos
    6
  • Software

Description

Being able to quickly turn studio backgrounds into clean, solid-colored backgrounds is an important skill for any photographer or photo editor.

Follow along and learn how to clean up studio backgrounds in Photoshop! Make detailed cutouts of subjects (including hair and fabric), adjust lighting and color, and place subjects on pure black and pure white backgrounds.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

  • 4 Sample Images
  • 2 Sample PSDs

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Table of Contents

Course Preview
  • 01 - What You'll Learn
    1:36m
Example 1 - Pure White Background
  • 01 - Lightroom to Photoshop Workflow
    12:25m
  • 02 - Cutting Out the Subject
    21:28m
  • 03 - Coloring & Object Removal
    20:43m
Example 2 - Pure Black Background
  • 01 - Cutting Out the Subject & Extending the Background
    15:58m
  • 02 - Motion Blur, Coloring & Exporting
    11:31m

Pure White & Pure Black Backgrounds

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

Professional Background Removal


Learn how to take your RAW images from Lightroom to Photoshop and back again, removing distractions and turning a busy background into a clean, solid color.

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

CREATE PURE WHITE BACKGROUNDS

ORIGINAL

Clean Up Studio Backgrounds in Photoshop

If you’re a studio photographer, you know that shooting in a studio setting gives you the most amount of precision and control. And when you want to clean up your images, you need a post-production workflow to match. Learn how to import RAW images into Lightroom, send them to Photoshop for editing, and then load those edits into Lightroom for export.

Pure Black & Pure White Backgrounds

One of the most common requests you’ll get as a photographer or photo editor is to place a person or product onto a clean background. We show you professional techniques to take a subject captured on a busy studio background, and then replace the background with solid white or black.

Lightroom to Photoshop Workflow

Photographers love Lightroom. Photo editors love Photoshop. We love both! Learn a professional workflow that allows you to leverage the strengths of both programs, importing, organizing, and exporting images with Lightroom, and performing high-end edits with Photoshop. New to Lightroom? Check out the comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to Lightroom Classic.

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

CREATE ACCURATE SELECTIONS

Precision Layer Masks

Cutting out a person or product is one thing, but what do you do when that person or product isn’t entirely in focus? Learn how to cut out a subject and then adjust the Layer Mask to account for areas that are out of focus and for areas that are blurred by motion.

Universal Techniques

Whether you work with food, people, or products, the techniques you’ll learn in this course will help you quickly and accurately remove any background and replace it with a clean, solid color.

Advertising, Print & Web

Clean backgrounds make it possible to seamlessly integrate subjects into a website or advertisement and work more freely with typography. If you want to work in professional image creation and design, then these are essential skills that can help you in a wide variety of situations.

Professional RAW Workflow

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

clean up studio backgrounds photoshop

Work with RAW

If you’re looking for polished, professional results, you’ll want to work with RAW files throughout your entire post-production workflow. Learn how to import RAW images into Lightroom, send them over to Photoshop for precision editing, and then load those edits into Lightroom for your final exports.

Advanced Object Removal

Learn how to remove objects and distractions from a photo by covering them up with common tools like the Clone Stamp Tool and Spot Healing Brush Tool. Then, hide your work by recreating the natural noise and texture in the original photo. Master these tools and more in How to Remove Anything in Photoshop!

Accurate Selections with the Pen Tool

Photoshop has a ton of both automated and manual tools for making cutouts and selections. But when you need maximum precision, the Pen Tool should be your go-to. Learn how to use the Pen Tool to make ultra-accurate selections, while combining it with other tools to tackle softer, more detailed areas.

Class Instructor

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder – Class Instructor

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

View More Classes by Aaron Nace

Reviews

  1. Great tutorials, you make it looks so easy.

  2. Thanks Nace, Because of you I ‘ve learned Photoshop to a level that surprises even me. It has taken my photography to another level noticeable enough to well known photographer in Miami… Been with you for many year now that Im addicted to your workshops… Keep on Rockin…

  3. I really enjoyed the tutorial. Aaron has lots of great information about Photoshop itself and different methods of using it. His suggestions and examples are wonderful. Thank you, Aaron, for another fantastic course.

  4. A brilliant tutorial bout something always important to know how to do, not just for people… All your tutorials, specially the PRO, are so well prepared and presented that are almost like a face to face class. And now, using the Lightroom-Photoshop integration are even better. Thanks for preparing such great tutorials.

  5. Aaron Nace is an incredible instructor,, photographer, and Photoshop guru!! In this tutorial, he takes you from start to finish and covers how to make each image work and do what you need it to do. Having an image with an entirely black (or white) background is very helpful for just about everything. Social media, commercial work, and many other things. Great job Aaron and looking forward to so many more!!

  6. Million thanks Aaron for this amazing tutorial I took a good advantage of it! 🤞🏻🍀

  7. It is like a compact version of some longer previous courses. It is great that Arron shares small tips on every lesson. Thank you!

  8. as always, superb. You don’t pretend that it is all simple. You make it real and by leaving in your mistakes and then fixing them, shows a real time edit process. You do make the pen tool look so easy though. 🙂 Thanks Aaron PHLEARN On

  9. I found Aaron Nace a good trainer. This course is very helpful. Found the course easy to follow, the subject content is exactly what I need. The whole course is real life like so I can come back to refresh my understanding.

  10. All your classes are so amazing – thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously with the community – you are by far the best! and your company has one of the most diverse, useful, and relevant classes needed in today’s photography world.

Catalog > Free Tutorials > How to Use Split Warp in Photoshop 2020
  • How to Use the Object Selection Tool in Photoshop 2020

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photoshop 2020 object select toolphotoshop 2020 object select tool

USE SPLIT WARP TO RESHAPE CLOTHING

Tutorial Description

The Object Select Tool in Photoshop 2020 is a great way to make a fast cutout of a subject or object, no matter how complicated the background. Learn how to use the Object Select Tool in a variety of situations, and how it can help speed up your workflow!

While these new tools are helpful for getting started with complex cutouts and selections, there are manual tools in Photoshop that are best when you need precision. Learn about professional tools and techniques for making advanced selections in How to Change and Remove Backgrounds in Photoshop!

How to Use the Object Selection Tool

The new Object Selection Tool can be found in the Select and Mask dialog. Go to the Select menu, choose Select and Mask, and you’ll find Object Selection in the toolbar on the left.

There are two different options for tracing around a subject or object; Rectangle and Lasso. Rectangle will allow you to make a rectangular marquee around whatever you’re trying to cutout, Lasso allows you to draw freehand for a little more precision. We recommend trying both, just make sure that Object Subtraction is checked.

Just click and drag (or draw) around the subject, and Photoshop will use its smart technology to figure out what you’re trying to cutout. We found that is does a pretty good job determining what subject or object you’re trying to select, but the edges are rough. Select and Mask does offer options for refining the edge which you’ll likely need to use.

Like some of the other new automatic tools, Object Selection does an impressive job getting started with a selection, but for professional work, you’ll likely need to use more manual tools to refine it (or just use them from the start).

Catalog > Free Tutorials > Create a Pure White Banner for Websites
  • How to Create a Pure White Background in Photoshop

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BEFORE

AFTER

Download Sample Images


Click the link below to download the sample images and follow along with this tutorial.

Download

Images That Blend In Seamlessly for Print or Web

Whether your working with a website or with print, being able to cut out a person or product and place them on a plain colored background is an essential skill to have. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of cutting out a subject and placing them a on a pure white background.

Cut It Out

One of the most important techniques to master in Photoshop is the art of making accurate selections and cut-outs. Remember, your selections may not start out perfect. It’s okay to begin with a rough cut-out and then use a variety of tools to continually refine it.

Let’s start our selection with the Magic Wand Tool. This is an extremely fast method that will give us a good base to work off of. We recommend a relatively low Tolerance of 10. Hold down the SHIFT key as you select new areas to add to your selection. Once you have a reasonable selection of your subject, click on Select and Mask. Select and Mask provides a lot of options for changing and refining masks. Use the provided brush tools and setting adjustments to get a clean cut-out of the subject.

Once you’ve finished in the Select and Mask dialogue, it’s time to clean up any other portions of the original background that may still be lingering. Hold ALT or OPTN and click on the Layer Mask thumbnail on the subject’s layer. You should now see a black and white representation of the image – anything colored white is visible, and anything color black is invisible. Any white areas that are not part of your subject’s body need to be removed. Select the Lasso Tool and draw around any remaining white portions. Then go to Edit and Fill, then Fill that selection with black. You can then use the Brush Tool, painting with black or white, to clean up any areas of the mask.

Create the New Background

For most web and print applications, you’ll want a subject that’s on a solid colored background. The easiest way to do this, is go to Layer, New Fill Layer, and adjust the color to match the background of wherever the image is going. Once you have the Fill Layer positioned underneath your subject, you can crop and resize the background as you see fit.

If we expand the size of the background, we’ll notice that the hair of our subject is cut out of frame at the top of her head. Not only that, but on pure white, it’s easier to see the imperfections of our selection around the loose strands of her hair.

Let’s quickly create some more hair to replace the portion that was cut off and then make a finer selection around some of her hair.

Select Color Range

We’ll start by fixing our mask of the subject’s hair. Start by disabling the Layer Mask on the subject layer by holding SHIFT and clicking on the Layer Mask thumbnail. This will allow us to continue selecting portions out of the original background.

To get a more accurate selection of the hair, create a New Layer and then go to Select and Select Color Range. When the Select Color Range dialogue pops up, use the eyedropper to sample a color from the subject’s hair. It will show you a black and white representation of the image where whiter areas will be selected and black areas will not. Adjust the fuzziness and try sampling a few different areas of hair until you have a good amount of contrast between the hair (which should be almost completely white) and the background (almost completely black). Once you’re done you should have a nice selection of the subject’s hair. Now hide that layer and select the Layer Mask of your subject layer.

With the Color Range selection active, use the Brush Tool to paint with white and black around the hair on the layer mask to make more of the subject’s hair show through.

Add More Hair

To create realistic looking hair to fill in the missing part of the frame, we’re simply going to copy hair from another part of her head. Duplicate (CTRL or CMD + J) the subject layer, right-click on the Layer Mask thumbnail of the copy and click on Apply Layer Mask. This should give you a copy of the subject that is completely removed from the original background.

Using the Marquee Tool M, make a selection around the hair of the copy of the subject. Invert that selection by going to Select and to Inverse. That will select everything but her hair. Delete that selection. You should be left with a layer containing a copy of just the subject’s hair.

Lower the opacity of that layer a bit so you can accurately position it and hit CTRL or CMD + T. Move and transform that layer until you get a smooth curve that fills in the missing portion of hair on the original image. Once it’s positioned, bring the opacity back up to 100%, hit ALT or OPTN and select the layer mask of the new hair layer, and use the Brush Tool to paint with white to blend the replacement hair.

You’re left with an incredibly versatile image, ready to be perfectly placed on any website.

Catalog > Free Tutorials > How to Use Select and Mask in Photoshop
  • How to Use Select and Mask in Photoshop

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Tutorial Description

In today’s episode, learn how to cut your subject out of their Background using Select and Mask.

Where to Find Select and Mask

If you want to select a subject to remove its Background, you can use a combination of a bunch of different Selection Tools located in the Select and Mask dialogue.

First, go to ‘Select – Select and Mask’, or click any Selection Tool and check Select and Mask on the top toolbar. This option will only be available on version 5.0 of Photoshop and up, so if you haven’t upgraded your software, be sure to do so.

How to Use the Select and Mask Tools

Select and Mask makes selecting easier by putting all of the Selection Tools in one place.

The Quick Selection Tool will guess-select a section of your subject based on where you paint. The Refine Edge Tool works well on fine areas like Hair. The Brush Tool allows you to paint in any general areas the selections might have missed. The Lasso Tool will add to or Subtract from your selection in whatever shape you Draw. Hold ‘Alt/Option’ with any Tool to deselect instead.

Advanced Settings on Select and Mask

View Modes for your selection include Onion Skin and Black and White, which you can cycle through by hitting ‘F’. Edge Detection adjusts how much of the subject’s edges your selection includes, particularly around the Hair. Global Refinements can smooth, feather, shift, or add Contrast to the Selection Edge. Use the Output Settings to choose how the selection will show up in the document. In this case, we loaded it in as a Layer Mask.

Catalog > Free Tutorials > How to Create and Replace a Custom Background in Photoshop
  • How to Create and Replace a Custom Background in Photoshop

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BEFORE

AFTER

Custom Backgrounds

From cutting subjects out to switching Backgrounds to any Pattern of your choosing, this is one episode you don’t want to miss!

Magic Wand

First, the subject needs to be cut out from the Background. A great Tool for this is the Magic Wand Tool! Start selecting, and hold Shift to add to that selection when needed. A helpful aspect of this Tool is that you can change the tolerance; if you’re selecting too much, lower the tolerance.

The Hair is a little trickier than the rest of the Body, and we must refine the edge of the selection. Go to  Select ->Refine Edge. Choose the best view to help you out; in this case, we use the Overlay view. Click on the Refine Edge Tool, and paint over the edges of the Hair. Doing this will momentarily “erase” the mask from those edges, but will then select only what is similar to the remaining mask. In other words, it should perfectly select out only the hair.

  • We are going to use this selection to create a Layer Mask, and we want that mask to apply to all of our future layers. So, put the layer into a group, and put the Layer Mask onto that group rather than the layer itself. Now, any layers you add to the group will have the same mask applied to them, and you won’t have to worry about creating a new mask of your subject over and over.

Step and Repeat

To see how this process works, start by creating any shape and filling it with black. Next, turn it into a selection (hold Cmd and click on the layer).

Text-decoration: underline;”>Step: Opt + Cmd + T to select the Pattern. Move it to where you’d like and click enter.

Text-decoration: underline;”>Repeat: Hold Shift + Opt + Cmd + T. This will repeat the duplication that you just completed.

Custom Patterns

Dark Patterns on a Light Background are best for making custom Patterns. Go to Edit – Define Pattern. Name it and click OK. Nothing will happen until you go back to the image of your subject and apply it there. Create a New Fill Layer and select Use: Pattern. Select your new pattern in the custom pattern drop down. You can choose different options in the scripted Pattern section as well.


Helpful hints:

  • Photographing your subject on a solid colored background is key for this!
  • To turn any layer into a selection, just hold Ctrl/Cmd and click on the thumbnail of the layer.
  • Multiply is a great Blend Mode if you want your pattern to show up but include Shadows as well.
Catalog > Free Tutorials > How to Make a Sin City Portrait in Photoshop (Part 2)
  • How to Make a Sin City Portrait in Photoshop (Part 2)

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Cutting The Subject out from Green Screen

Shooting on a green Screen is a great idea if you know you are going to cut your subject out of the background. In this episode we show you how to select the green Color Range and define a Layer Mask with the selection. This technique will allow you to cut your subject out from the Background quickly and accurately.

After getting the subject cut out from the Background we show you how to remove the green fringing from areas like the Hair and edges of the subject.

Adding Style

After placing the subject in the image it is time to add some Style. In the case of Sin City, we are looking a high Contrast and low Saturation. This means making the Highlights lighter and the darks darker. We show you how to use Curves Adjustment Layers and Clipping Masks to isolate the Highlights and push them to make them brighter. You will also learn how to add Sharpening to the subject, helping him stand out from the background.

Adding Fog Effects

A big part of making Composite images come together has to do with layering effects over objects. In this image for instance we place fog over the subject, helping the subject look as though they are a part of the image, not just placed on top of it.

To add the fog to the image we duplicate the Background clouds layer and change the blending mode to Screen. Then we apply Levels to make the darks darker, making them disappear, leaving only the Lights behind.

Creating the Title

To finish the image we need to add a title, just like the original movie poster. We show you how to choose the right font for your project and how to Transform it into the correct position and perspective. We add Layer Effects to separate the Text from the background.

Creating a Custom Brush for Snow

If you have ever wanted to create snow or rain in an image, it is as easy as creating a custom Brush in Photoshop. In this episode we show you how to create random shapes on a new document and turn them into a Brush Preset. From there you will learn how to alter the settings of the Brush to add random Patterns, making it look more like snow.

Click Here to download the Snow Brush from this episode

Final Image

Sin-City-Final-910