Removing backgrounds in Photoshop is one of the most common questions beginners have when first learning how to edit images and photos. Having a convenient and easy background removal tool in your toolkit makes it easy for beginners to work with images. Whether you’re creating product photos with white backgrounds, designing collages, or just want to highlight an object for a transparent background, knowing how to quickly and efficiently remove backgrounds comes in handy for everyone. Here are a few effective methods for removing backgrounds in Adobe Photoshop without resorting to external AI background removal tools.
The easiest method to remove background in Photoshop
Quick Removal Using the Quick Selection Tool
The Quick Selection Tool is the simplest approach for beginners who want to transform a photo background quickly.
Open your image in Photoshop.
Select the Quick Selection Tool from the toolbar (or press W on your keyboard).
Adjust the brush size in the top parameter panel.
Brush over the object you want to keep. Photoshop will automatically detect the edges.
Hold Alt (Option on Mac) to switch to subtraction mode and fix any selection errors.
After completing your selection, click the “Select and Mask” button in the top panel.
In the window that appears, adjust the edge settings for more precise selection.
Choose “Output to: New Layer with Layer Mask” and click OK.
Hide or delete the original layer with the background to create a transparent background.
Press W on your keyboard to switch to this instrument
Using the “Remove Background Tool”
Not too long ago, Adobe added a special tool to Photoshop to automatically remove backgrounds:
Select the layer with your image.
Go to the Properties panel (if it’s not displayed, select Window > Properties).
Click the “Remove Background” button.
Photoshop will automatically create a layer mask that hides the background.
This built-in background removal tool works similarly to AI’s background removal tools, but is integrated directly into Photoshop, making it handy for quick editing when you need to create a white or transparent background.
Using the Pen Tool and Background Eraser
For images with clear contours, the Pen Tool works best:
Select the Pen Tool (P) from the toolbar.
Carefully trace the outline of your object, setting anchor points. Click on the starting point to close the path.
Right-click on the path and select “Make Selection.”
Go to Select > Inverse (Shift+Ctrl+I).
Press Delete to remove the background.
Save your image in PNG or PSD format to preserve transparency.
For more precise control in certain situations, the background eraser tool can be useful:
Select the Background Eraser Tool (nested under the regular Eraser Tool in the toolbar).
Adjust the brush size and tolerance settings in the top panel.
Click and drag along the edges of your subject to erase the image background.
This tool is particularly effective for fuzzy edges or semi-transparent areas.
Tips for Better Results
Zoom in when working with small details, especially with hair or other complex edges.
Use a combination of methods for complex images. For example, start with Quick Selection and then refine details using the eraser tool.
When creating a white background for product photography, create a new layer with white fill beneath your transparent background object.
The Magic Wand tool can be useful for quickly selecting solid-colored image backgrounds before deletion.
More useful guides and tips on working with Adobe Photoshop and other Adobe products can be found at softexpo.com, where you can find the latest versions of software and training materials for designers of any level of training.
These background removal techniques are the most common and convenient, using them you can significantly improve the quality of your images and start creating more complex images. I hope this guide has helped you understand how to create clean white backgrounds for e-commerce products or transparent backgrounds for graphic design projects without using third-party AI background removal services.
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