How to Remove Background in Photoshop Elements

One of the most useful skills you can master in Photoshop is the ability to remove the background from an image. This lets you place objects into any image without worrying about blending backgrounds or dealing with unsightly blank spaces. Depending on how complex the background is, there are several methods to effectively remove the background from a photo.

Open the image in Photoshop Elements. This method works best when the background is a solid color or very close to a single color tone.

Navigate to the Layers window. This window is typically located on the right side of the screen. Most unedited images only have one layer, called the 'Background'. Right-click on this layer and select 'Layer From Background...'.

Select the Magic Eraser tool from the Eraser toolbar. Click and hold the Eraser icon. From the menu, select the Magic Eraser tool.

Adjust the Magic Eraser settings. Once you've selected the Magic Eraser, you'll see the settings appear in the top menu bar. Set them as follows:

• Set Tolerance to 20-30. A lower Tolerance means parts of the original image will remain when using the tool. Adjust the tolerance level until it suits your project.
• Check the 'Anti-alias' box.
• Check the 'Contiguous' box.
• Set Opacity to 100%.

Click on the background. The Magic Eraser will delete the color you click on and turn the background transparent. The Tolerance setting will also affect how many related colors are removed (for backgrounds with a gradient color).

Select the object. Once you're happy with the background removal, use the Lasso (the selection tool group) to draw a rough outline around the object. Press Ctrl+Shift+J to create a new layer via cut, which will place your object on a separate layer above the old background. You can then delete the background layer (Layer 0).

Save the image. You now have an image with a subject and a transparent background that can be placed over any other existing image.

Open the image you want to edit. This method will help you remove more complex backgrounds without losing the subject of the photo.

Select the Background Eraser tool. Click and hold the Eraser icon until the Eraser menu appears. Then, choose the Background Eraser tool.

Set up brush options. In the toolbar at the top of the window, click the arrow icon next to the brush. Set Hardness to 100% to ensure that the edges of the eraser match the center of the brush. Adjust the diameter to fit the current image size. This will allow you to create large, precise eraser strokes.

Set Limits to Contiguous. This will erase the color you select within the circle when you click on it. This ensures you're only erasing the background and avoids removing any colors from the subject of the image.

• If there are areas where the background is inside the subject (like a strand of hair that is partially transparent), use the Discontiguous option to erase background in isolated spots.

Adjust the Tolerance settings. A low tolerance will limit the erasure to areas that closely match the sample color. A higher tolerance will widen the range of colors erased. Set the Tolerance to about 20-30 for best results.

Position the cursor near the subject's edge. You'll notice a circle with crosshairs in the center. The crosshairs represent 'hot spots' that will remove any color inside the brush. These hot spots also help extract colors from the subject's edges, ensuring the color transition is smooth when the subject is later placed onto another image.

Click and drag to erase. The circle may overlap the subject while erasing without issue, but be careful not to let the crosshairs touch the subject, or it will erase the colors there.

Monitor the progress. Whenever you click and drag the mouse, you'll notice a checkerboard pattern appearing in the area you erased. These squares represent transparency.

Continue erasing around the object. In some areas, you may need to reduce the brush size to avoid accidentally erasing part of the subject. For example, in this image, you should adjust the brush size when erasing between the flower petals.

Focus on precisely erasing the edges of the subject. Once the edges of the subject are accurately outlined, you can use broader strokes with a standard brush to erase the remaining background.

Blur the edges. Use the Smudge tool if you want the subject's edges to appear softer, helping the object blend smoothly with any background you intend to use. Set a low intensity (around 20%) and drag the mouse around the edges of the subject. This will soften any harsh lines.

• The Magic Wand tool performs best when the background is a single color and there are no similar outlines around the image.

• The Magic Wand tool may delete part of the image if the background closely resembles the subject.
• If you save the file in JPEG format, all changes will be lost.

• Photoshop Elements software