Remove Background from a Picture in Photoshop (Beginner Guide)
This beginner-friendly workflow walks you through making a precise selection with Select and Mask, refining edges, and outputting to a non-destructive Layer Mask. You’ll learn to refine hair separately for better results and to add a new background color or photo. Everything stays editable so you can fine-tune at any time.
Step-by-step instructions
Open the image and enter Select and Mask
Open your photo in Photoshop.
Go to Select → Select and Mask to open the dedicated workspace.
In View, choose Onion Skin and set Transparency to about 50% to preview selection against the original.
Make the initial subject selection
Click Select Subject (Photoshop 2021+) to auto-select the main subject.
If there are multiple subjects, choose the Object Selection Tool (Lasso mode) and draw a loose loop around the one you want.
Use the Quick Selection Tool to add areas; hold Alt/Option and drag to subtract.
Refine global edges
Zoom in and switch View to Black & White to inspect the mask clearly.
Increase Smooth to reduce jagged edges, and raise Contrast to sharpen borders.
Switch View to On Black and move Shift Edge slightly negative to reduce halos/fringing.
Use the Brush Tool set to Subtract to paint away small defects.
Output to a layer mask
In Output Settings, set Output To: Layer Mask.
Click OK to return to the main workspace with the background hidden non‑destructively.
Refine hair separately
Select the Layer Mask thumbnail so it’s active.
In the Properties panel, click Select and Mask to re-enter the workspace.
Choose the Refine Edge Brush Tool and paint along hair edges; optionally try the Refine Hair button (Photoshop 2021+).
Click OK to apply the hair refinements to the same mask.
Add a solid color background
Click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon → Solid Color.
Pick any color and click OK.
Drag the Solid Color layer below the subject layer to see the cutout.
Manually fix remaining mask issues
Select the Layer Mask; press X to toggle brush colors (white reveals, black hides).
Paint with a soft brush to clean edges or restore missing details.
If needed, lower Mask Density in Properties to preview the original background; return to 100% when done.
Optional: One-click Remove Background
Select the image layer and open the Properties panel.
Click Remove Background to auto-create a subject mask, then refine via Select → Select and Mask if necessary.
Replace with a new photo background
Go to File → Place Embedded and choose your background image.
Scale/position it behind the subject and press Enter/Return to place.
